Top 5 special teams players to watch out for in Week 4 of college football ft. Lloyd Avant
While the contributions of special teams players are often overlooked, they can play a major role in determining the outcome of a game as fans have seen so far in the 2024 college football season. The first three weeks of the season have already seen 30 separate Division I players return either a kick or punt for a touchdown.
Additionally, several kickers have made an impact with 47 making at least five field goals and 61 making at least 10 extra points.
Here's a look at five special teams players to watch out for heading into Week 4.
Top 5 special teams players to watch out for in Week 4 of college football
#1. Lloyd Avant
Lloyd Avant has had a big season returning kickoffs for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The three-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class has returned six kickoffs for 197 yards and a touchdown. He has shown big-play ability, which should continue when the Golden Hurricane visits the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in Week 4.
#2. DeAndre Buchannon
DeAndre Buchannon is another player who has displayed elite returning ability in his young career. The three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class has returned nine kickoffs for 274 yards this season after returning 23 for 604 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman last year.
The Georgia Southern Eagles will have their toughest matchup of the season as they visit the No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels.
#3. Jamaal Pritchett
Jamaal Pritchett has thrived as a punt returner this season, returning four punts for 129 yards and a touchdown. The unranked prospect in the 2021 recruiting class has returned nine punts for 196 yards and a touchdown in his career. He will look to continue that performance when the South Alabama Jaguars visit the Appalachian State Mountaineers on Thursday.
#4. Ryan Fitzgerald
Ryan Fitzgerald has been perfect kicking the football this year as he is 2-for-2 on extra points and 6-for-6 on field goals. He converted a 59-yarder, the longest of any kicker this college football season, against Georgia Tech in the season opener.
The two-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class is 166-170 on extra points and 51-67 on field goals over his five-year career with the Florida State Seminoles. He will look to build on his strong season against the California Golden Bears in Week 4.
#5. Dominic Zvada
Dominic Zvada has made all seven extra point attempts and all five field goal attempts, one of which came from 55 yards out, for the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines.
The unranked prospect in the 2022 recruiting class is 78-79 on extra point attempts and 39-45 on field goal attempts during his three-year career. He will look to remain clutch against the No. 11 USC Trojans.