This is the 10th in a series of 11 previews leading up to the Wisconsin football team's Aug. 6 start of practice.
July 27: Quarterbacks
July 28: Running backs
July 29: Wide receivers
July 30: Tight ends
July 31: Offensive linemen
Aug. 1: Defensive linemen
Aug. 2: Linebackers
Aug. 3: Cornerbacks
Aug. 4: Safeties
Aug. 5: Specialists
Aug. 6: Coaches
TODAY'S POSITION: SPECIALISTS
Rating (1-to-10 scale): 7
Projected starters: Kicker Kyle French (redshirt sophomore), punter Drew Meyer (redshirt freshman), kick returner James White (junior), punt returner Jared Abbrederis (redshirt junior).
Key backups: Kicker Jack Russell (freshman), punter Matt Salerno (freshman), kick returner Kenzel Doe (sophomore)
The breakdown: One of the bigger question marks surrounding the Badgers as the 2012 season begins comes in the kicking game.
Kicker Kyle French and punter Drew Meyer are tasked with replacing two of the best the Wisconsin program has seen at those positions. During his career, kicker Phillip Welch made 59 of 76 field goal attempts (77.6 percent) and 207 of 211 extra points (98.1 percent). He left the school ranked second in career field goals made, and his 384 career points were the second most by a kicker in the Big Ten.
Punter Brad Nortman played in 52 games and ranks third in school history with a career punting average of 42.1 yards and fifth with 199 punts.
Between French and Meyer, Badgers fans should be more concerned with Meyer. During the spring game, he had a rough go of it in cold, windy conditions. Meyer's first two punts traveled 25 and 35 yards, respectively. He steadily improved throughout the day, but he averaged just 35.9 yards on eight punts, and those numbers won't be good enough in the field position battle during Big Ten games.
French eased some concerns by drilling 8 of 9 field goal attempts during Wisconsin's spring game. Last season, he made 3 of 5 field goal attempts early in the year while filling in for an injured Welch. Welch went on to make 5 of 6 field goals, including a 52-yarder.
The Badgers should be set for another season in the kick return game, with do-everything player Jared Abbrederis back for his junior year. Last season, Abbrederis averaged 24.6 yards per kickoff return.
He also averaged 15.8 yards on punt returns, which ranked third nationally, and brought one kick back for a touchdown. Abbrederis' career averages for kickoff returns (25.8) and punt returns (14.1) are both school records.
Though Abbrederis likely will take on a greater role as a wide receiver with wideout Nick Toon gone to graduation, expect to see Abbrederis continue as the Badgers' main man in the kick return game.
"I think if I took him off punt return, he'd be the first guy to stand in my office asking to do it," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said during spring practice. "I think he really enjoys that."
James White could be back handling kick returns as well. Last season, he returned 15 kickoffs for an average of 21.0 yards.
Best position battle: Incoming freshman Jack Russell could have an opportunity to win the kicking job if French falters. Russell impressed during the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association all-star game this summer. He booted seven of his eight kickoffs into the end zone, made all four extra points and drilled field goals of 36, 29 and 49 yards.
Meyer's status as punter isn't necessarily set in stone if he continues to struggle, either. The only other punter currently on the roster is incoming freshman Matt Salerno, from Chatfield, Minn. As a high school senior, Salerno averaged 40.4 yards per punt.
Best of the Big Ten: 1. Nebraska; 2. Purdue; 3. Ohio State.
Nebraska senior Brett Maher is the top returning punter in the Big Ten after averaging 44.5 yards per punt last season. He tied for the Big Ten lead with 19 made field goals and made 43 of 44 extra point attempts. Sophomore Ameer Abdullah also returns to handle kickoff return duties. Abdullah averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return last season.
Purdue kick returner Raheem Mostert should give opponents fits for another season. Mostert was the NCAA FBS kickoff return leader as a true freshman last year, averaging 33.5 yards per return. He had four returns of 71 yards or more. Wisconsin fans might remember Mostert from his performance at Camp Randall Stadium, when he broke Purdue records for total kickoff return yardage and average per return, taking five kicks for 206 yards (41.2 yard average). He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his efforts.
Drew Basil will handle all kicks at Ohio State for the second consecutive year. As a sophomore, he led all Big Ten kickers in field goal percentage (84.2 percent) by hitting 16 of 19 attempts. He also made 36 of 37 extra points. Senior kick returner Jordan Hall tore a tendon in his right foot that required surgery this offseason, and his return is unknown. Last year, he averaged 26.3 yards per kick return and is a key weapon for the Buckeyes.
Drew Meyer says: "My leg strength is pretty decent. I'm still working on things technique-wise. I changed things up so the power is still coming along with the new technique. I'm working on being more consistent."
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