Next-Gen Specialists: Top Special Teams Draft Prospects to Watch in the 2025 NFL Season
Special teams play is often the unsung hero of NFL success. A game can hinge on a booming punt that pins an opponent deep, a clutch field goal, or a game-changing kick return. As the NFL evolves, the emphasis on specialized roles continues to grow, making the evaluation of special teams prospects more critical than ever. With the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, several next-gen specialists are poised to make an impact.
The Evolving Landscape of NFL Special Teams
In 2024, the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots emerged as teams with strong special teams units. The New York Giants, despite some struggles, landed at 20th overall in special teams rankings, showcasing the variability and importance of this facet of the game. The increasing complexity of special teams strategies means that teams are looking for players who not only possess exceptional skills but also demonstrate high football IQ and adaptability.
The NFL’s new kickoff rule, similar to the XFL’s model, is set to change the game. This rule introduces a setup zone and a landing zone, aiming to enhance player safety by reducing high-speed collisions. As Tom McMahon, Assistant Special Teams Coach for the Baltimore Ravens, explained, the new kickoff rules could favor more dynamic returners. This shift places even greater importance on identifying return specialists who can navigate the new landscape effectively.
Kickers: Precision and Power
Andres Borregales (Miami): Borregales stands out as one of the top kicking prospects. Despite his smaller stature (5-foot-11, 170 lbs), he compensates with consistency, clutch performance, and a powerful leg. In 2024, he made all but one field goal attempt and was perfect on extra points, making a career-long 56-yard field goal. Borregales was a two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist.
Tyler Loop (Arizona): Loop’s journey is unique, transitioning from punter to kicker. He showcased his NFL-caliber leg with a 62-yard field goal in 2024. Loop earned second-team All-PAC-12 honors in 2023.
Ryan Fitzgerald (Florida State): Fitzgerald was perfect in 2024, going 13-13 on field goals and 5-5 on those of 50-plus yards, including an ACC record 56-yarder. After a disappointing 2022, Fitzgerald went 32-34 on field goals the last two seasons.
Maddux Trujillo (Temple): Trujillo has undeniable raw power. In 2024, he blasted a 64-yard field goal. Playing at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, gives him experience in a pro stadium.
Graham Nicholson (Alabama): The reigning Lou Groza Award winner is taking his talents from the MAC to the SEC as Graham Nicholson portals from Miami (OH) to Alabama. Nicholson was 27-of-28 on field goals last season with the Redhawks and hit 35-of-37 extra points. His career-long field goal is 52 yards.
Jonathan Kim (Michigan State): The Michigan State kicker, Jonathan Kim, is one of the most trusted in the sport. After four years at North Carolina, Kim transferred to Michigan State before 2023 and hit 13-of-18 field goals, including a long of 58 yards. He is also the Spartans kickoff specialist.
Punters: The Art of Field Position
James Burnip (Alabama): Burnip brings reliability and accuracy to directional punts. He played all 55 games of his college career. As a junior, Burnip earned second-team All-SEC honors, ranking fifth in the FBS in average punt yardage.
Alex Mastromanno (Florida State): Mastromanno is an intriguing specialist prospect with elite leg strength. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2023. Mastromanno boomed 66 punts for an average of 45.2 yards, including a long of 59 yards. He put 26 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line and had 19 punts over 50 yards. He also forced 37 fair catches on his 66 punts.
Jeremy Crawshaw (Florida): Crawshaw has the potential to become an immediate NFL starter. He punted 55 times for an average of 42.5 yards. He pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 22 times and forced 24 fair catches.
Jackson Ross (Tennessee): Jackson Ross had a monster freshman year and was a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2023.
Mitchell Tomasek (Eastern Michigan): A First-Team All-MAC performer in 2023, Mitchell Tomasek is one of the best punters in the country. On 67 punts, Tomasek averaged 45.7 yards and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 24 times. He had 20 punts over 50 yards and a season-long of 72 yards.
Return Specialists: Game-Changing Speed
Matthew Golden: A potential first-round pick, Golden is a speedster with sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash speed.
Jay Higgins (Iowa): Higgins offers special teams playmaking ability and production.
Darien Porter (Iowa State): Porter is a rare prospect with elite ball skills and speed (4.3 40-yard dash). He earned a 90.1 PFF special teams grade in 2024.
Ricky White III (UNLV): White had four blocked punts last season and has a nose for making plays on teams.
Star Thomas (Buffalo): Thomas is a dynamic player with the potential to excel as a return specialist.
The Overlooked Core Special Teamer
Carson Schwesinger (UCLA): Schwesinger enjoyed three straight seasons with good special teams grades. He blocked a punt against Fresno State in 2024. Schwesinger is a talented kick coverage team contributor and logged 15 career special teams tackles in college.
Jackson Hawes (Georgia Tech): As a freshman, he was a four-core special team member at Yale. He logged more than 300 snaps on special teams in his first two seasons, including on kickoff return.
Final Thoughts
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, these next-gen specialists represent a new wave of talent ready to contribute to the often-overlooked, yet crucial, aspect of special teams. Keep an eye on these players as they transition to the professional level, where their unique skills and abilities could very well determine the outcome of games.