Normally not one of the glamorous units on a football team, special teams will play a big role if Illinois is to improve on its record this season. While the specialists on the team are solid, the Illini must make strides in both the return game and covering kicks and punts.

In our continuing series of pre-season previews, Orange and Blue News previews the Illini special teams.

The departure of kicker Chase McLaughlin, who graduated last year, will be a tough act to follow, but the Illini feel like that have a good battle on their hands to replace McLaughlin, who was the 2019 Bakken-Anderson Big Ten kicker of the year and a first team All-Big Ten selection.

Both Caleb Griffin and James McCourt have been battling from the onset of camp to win over the job. Thus far, both have performed well, according to special teams coach Bob Ligashesky, who himself displays a lot of energy and finesse on the practice field when putting his specialists through various drills.

“We are seeing both of those guys doing well thus far in camp, and they both do a good job of bringing out the best in each other, while also helping each other along the way. Right now, we’re working on putting each of them in certain situations and seeing if anything stands out from either candidate before the first game,” Ligashesky said.

Griffin has an electric leg, and played his high school football at nearby Danville, where he was a four-sport athlete for the Vikings playing basketball and soccer. Griffin knows he has a shot at the job, but must wait for that opportunity to present itself.

“I knew during spring ball that I’d have a chance to land the kicking spot, and I just worked hard during the summer months. I learned a lot watching Chase, and I like the way that he was able to lock in and concentrate on each kick that he made,” Griffin said.

McCourt has played the backup role the past couple of years, watching McLaughlin from afar and learning the trade from the departed kicker.

“Chase was locked in on every kick, and his visualization technique probably helped me the most,” McCourt said. “As far as the kicking battle in camp, we both go out and bring it each day. Some days are better than others, but we push each other, which makes for a friendly competition, but one that is spirited.”

On the punting front, junior Blake Hayes has solidified that position, and has become one of the better punters in all of college football. A stagnant offense during Hayes’ freshman season gave him many chances to show his talent, but with the Illini moving the ball more under OC Rod Smith, Hayes understands that a reduced role is good for the team.

“The number of punts that I had in my first two seasons were good for me, because it gave me some chances to get acclimated to the big stage and playing in front of big crowds, but we’re focused on winning, so if that means I punt the ball less, then I’ll just strive to do the best I can when called upon,” Hayes said.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Hayes has been a revelation for the Illini. His career average of 42.7 ranks second on Illinois career list, earning him third team All-Big Ten honors in 2018. He’s the best directional punter in the conference, with an uncanny ability to spot the ball inside the 20-yard line.

Whereas Hayes doesn’t have a backup in competition, McCourt has been getting a couple of reps here and there at the position.

An integral part of special teams is the fielding of punts and kickoffs, and Ligashesky has been working some guys out on the return unit, but right now are working on fundamentals as camp continues on. The Illini ranked at the bottom of the Big Ten in punt returns last season, averaging just 3.3 yards per return. The hope is that an influx of speed to the roster will help the return game.

“We’ve been working Kyron (Cumby) and Trevon (Sidney) back there, as well as a few others, and we want to make sure that we work on the simple things like how to catch a ball, as well as making sure that each of them get enough reps during the course of each practice.”

We may also see freshman Marquez Beason, another speedster, get a shot at returning kicks, along with senior Dre Brown.

Special teams were a mixed bag for Illinois last season. While the kicking game thrived, the Illini were near the bottom of the conference in kick and punt coverage. Losing the battle for field position made life even rougher for an Illini defense that struggled to stop anyone. Opponents averaged 22.36 yards per kick return against Illinois and 10.68 yards per punt return.

That’s obviously not going to get it done, and Ligashesky may opt for more frontline players on coverage teams this season.