Tennessee football 2018 preview by position: Vols special teams

Projected backups

Place-kicker

Ryan Tice; Senior; 6’1″ 172 lbs; Saline, Mich.

A transfer from the Michigan Wolverines, Ryan Tice is the only graduate transfer that likely won’t play this year. Jeremy Pruitt probably brought him in to give Cimaglia competition, but he hasn’t proven anything. Tice is perfect on extra points, but he missed the one field goal attempt of his career in 2016.

Laszlo Toser; Junior; 5’8″ 194 lbs; Ooltewah, Tenn.

Another kicker on the roster for Tennessee football, Laszlo Toser was in the spring game. But it’s hard to see him actually playing at all. Tice and Cimaglia have both proven themselves at the college level, and Pruitt wouldn’t bring in Tice to be a third-stringer.

Backup Punter

Joe Doyle; r-Freshman; 6’0″ 201 lbs; Knoxville, Tenn.

Joe Doyle was the guy expected to be in competition with Paxton Brooks for starting punter. Unless something crazy happens, though, the job goes to Brooks. However, Trevor Daniel was in Doyle’s spot back in 2015. So anything could happen.

Grayson Pontius; Junior; 6’1″ 182 lbs; Biloxi, Miss.

Another punter who is just on the roster, Grayson Pontius is just a body. He’s probably the least likely of the kickers to see any action whatsoever. Simply put, the punter position altogether doesn’t have a lot of competition.

Long-snappers

Jake Yelich; Sophomore; 6’2″ 226 lbs; Crown Point; Ind.

Again, this is just another body. But Jake Yelich can provide depth at long-snapper. And as the youngest guy at the position, maybe he’ll see action in the future.