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Tennessee football 2022 special teams preview: Kicking should be a huge edge

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks the ball during the second half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks the ball during the second half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks (37) punts during the second quarter of the Music City Bowl, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.Cfb Music City Bowl Purdue Vs Tennessee
Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks (37) punts during the second quarter of the Music City Bowl, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.Cfb Music City Bowl Purdue Vs Tennessee /

Starters returning on special teams

Paxton Brooks (Punter/Holder)

  • 6’6″ 201 pounds
  • Senior
  • Lexington, S.C. (Airport High School)

Last year, Paxton Brooks averaged a career best 44 yards per punt and pinned 18 inside the 20 despite a hurt hamstring. Taking advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling and returning to Tennessee football for a fifth season, he is preseason third team All-SEC and on the Ray Guy Award watch list. It’s likely he resumes kickoff duties this year too fully healthy.

Chase McGrath (Place kicker)

  • 6’0″ 198 pound
  • Redshirt senior
  • Newport Beach, Calif. (Mater Dei High School)

You can’t ask for much more in college than what Chase McGrath did. He was perfect on all extra points and field goals inside 30 yards, he hit all but one of his kicks within 40, and he hit a majority of his kicks from 40 to 49 yards out. Overall, he was 12-of-16. That reliability is a big advantage, and also back for his final year of eligibility, the USC Trojans transfer gives UT a huge edge.

Matthew Salansky (Kickoff specialist)

  • 5’11” 245 pounds
  • Long snapper
  • Morristown, Tenn. (Morristown West High School)

Here is why Will Albright is no longer on the roster as a long snapper. Matthew Salansky won the job two years ago and hasn’t let up. He’s done an epic job as a long snapper and is a huge reason for Brooks’ and McGrath’s success.

Toby Wilson (Kickoff specialist)

  • 5’10” 190 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy)

With Brooks hurt, Toby Wilson handled kickoff duties last year and did a great job. Very few resulted in balls spotted past the 25-yard line, but he’ll probably lose the job to Brooks this year.

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