Looking At The Best Of The Best
As we are into the month of June, that means the 2025 season is nearly upon us. For Last Word, we are in the midst of going conference by conference, counting down the best returning players in each league. We’re starting with the Big 12, and today’s focus is on the special teams. You may not always pay attention to them, but if your special teams guys are struggling, you’ll certainly know it. Let’s start the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists in 2025 with the kickers. One note, if a player transferred to the Big 12 from another conference, they don’t count for the purposes of this list. However, players transferring within the league are allowed.
Coming Through In The Clutch
3- Alejandro Mata– Colorado- An Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick, Mata finished the 2024 season with 91 points. As a junior, Mata hit all 55 extra points, which led the league. Furthermore, he made 12 of 15 field goals. Mata won conference player of the week honors after going 6-6 on his kicks.
2- Kyle Konrardy– Iowa State- Another Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Selection as a redshirt freshman, Konrardy had a big first season with the Cyclones. He nailed all 48 extra points and 21 of 28 field goals. As a result, he broke the school record for points in a season with 109 and also field goals. His points scored ranked 28th in the nation.
1- Will Ferrin– BYU- Last year’s Co-Big-12 Special Teams player of the year returns to Provo for his senior season. He led the conference and was fourth in FBS in field goals made per game. Ferrin nailed 24 of 27 field goals and all 41 extra points. As a result, he was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award. He heads into 2025 making 16 straight field goals and 71 extra points. For all of those reasons he’s our top returning kicker.
Moving on with the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists in 2025, let’s move to the punters.
Big Game Boomers
3- Oliver Straw– West Virginia- A returnee from last year’s list, Straw only punted 35 times. However, he made the most of them. The Australian native ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 43.7 yards per punt. He launched five 50 yards or more and had 12 downed inside the 20.
2- Tyler Perkins– Iowa State- Thanks to the Cyclones’ offense, Perkins only punted 37 times. However, much like Straw, he took full advantage of his opportunities. His 44.4-yard average was third third-best in school history for a single season. In addition, 13 punts went over 50 yards and eight were downed inside the 20. Overall, his career average of 43.6 yards is tops in Iowa State history.
1- Palmer Williams– Baylor- The top punter in the conference resides in Waco, Texas. Williams’ sophomore campaign was not only the best in school history but also tops in college football. He led the nation at 49.3 yards per punt. Williams had five punts of 60 yards or more, and 15 downed inside the 20. As a result, he’s a first-team all-league selection. More importantly, he’s our top returning punter.
As we finish up our look at the Big 12’s Top Returning Specialists in 2025, let’s move to the return men.
Ace Return Men
3- Dylan Edwards– Kansas State- The junior-to-be had a huge season for the Wildcats. Edwards did double duty by returning both kicks and punts. He averaged 20 yards per kick return and another 14 yards per punt return. Overall, he finished 35th in the nation in combined return yards. Edwards won the Big 12 Special Teams player of the week against Arizona in which he took a punt 71 yards to the house. In the process, it was the first punt return TD by a Kansas State running back since Darren Sproles in 2003. Coming off an MVP performance in the Rate Bowl, he’s poised for a huge year in 2025.
2- Jeremiah Patterson– Arizona- A season ago, the redshirt senior led the league and nation with 27 returns. Patterson also led the league and was fifth in football with 596 yards. He also returned punts, racking up another 78 yards on the year. Patterson cracked the century mark twice last year with 107 yards versus Central Florida and 102 versus New Mexico.
1- Josh Cameron– Baylor- The nation’s best punt returner is back for another season with the Bears. During the 2024 campaign, Cameron led the Big 12 with 290 yards on only 14 returns. In addition, he led the league and nation with a whopping 20.7-yard average per return. As a result, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and second-team All-American honors. He was so prolific that teams punted away from him in the final four games of 2024. For his career, he’s Baylor’s all-time leader in punt returns. He also heads our list of top return men.
As you can see from our list, the Baylor Bears have the special teams market covered heading into this season. Thanks for checking out the Big 12’s top returning specialists in 2025 here at Last Word On College Football.
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