Welcome back to our countdown of the best returning players in college football. This is the second in our series focusing on the Power Four conferences. Previously, we looked at the Big 12. Today’s focus shifts to the Big Ten. As we always say, you may not pay attention to special teams. However, if they are struggling, you’ll certainly know. Let’s start the Big Ten’s Top Returning Specialists in 2025 with the kickers. One note, if a player transferred to the Big Ten from another conference, they don’t count for the purposes of this list. However, players transferring within the league are allowed.
Who Are The Best Special Teams Players?
Coming Through In The Clutch
3- Atticus Sappington– Oregon- The redshirt senior had a big first season for the Ducks after transferring from Oregon State. He connected on 41 of 43 extra points and 14 of 16 field goals. However, he was money inside 40 yards, going 11 for 11. Sappington finished third in the Big Ten in field goal percentage and made honorable mention all-conference. He’s an important cog for the defending conference champs
2- Drew Stevens– Iowa- The senior is a three-time All-Big Ten performer and a two-time Lou Groza Award semi-finalist. A season ago, Stevens nailed all 40 extra point attempts and 20 of 23 field goals. For his career, he has 245 points, which ranks seventh in school history. Furthermore, his 54 career makes place him fourth. Stevens also has the school record with eight 50-yard field goals.
1- Dominic Zvada – Michigan-In a league full of really good kickers, Zvada tops the list. A first-team All-Big Ten and All-American last season, the senior hit on 26 of 27 extra points and 21 of 22 field goals. His 95.5 field goal percentage set a school record. In addition, Zavda was a Lou Groza Award semi-finalist, something he also attained in 2022.
Continuing on with the Big Ten’s Top Returning Specialists in 2025, let’s look at some ace punters.
Big Game Boomers
3- Atticus Bertrams– Wisconsin- We’re not sure what the correlation between the name Atticus and great special teams players is, but here we are. Last season, the Australian native averaged 45.3 yards per kick, placing him fourth in the league. In addition, he was third in total yards with 2,491. Bertrams also landed 20 kicks inside the 20.
2- Ryan Eckley– Michigan State- The redshirt junior led the conference, averaging 47.9 yards per punt. That was the third highest total in Spartans history. Furthermore, Eckley had 20 punts of 50 yards, landed six inside the 20, and two inside the ten. As a result, he was named second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches.
1- Rhys Dakin– Iowa- During his freshman year, Dakin averaged 44.1 yards per kick, third best in the league. He finished second in the league with 2,822 yards. In addition, he led the Big Ten with 29 punts inside the 20, 33 fair catches, and 16 of more than 50 yards. For all of those reasons, Dakin picks up another top honor, Last Word On College Football’s top returning punter.
Only one more category left as we are counting down the Big Ten’s Top Returning Specialists for 2025. Let’s focus on the kickoff and punt returner.
Ace Return Men
3- Makai Lemon– USC- The Trojans’ top receiver in 2024, Lemon is also one of the best return men in the Big Ten. As a sophomore, he ranked second in the league with 514 kick return yards. He also placed third with 19 returns and a 27.1-yard average. Lemon begins 2025 on the watch lists for both the Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung Awards.
2- Hank Beatty– Illinois- A season ago, the senior-to-be led the league with a 14.1-yard average per punt return. In addition, that number placed him fourth in the nation. His 310 yards is the second most in a season in school history. Beatty trails on Dike Eddleman’s 323 yards way back in 1947. He finished third team All-Big Ten and looks to move up in 2025.
1- Kaden Wetjen– Iowa- Wetjen’s handles double duty for the Hawkeyes. In 2024, he led the Big Ten is kickoff returns (29), return yards (727), and a 28-yard average per return. If that wasn’t enough, the senior led the conference in punt returns (26) and total yards (328). He was second to Beatty with a 12.6-yard average. Not surprisingly, he was the first team All-Big Ten return specialist and tops our list as well.
One thing we’ve learned over the years is that the Hawkeyes always have good special teams. They landed a player on all three of our lists. There you have our countdown of the Big Ten’s Top Returning Specialists in 2025. Thanks for checking this and all the other great content out here at Last Word On College Football.
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