2020 UCLA Football Fall Preview: Bruins Look to Replace Kickers and Long Snapper

Last year was a rebuilding year for the UCLA Special Teams. This year will be, too, because three special teams starters will need to be replaced.

Joe Piechowski

Aug 10, 2020

Collin Flintoft will look to win the job and become this year’s starting punter. (Photo Credit: UCLA Athletics/uclabruins.com)

We continue our 2020 UCLA Football Fall Preview , even though there continues to be a very strong possibility that there won’t be a fall season at all especially after the MAC postponed their 2020 season yesterday.

But, until the Pac-12 joins the MAC in postponing the season, we’re going to continue previewing this year’s UCLA football team.

Today, it’s time for a look at the Bruins’ special teams.

Last year, I wrote that UCLA would be looking to rebuild the special teams unit after a terrible 2018. In 2019, the special teams were certainly improved over 2018, but they still left a lot to be desired. I don’t know if it was the change in holders from Matt Lynch to Austin Burton or not, but JJ Molson struggled and only made 57% of his attempts last season.

Who’s Gone

JJ Molson has graduated as has long snapper Johnny Den Bleyker. Meanwhile, Wade Lees, who was a graduate transfer last season, has used up his eligibility.

Additionally, while he didn’t return many kickoffs last season, Darnay Holmes has moved on the NFL after being drafted by the New York Football Giants.

In addition to those three, punter Carson Olivas announced in January that he will no longer play football.

Who’s New

The big special teams addition to the team this year will be kicker Luke Akers. Akers is the son of David Akers, who was a six-time NFL All-Pro with the Eagles and 49ers. Akers’ arrival in Westwood may be big enough to help the freshman become UCLA’s new starting placekicker.

Who’s Back

With Wade Lees and Carson Olivas no longer on the team, the punting job looks to be wide open. Look for Collin Flintoft and Nicolas Barr-Mira to compete for the starting job. Barr-Mira and Quentin Wallace could also compete for the starting placekicking job if Akers doesn’t have a strong camp.

Redshirt senior Koby Walsh and redshirt freshman Jack Landherr IV are the returning long snappers who will compete to replace Johnny Den Bleyker.

Expect Kyle Philips and Demetric Felton to be the teams primary punt and kickoff returners, respectively, while Martell Irby and Keegan Jones may also end up returning some kicks.

Let’s look at the projected 2020 Special Teams depth chart.

2020 UCLA Football Projected Special Teams Depth Chart

That wraps up our look at the Special Teams as the Bruins head into Fall Camp. Stay tuned as we continue our 2020 UCLA Football Fall Preview.

Go Bruins!!!

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