Clemson Football: Three questions about the special teams

It’s the third phase of football that no one considers priority until you need a field goal or a big punt to pin the opponent deep in their own territory. Special teams have played a big role for Clemson Football in recent years.

BT Potter exhausted his eligibility and will now be attempting to make the roster of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Tigers will have a new placekicker for the first time in many years.

Clemson’s incumbent punter does return, but there will likely be a competition to see if he can hang on to the job.

Perhaps the most intriguing special teams competition of fall camp: the long snapper starter. During their media day, Dabo Swinney explained that there is a scholarship reserved for the winner of the competition. Holden Capsersen had that job and that scholarship last year, but he will have to defend it against Philip Florenzo in camp.

Here are the roster expectations as we approach fall camp.

Kicker

• Starter: Robert Gunn III (RS Fr)
• Walk-ons: Quinn Castner (RS Jr), Hogan Morton (RS So)

Punter

• Starter: Aidan Swanson (RS Sr)
• Depth: Jack Smith (RS Fr)
• Walk-on: Brodey Conn (RS Fr)

Long Snapper

• Starting competition: Philip Florenzo (RS Jr), Holden Caspersen (RS So)

Return specialists: TBD

Here are three questions about the special teams.