Mississippi State football hoping to field complete special teams unit in 2024

We're now just over a week away from the start of the 2024 Mississippi State football season. We conclude our positional previews with a look at the Bulldogs' special teams unit.

Who makes up Mississippi State's special teams room?

Kyle Ferrie returns at kicker after a solid freshman season that saw him connect on 16/22 field goals while being perfect on extra points. Nick Barr-Mira, who was State's primary kickoff specialist in 2023, also returns and spent three years as UCLA's starting kicker. Barr-Mira is also heavily involved in the battle for punter with New Mexico State-transfer Zach Haynes. Haynes is far more decorated at punter, having a great career at SE Missouri State prior to joining NMSU, but Barr-Mira seems to be neck-and-neck with him. WR Kevin Coleman, who has plenty of experience as a kickoff and punt returner from his time at both Louisville and Jackson State, and fellow slot receiver Creed Whittemore are leading the way as return men. Veteran long-snapper Hayes Hammond returns as well.

Reasons for optimism in Mississippi State's special teams

For the first time in a long time, it appears the Bulldogs have multiple kickers they can have confidence in between Kyle Ferrie and Nick Barr-Mira. Considering the adventure that the kicking game has so frequently been at MSU, having any level of reliability at that spot is a huge plus. MSU needs to see major improvement at punter, but Zach Haynes has had success at his previous spots. And if Barr-Mira is pushing him, that likely means State has options. Both Coleman and Whittemore are dangerous in space, so they should be good for the Bulldogs in the return game.

Reasons for concern with Mississippi State's special teams

I couldn't tell you the last time State was good in all three phases of special teams. Kicker looks in good shape, but questions remain at punter. And though both returners seem promising, chances are slim that they'll match the production of Tulu Griffin and Zavion Thomas, who made up one of the nation's best returner duos.