10 Must-Know Midwest Specialists Making Waves this Offseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to give the specialists some love! Special teams can make or break a game, team, or season, and for their importance, prep kickers, punters, and long snappers receive far too little attention and fanfare on the recruiting trail year to year. With the all-important summer camp szn fully underway, it's time for <em>PrepRedzone </em>to dig into some of the big-time, must-know names among the Midwest's top specialists and update our readers on 10 of the heavy hitters making waves on the gridiron and recruiting trail going into the next few cycles. You'll be seeing these names under the bright lights of P5 football in no time. Let's kick things off (get it?) below! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["133308"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The absolute superstar of the 2024 specialist class and recruiting scene, u003cemu003eMediapolisu003c/emu003e (IA) 2024 u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='133308' first='Drew' last='Miller']u003c/strongu003e is unanimously considered the top-rated punter in the United States and comes in at 6'2, 195 lbs. going into his senior season. This offseason, u003cstrongu003eMilleru003c/strongu003e saw a boatload of big-time offers come his way from the likes of Georgia, Texas, Michigan, Army, and Air Force, and also held previous offers from NC State and Iowa State. The U.S. Army All-American is an All-Conference and All-State pick as a punter, as well as an All-Conference and All-State HM selection as a goalkeeper, and in super exciting fashion, u003cstrongu003eMilleru003c/strongu003e committed to the college football heavyweight Georgia on May 19th to make for yet another superb recruiting pickup for the 'Dawgs. u003cstrongu003eMilleru003c/strongu003e averaged 48 yards a punt last fall and went 51/55 (93%) on touchbacks while handling kickoffs, and boomed punts of 70 yards (4.66 hang time), 60 yards, 55 yards x2, 54 yards, 50 yards (4.4 hang), 48 yards (4.32 hang), 42 yards (4.82 hang), and a ton of precise and intentional 4+ second hang timed punts inside the 10 showing pinpoint accuracy to the pylons and corners of the field, much to the stress of opposing returners and to the ease of his coverage team. Strong, flexible, consistent, and accurate, he's the best high school punter I've seen in my time covering prep football recruits and I'm pumped to watch him in the SEC.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Will Safris ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2442","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Johnston ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another Iowa-born stud specialist, u003cemu003eJohnston'su003c/emu003e u003cstrongu003eWill Safrisu003c/strongu003e is a highly-touted punter and kicker as well as an accomplished goalkeeper for the Dragons and just won a state championship to cap off his junior year. In addition to the soccer accolades, u003cstrongu003eSafrisu003c/strongu003e has been making waves on the recruiting trail, earning his first offer from Memphis on April 21st, and has received a ton of recruiting attention from Duke to go along with visits to Iowa and Iowa State. He also took a gameday visit to the Hawkeyes this past fall. Speaking of last fall, Safris popped off monster punts of 52 yards (4.8 hang time), 53 yards (4.1 hang), 56 yards (4.4 hang), 53 yards (4.5 hang), 50 yards (4.8 hang), 45 yards (4.3 hang), and a ton of directional capability as well as the skill to add hang time on his punts when necessary. He gives his coverage team an impressive amount of time to cover and pressure returners, which paid dividends to his defense and helped u003cemu003eJohnstonu003c/emu003e get deep into the Class 5A playoffs. u003cstrongu003eSafrisu003c/strongu003e is a must-know uncommitted specialist out of America's Heartland and is poised for a big senior year that will  match his big leg and big-time talent.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["831104"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Chicagoland product u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='831104' first='Nikola' last='Dugandzic']u003c/strongu003e has been on my radar for a while and opened his high school career in impressive fashion, as his first-ever punt went 63 yards and was downed at the 1-yard line. Welcome to high school ball, stud! With a massive leg as both a kicker and punter that is far from average as an underclassman, u003cstrongu003eDugandzicu003c/strongu003e is highly rated by third-party specialist services and got his recruiting journey going early with unofficial visits to Northwestern x2, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Illinois last fall. This spring, he kept the momentum going and visited Illinois, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Illinois to stay busy and enter the all-important junior season on a ton of major program's radars. He's no doubt one of the best specialists in the 2025 class, and his padded, in-season play backs up the impressive times and kicks he's popped off throughout the offseason, as u003cstrongu003eDugandzicu003c/strongu003e averaged 40.3 yards a punt with 12 landing inside the 20, as well as touchbacks on 20 of his 28 kickoff attempts in 2022. The All-Conference selection out of u003cemu003eNew Trier'su003c/emu003e highest totals are as followed:rnrnPunts: 64 yards (55 in air, 4.5 hang time), 54 yards 52 yards, 53 yards, 48 yards (4.22 hang, landed inside the 10), 49 yards (4.25 hang), 53 yards (4.4 hang), 39 yards (downed inside the 5), 47 yards (4.18 hang) and 40 yards (4.28 hang, inside the 10) while consistently backing up u0026amp; frustrating returners for visible reactions.rnrnKickoffs: 79+ yard kickoff (3.9 hang), 70 yards, 68 yards (4.1 hang), 69 yards (4.08 hang), 67 yards (4.28 hang), 75 yards, 67 yards (3.91 hang), and a successful onside recovery to go along with a ton of 65-70 yard kicks as well.rnrnField goals: 47 yards, 42 yards, 35yardsd, 26 yards (through contact)rnrnu003cemu003ePRzILu003c/emu003e will continue to monitor him closely as his recruitment develops and he booms more u0026amp; more punts, kickoffs, and field goals.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["254755"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Coming out of the Show-Me State and u003cemu003ePark Hill South High Schoolu003c/emu003e, 6', 175 lber. u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='254755' first='Mason' last='Love']u003c/strongu003e is versatile as both a punter and kicker and earned 6A All-State honors last fall to go along with All-Conference and All-District nods to boot. The accolades, to go along with his physical talent, helped prompt offers from Air Force, Army, Arkansas State, Navy, and Cal-Berkeley this offseason. There are a ton of major players sniffing around as well, particularly South Carolina, who u003cstrongu003eLoveu003c/strongu003e officially visited this weekend, and the standout specialist has also unofficially visited and/or received recruiting interest from other P5 standouts. The Gamecocks are particularly interested, and for good reason too, as u003cstrongu003eLoveu003c/strongu003e booted some eye-popping punts and kickoffs in 2022. Led by punts that included a 4.74 hang time, 4.65 hang time, 4.4 hang time, 4.61 hang time, and 4.53 hang time, as well as the ability to put precise backspin on the ball and directionally coffin corner left or right. u003cstrongu003eLoveu003c/strongu003e also showed he was more than able to consistently boot kickoffs through the uprights and out the back of the endzone, and could get some major height on his kickoffs as well, led by multiple 4 or 3.9-second hang time kickoffs and the aforementioned distance. The height he can produce on his kicks and punts is some of the best in the Midwest and the good ol' U.S. of A and it's no surprise his offer list is distinguished and continuing to grow. I can't wait to keep following his recruitment going forward.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Hollis Moeller ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2443","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Bishop Miege ","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Gotta show the long-snappers some love! An integral part of The Operation (snapper/punter or snapper/holder/kicker), u003cemu003eBishop Miege High School'su003c/emu003e 6'1, 210 lber. u003cstrongu003eHollis Moelleru003c/strongu003e caught my eye on the recruiting trail recently as the standout student-athlete earned an offer from his homestate University of Kansas in late May for an exciting first offer. Holding a 3.85 GPA and 33 ACT along with a 37u0022 vert, 9'5u0022 broad jump, and 4.18 short-shuttle, it's no wonder the rising senior specialist also excels as a TE, and u003cstrongu003eMoelleru003c/strongu003e has also unofficially visited Indiana and Iowa this spring. Strong, accurate, and athletic, u003cstrongu003eMoeller'su003c/strongu003e older brother is also currently a Jayhawk, so keep an eye on KU as his recruitment continues to evolve.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["434647"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Another Land of Lincoln specialist to know, u003cemu003eNaperville Central'su003c/emu003e rising senior stud kicker u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='434647' first='Logan' last='Ellison']u003c/strongu003e is highly-rated and has seen his hard work pay off this offseason with his first collegiate offer coming in during March from the Air Force Academy. The 6', 190 lber. also visited Ole Miss and Notre Dame this offseason, and during the fall he checked out Northwestern and Notre Dame as well. Handling kickoffs, punts, and field goals, u003cstrongu003eEllisonu003c/strongu003e displayed a heckuva boot, which as well as accuracy on his punts and field goals, a clutch and calm demeanor that helped him convert game-winning, pressure-filled FGs, as well as get punts off through pressure and oncoming rushers. I also like how he gave his coverage teams a ton of time to locate and potentially eliminate returners while negating any type of return gain. u003cstrongu003eEllison'su003c/strongu003e balanced, versatile, strong, and accurate specialist game will fit in nicely in college special teams setting and I can't wait to see how he's upped his game as a senior.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["383710"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another stud K/P vying for the top spot in the 2025 specialist rankings, u003cemu003eMarquette University'su003c/emu003e u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='383710' first='Erik' last='Schmidt']u003c/strongu003e is already our #1 rated Wisconsin specialist and #30 overall rated prospect and has the offer list to back it up, as the home state, high-powered Wisconsin Badgers became his first collegiate offer in May. The 6'2, 185 lber. is highly touted as both a kicker and punter, and u003cstrongu003eSchmidtu003c/strongu003e had a strong sophomore season in 2022 and opens his tape with an impressive 51-yard game-winning, go-ahead FG in clutch and strong-legged fashion. u003cstrongu003eSchmidtu003c/strongu003e also converted 49-yard, 47-yard, 36-yard x2 FGs in 2022, and his first punt on tape is a beautiful 60+ yarder that hangs in the air so long the Arrowhead returner is forced to fair catch at near his own 5-yard line, which I'm sure drove the opposing special team's coordinator nuts. u003cstrongu003eSchmidtu003c/strongu003e posted some more season highs:rnrn68-yard kickoff w/4-second HT, 69-yard kickoff w/4-second HT, 69-yard KO with 3.8 HTrnrn48-yard punt with 3 seconds of hang time, 37-yard punt with 4.4 hangtime, 47-yard with 4.3 HTrnrnThe rising junior can effortlessly pop the ball far downfield and in very impressive fashion, has a clutch gene that can't be taught and allows him to create big, momentum-shifting plays on special teams on kicks and punts alike. The natural talent and clutch mentality are a very promising and exciting combination. No wonder the Badgers couldn't ignore it any longer!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["293783"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Reppin' the great state of Ohio, u003cemu003eBishop Fenwick'su003c/emu003e stud specialist u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='293783' first='Derek' last='Morris']u003c/strongu003e recently saw his recruitment kick off (bad pun, I can't help myself) with an offer from the United State Naval Academy this past week. This followed unofficial visits to Washington, Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Minnesota going back to the fall. It's a hot start for the promising kicker, who had a strong junior season that saw him complete FGs of 47-yards, 37 yards, 42 yards, 49 yards, and 36 yards, not to mention multiple more completed FGs inside 35 yards, and u003cstrongu003eMorrisu003c/strongu003e was also more than capable of consistently booting the ball out of the back of the endzone on kickoffs. His strong leg, accuracy, technique, and poise are all noticeable and impressive on tape, and u003cstrongu003eMorrisu003c/strongu003e also handled punts in 2022, recording punts of 70, 67, and 68 yards on his junior highlight tape. Great call by Navy to get involved first, more offers are coming.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Spencer Porath","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Brownsburg ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"I adore u003cemu003eBrownsburg Bulldogu003c/emu003e recruits, and that 100% applies to their specialists, which in this case means 6'1, 185 lb. K/P u003cstrongu003eSpencer Porathu003c/strongu003e. The 2024 specialist is highly ranked as both a kicker and punter and in 2022 he was the state leader in touchbacks (60) and also completed 5 FGs with a long of 44 yards and a 100% success rate on his PATs. u003cstrongu003ePorath'su003c/strongu003e hard work, determination, and on-field success have paid off big-time this offseason, as the standout specialist has earned offers from Indiana (PWO), Army, and Air Force, and also visited Purdue on an exciting unofficial visit in early March. Great technique, accuracy, power, and consistency, u003cstrongu003ePorathu003c/strongu003e is an absolute weapon in the field position and point-scoring game and is a name to watch in the Midwest scholarship specialist discussion. His natural talent also extends to his multi-sport background, where he excels in basketball for the 'Dogs.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["466343"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"The young buck of this feature, 2026 u003cemu003eCathedralu003c/emu003e (IN) standout K/P u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='466343' first='Van' last='Krisiloff']u003c/strongu003e measures in at a still-growing 6', 150 lbs and is off to the races in the recruiting game, having already unofficially checked out Notre Dame, Indiana, and Ball State this offseason. He manufactured an impressive 40% successful onside kick recovery rate last fall, as well as going 39/40 on PATs, 4/5 on FGs with a long of 35 yards and showing off a clutch kicking rate of 18/19 successful boots during the 2022 playoffs. Timing, accuracy, poise, and technique are all visible in droves from his freshman season and P5 programs across the Midwest should be very excited about how u003cstrongu003eKrisiloffu003c/strongu003e continues to grow and develop his game. Indiana is full of stud specialists, and amongst the 2026s, u003cstrongu003eKrisiloffu003c/strongu003e is currently leading the pack.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6485bb5589e03"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Other Midwest Specialists to Watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce Clark</strong> (<em>Eureka</em>, MO) K/P. 2024. 6'2, 175 lbs. Benedictine College offer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Stumpf</strong> (<em>Maine South</em>, IL) 2024. P/K. 6'2, 190 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Holden</strong> (Dublin Jerome, OH) 2024. K/P. First Team All-District, First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Ohio</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bradyn Cory</strong> (<em>North Polk</em>, IA) 2024. P. 5'11, 170 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Plate</strong> (<em>Plymouth</em>, WI) 2024. K. First Team All-State, 2x First Team All-Conference. Visited Notre Dame unofficially </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rudy Kessinger</strong> (<em>Bishop Watterson</em>, OH) 2024. K. 6'3, 185 lbs. First Team All-State. Visited Pitt, Miami (OH), Eastern Michigan unofficially</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Ryerse</strong> (<em>East Ridge</em>, MN) 2025. K/P. All-District. Unofficially visited St. Thomas. Brother was a scholarship kicker for Minnesota. Also a stud baseball player </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lance Alderton</strong> (<em>Fort Zumwalt West</em>, MO) 2026. LS. 5'8, 165 lbs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nic Calvaruso</strong> (<em>Helias Catholic</em>, MO) 2026. K. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->