2029 Special Teams Standouts : 6 Early Specialists to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2029 Watch List has debuted with 125 freshmen prospects to know early on in West Virginia. Plenty more athletes will emerge and make their names known in the future, but here are the top specialist names on our radar after their freshmen seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>KICKERS/PUNTERS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1719305"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de58123"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Philip Barbour has a promising young specialist to build around in 2029 K/P [player_tooltip player_id='1719305' first='Ayden' last='Thorne'], who has delivered a strong and steady debut at the high school level for the Colts. Thorne has shown consistency and confidence as a placekicker, converting the vast majority of his extra points while also connecting on multiple field goals during his freshman campaign. He pairs that accuracy with solid leg strength, routinely driving kickoffs deep and showing the ability to handle punting duties as well. With his early production and well-rounded skill set, Thorne stands out as a reliable K/P prospect to know in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26736901/695f0f7ed856f9ca4a430fbd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de58498"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1968543"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de58501"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buffalo has found a dependable young specialist in 2029 K/P [player_tooltip player_id='1968543' first='Carson' last='Shock'], who has stepped into a varsity role as a freshman and quickly established himself as a scoring presence for the Bison. Shock led the conference in kicking points with 39 total points and has been perfect on field goal attempts, going 3-for-3 with a long of 34 yards. He's also shown consistency on extra points, converting 30 of 35 tries for an 85% success rate. With his early production and composure in game situations, Shock has laid a strong foundation as a high-upside specialist to know in the 2029 class as his all-around game continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CarsonShock/status/1987194342146986189","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CarsonShock/status/1987194342146986189 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112766"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de58560"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another varsity 2029 kicker prospect to keep close tabs on over the next three years as he continues to develop is Roane County's [player_tooltip player_id='2112766' first='Brock' last='Williams']. He was reliable in his freshman season, converting on 10/12 PATs and averaging 40 yards on kickoffs in 27 attempts. Williams will elevate his game as he further learns the technique of the position and adds size and strength to boost his leg power, but the early signs show that he'll develop into a future top specialist in the 2029 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26695019/6945732f9e6b933001ac815a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de5858d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER KICKERS TO KNOW WITHOUT FILM</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112765' first='Brady' last='Taylor'] (Preston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LONGSNAPPERS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716508"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de585e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">John Marshall has identified an early building block in the specialist game with 2029 long snapper [player_tooltip player_id='1716508' first='Braden' last='Storm'], who has taken on a varsity role during his freshman season. Storm has handled long-snapping duties consistently while also providing depth along the offensive line when needed, gaining valuable experience on Friday nights. His 6'2, 205-pound frame and athletic movement give him an ideal foundation for the position, and he's shown the ability to get downfield quickly in punt coverage after the snap. With his early exposure and well-rounded skill set, Storm projects as a long snapper to watch closely as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20227194/6911f812e2294d59ca77e8e1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de58609"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716517"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984b7de58657"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another young but promising longsnapper prospect from the 2029 class is Capital's [player_tooltip player_id='1716517' first='Timmy' last='McIntyre']. He's another freshman with great early size that gives him a great base to build on as he develops over the next three years at 6'1 240. McIntyre was a freshman varsity starter in his first year of high school and has a bright future as a LS prospect with the early size and experience he's getting on 14-yard snaps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TMacSnapping/status/1972656488146481465","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TMacSnapping/status/1972656488146481465 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->