Spring Outlook: The Specialists

AMES, Iowa - Here is a preview of Iowa State's specialists.

Specialists

Synopsis
Iowa State will have to face life without placekicker Cole Netten, who graduated as Iowa State's all-time leading scorer and most accurate kicker in school history.

The good news is that the Cyclones will return three-year starting punter Colin Downing (5-11, 185, Sr., Whitefish Bay, Wis.) and a plenty of options as Netten's replacement.

Downing has been ISU's punter since his freshman season in 2014. He owns a career 40.4 yards per punt average, the ninth-best clip in school history.

Downing had another solid season in 2016, averaging 41.1 yards per punt and earning a spot on the Ray Guy Award watch list for the second consecutive year. In league games only, Downing averaged 42.5 yards per punt, ranking third in the Big 12. He ended the year with eight 50-yarders and a career-long 67-yard punt vs. Baylor.

The battle for placekicking duties will officially begin in the spring. The top-two appear to be Chris Francis (6-0, 180, Jr.#, Dubuque, Iowa) and Garrett Owens (5-8, 180, Sr.#, Arroyo Grande, Calif.).

Francis has yet to attempt a field goal in his career, but has done a phenomenal job as ISU's kickoff man the last two seasons.

Owens has proven experience as a high-level kicker at the Division I level. Owens is a graduate transfer from Oregon State and was the primary kicker for the Beavers over the last three seasons (2014-16). His 32 career field goals made ties for seventh in OSU history and he made 71.1 percent of his field goals, the seventh-best clip in the OSU record book.

Redshirt freshman Eric Silvester (5-10, 196, Fr.#, Somers. N.Y.) is also in the mix. The left-footer was rated as one of the top prep kickers nationally in the class of 2016.

Iowa State is in outstanding shape with its crew of long snappers. Both Steve Wirtel (6-4, 214, So., Orland Park, Ill.) and Quinn Sonntag (6-0, 226, So.#, Des Moines, Iowa) return after stellar rookie seasons.

Wirtel handled the long snaps for punts and Sonntag was the long-snapper on field goals and PATs.

The Cyclones also return Kyle Starcevich (6-3, 220, Jr.#, Altoona, Iowa) as the holder on field goals and PATs.

Campbell On The Special Teams
"Colin Downing in my opinion can be one of the best in the country at his position. I think he has the skill set to do that. I was really proud of Steve Wirtel and what he was able to do as a true freshman long-snapper. Again, we need to have a freshman translate that success into his sophomore year and get better. We are really excited about the kicking position. We have great competition with Garrett Owens, Chris Francis and Eric Silvester. All three of those guys will compete for all three phases."

Players Mentioned

Colin Downing

Chris Francis

Cole Netten

Garrett Owens

Eric Silvester

Quinn Sonntag

Kyle Starcevich

Steve Wirtel

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