GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman's special teams are primed for another solid year with the return of several key performers.

The headliner of the group, Ian Williams (6-3, 218, R-Sr.), appears set to hold down three key duties this fall —  placekicker, kickoffs, and punter — and is already established as the best in the Southern Conference in two of the three roles.

"We're looking for another big season out of Ian," said head coach Clay Hendrix this week.  "He's coming off a great year, has a big leg, and is consistent."

A preseason All-SoCon pick by league head coaches, Williams connected on 18-of-24 field goals in 2023, including a career long 52-yarder in a win over East Tennessee State, and was a perfect 21-of-21 in shared PAT work to finish with a team best 75 points.  Equally impressive was his unmatched performance on kickoffs, where he deposited 54 of 74 kicks for touchbacks (league best 72.9 percentage).  In his two seasons as a Paladin he's registered 104 touchbacks on 158 kickoffs, with only one one going out of bounds (on an onside kick that should have been recovered).

Williams' added role of punter this fall holds promise for more stellar results.

"He has a chance to be a difference maker as our punter," Hendrix added.

Williams' backup at placekicker and on kickoffs appears to be newcomer Nathan Chapman (5-11, 176, Fr.), with Noah Rios (5-10, 190, R-Jr.) also in the picture.

Competing for backup punting duties are Gray Gitter (6-0, 160, R-Fr.) and Dawson Jones (5-11, 178, R-So.).

Jones could also hold on placements, but the top candidate there is reserve quarterback Luke Hedrick (5-11, 190, R-Jr.).

Replacing graduated All-America snapper Julian Ashby will be a challenge the Paladins look to meet from among a host of contenders, including Riley Smith (6-1, 195, Fr.), Jacob Hefner (6-2, 205, R-Fr.), and PJ Meyers (6-6, 237, R-Jr.).  The Paladins could also call on John Holbrook (6-4, 200, Fr.), who is set to see action at wide receiver this fall.

Furman sports experienced return guys on both punt and kickoff units.

Joshua Harris (6-2, 198, Sr.), the Paladins' returning preseason All-SoCon wide receiver, has averaged 7.6 yards on 24 career punt returns. 

On kickoffs look for Colton Hinton (5-11, 175, So.) to be the primary threat after logging 10 returns (23.1 avg.) a year ago in a freshman campaign that saw him catch 34 passes and a pair of touchdowns.  He was a coaches preseason All-SoCon pick as a return specialist at last month's SoCon media day.

After recording 10 blocked kicks (PATs, FGs) and punts in 2022, the Paladins combined to deflect only four a year ago, but emphasis on the critical area will remain under veteran special teams coordinator Tommy Spangler.