GREENVILLE, S,C. -- Furman special teams boast a bonafide triple threat kicker/punter, complemented by a solid cast of experienced performers heading into the 2025 season.

The triple threat is Ian Williams (6-4, 226, Gr.), a consensus All-Southern Conference placekicker a year ago and the top kickoff specialist in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).  A recent Stats Perform Preseason All-America first team pick as a placekicker, he completes the talent trifecta with solid punting ability.

"Ian's had a solid career here, a guy with a big leg and the ability to put the ball into the end zone," said head coach Clay Hendrix.  "His range on field goals is outstanding, and he's made perhaps his biggest strides in punting, improving his consistency.  Last year he was thrown into that role and performed pretty well, but now we hope to see more of those big punts that will boost his average and net punting."

A year ago Williams connected on 14-of-20 field goal attempts, 24-of-25 PATs, and registered 43 touchbacks of 49 kickoffs.  In addition he averaged 40.6 yards on 60 punts.

Williams set a new Furman record with a SoCon season best 57-yard field goal in a 48-7 win over Stetson and matched it with another 57-yarder in the season finale versus Mercer.  His 64.0 kickoff yards average in 2024 led the league and 87.8 touchback kickoff percentage easily paced the SoCon, with the second highest percentage at 48.2 percent.  Only five of his kickoffs last fall were returned and for only a 12.0 ypa average — the lowest (best) in the FCS.  

Williams has connected on 42-of-56 field goals and has had only one kickoff go out-of-bounds in 207 kicks over Furman tenure.

Snapping duties appear to be in the capable hands of Riley Smith (6-1, 200, So.) who took over the chores on long snaps a year ago and will add short snaps this fall.

Also in the wings at snapper are bandits Mason Keely (6-0, 230, Fr.) and Griffin Farmery (6-0, 225, R-So.) and tight end Luke Clyburn (6-7, 265, Gr.).

Expected to hold for Williams' placements is Gray Gitter (5-11, 160, R-So.), who is also Williams' backup at punter.

"That's a good situation to be in ­— to have Gray holding and also serving as our backup punter.  He's been solid there."

The roster also includes punters Dawson Jones (6-0, 178, R-Jr.) and William Pendergrass (6-2, 205, Fr.).

Nathan Chapman (5-11, 176, R-Fr.) will back up Williams on placements, followed by Bruce Brown (6-2, 211, Fr.), a product of nearby Daniel High School.

Taylen Blaylock (5-10, 203, Gr.) appears to have the inside track to handle punt return duties, and the top four contenders to return kickoffs include Evan James (5-11, 170, Fr.), Gavin Hall (5-9, 201, So.), Devin Hester, Jr. (5-9, 172, So.), and Kerry King (5-10, 180, Gr.).

"We have a lot of candidates to handle returns.  We have a few decisions to make."