Washington State Football 2024 Position Preview: Specialists

Jared Miller | Aug 4, 2024

Nov 26, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars place kicker Dean Janikowski (49) attempts a field goal against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

How does the Cougars special teams unit shape up to be in 2024?

Often overlooked, the specialists are arguably the most vital component to a team's overall success. The good news for Washington State this year is that their special teams unit, unlike other aspects of the roster, didn't really take a hit during the offseason. Not only are several key pieces back but the Cougs only bolstered what is already a pretty solid unit. Who are the names to know going into this season?

Returnmen: Leyton Smithson (#10) will be the one to watch when teams are kicking off the WSU. The junior receiver showcased his savvy in the return game last year, making one house call and averaging 32 yards per runback (seven returns). He's fast and knows how to follow his blocks well making him dangerous, especially in space. With the addition of former Oregon speedster Kris Hutson (#1), though, Smithson likely won't be the only one the Cougars send back on kickoffs.
Hutson, who will surely get some looks on punts as well, ran back 31 kicks while with the Ducks but never did break one loose for a touchdowns. He did pile up 658 return yards, though.

Kicker: The Cougars will again ride the leg of kicker Dean Janikowski (#49). The redshirt senior was automatic for Washington State in 2023, at least on his extra points, hitting all 44 attempts he made. Where Janikowski struggled was field goals, of which he made 10-of-15 (66.7%). For the third straight year, he saw his FG accuracy dip. He did, however, set a new career-best with a 55-yard make against Colorado State.

RELATED: Washington State Kicker Dean Janikowski Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

Punter: Nick Haberer (#38) will handle punts again this season as he has for the past three years. Haberer, a senior now, is as experienced as they come, having played in 38 games for Washington State dating back to the 2021 season. He has booted the ball a total of 157 times in that span, averaging 43.1 yards per kick. Haberer has a strong leg, hitting five punts of at least 50 yards in 2023 alone. He makes a habit of not only flipping the field but also pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line. Perhaps his most impressive feat is the fact that he's only allowed seven touchbacks in his entire career. On top of all that, he's proven that he's even up to the task when a fake gets called. He's completed both passes he's been asked to attempt.

Long Snapper: While most of the Cougars' special teams unit this year will be familiar names, a new one will take over at arguably the most important position of the bunch; long snapper. Texas State transfer Durham Harris (#99) comes to Wazzou with a healthy amount of experience under his belt. He snapped in 27 total games for the Bobcats, consistently delivering the ball right where it needed to be. When plays do break down, however, Harris is often the first on the scene to make the stop.

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Overall Position Outlook: The Cougs should have a really strong special teams unit in 2024. In fact, they've really only gotten better with the additions of Hutson and Harris and the return game in specific is going to be really exciting to watch. Hutson and Smithson both have what it takes to be game-changers in that department and, in a lot of games that are projected to be close ones, they just might be the difference. Where WSU needs to get better is with Janikowski's field goals. When he's on, he's great but when he's off, he's really off. Missed kicks have been the undoing of many games and seasons. If Janikowski continues to struggle there, it might be Washington State's downfall in 2024.