The sixth in a series previewing position groups for the Arkansas State University football team.
JONESBORO -- Among Arkansas State's many woes in 2021, kicker was far down the list.
The only real concern with Blake Grupe last season was how many school records he'd break. Already the school's single-season points by kicking leader, Grupe cemented himself in Red Wolves history, surpassing Richie Woit for the most points (354) in an ASU career.
With nearly all of his collegiate goals achieved, Grupe shipped up north, taking his talents to No. 5 Notre Dame for a sixth and final season.
That's left the Red Wolves with a wide-open kicking competition.
"I've been really encouraged by all three individuals," Coach Butch Jones said of his options. "They compete, but they also help coach each other up, too. ... Everything is videoed and logged, and we'll let them compete all the way through, probably, the course of the season."
Although neither Tristan Mattson, Aidan Ellison or Dominic Zvada has attempted a placekick at the college level, ASU followers are likeliest to be familiar with Mattson. The Clarkston, Mich., native was the Red Wolves' kickoff specialist last season, attempting 59 and recording 26 touchbacks.
But power isn't necessarily the most important thing when it comes to putting kicks between the uprights. Mattson has tended to push kicks to the right despite having more than enough distance to do the job effectively.
That could open the door for Ellison or Zvada. While Zvada -- a freshman and the 45th-ranked kicker in the recruiting Class of 2022 -- appears to be on the outside looking in, Ellison has been consistently on target. Range could be an issue, however, for the redshirt freshman from the Chicago suburbs.
While Jones will be the one to decide on who lands the gig come the season opener on Sept. 3, punter Ryan Hanson -- as ASU's holder -- has as much perspective on all three guys as anyone.
"I've known Tristan for the longest and we've been pretty good friends for quite some time," Hanson said. "He and I obviously feel very, very comfortable with each other. ... With Aiden, he's been here for a little bit over a year now, so I've been able to develop some good chemistry with him, especially last year when Blake was battling through a couple of injuries."
"Dom, him being very new and only being here for 2 1/2 months, he's really impressed me as a kicker and a person, and he's been solid, especially for a freshman."
Hanson, on the other hand, is about as secure as it gets at punter. A third-team All-Sun Belt Conference honoree last season, he will again team with long snapper Jack Bullard after Hanson ranked 33rd nationally and third in the Sun Belt at 44.0 yards per punt.
That operation will also need the support of the Red Wolves' coverage teams. ASU was 26th nationally in kick return defense and 13th in punt return defense, but Jones stopped practice twice Tuesday to go through specific coverage instruction with the help of new special teams coordinator Jake Schoonover.
For a team that very well may need all the points it can get, special teams won't be marginal.
"It's an honor and a privilege here to be on our kickoff team," Jones said. "There's a mentality that they set forth. ... So we'll spend a lot more time with our special teams."
ASU special teams glance
RETURNING STARTERS Ryan Hanson (41 punts over 11 games; All-Sun Belt third team), Jack Bullard (handled long-snap duties in all 12 games)
LOSSES Blake Grupe (transferred to Notre Dame)
WHO’S BACK Tristan Mattson (kickoff specialist in all 12 games; no career placekicks), Aidan Ellison
WHO’S NEW Dominic Zvada, William Przystup (transfer from Nebraska), Magnus Haines (transfer from Kent State)
ANALYSIS Losing Grupe — who had a sixth year of eligibility but opted to use it with the Fighting Irish — has made for a wide-open placekicking competition. Mattson, ASU’s regular kickoff taker last year, has more leg than Ellison, who has been more accurate in camp. Zvada is the dark horse as a true freshman. Hanson and Bullard are secure in their jobs as punter and long snapper, respectively.
Ryan Hanson