Senior John Deraney will handle punts, placekicking and kickoffs, and junior receiver Darrell Blackman is the top guy on the depth chart for kickoff and punt returns.

But even though Deraney made 15-of-20 field goals last season while going 28-for-28 on extra points, he said he is hoping to improve on his junior season enough to where he can find himself in the NFL next year.

“I’m just expecting to do better than I did last year,” Deraney said. “I’m hoping to help the team and give myself an opportunity to get to the next level.”

Blackman said because he should get plenty of opportunities to find the end zone, he is hoping to make some game-changing plays.

“The situation got me as No. 1 in punt returns and kickoff returns, so I’m just back there trying to do the best I can and make plays for my team when it is time to,” Blackman said.

Throughout his career, Blackman has returned one punt for a touchdown and is averaging just more than 10 yards per punt return. On kickoff returns, he is averaging nearly 30 yards per return.