The Missouri Tigers entered the offseason with a clear directive: overhaul a special teams unit that had lingered near the bottom of the SEC in key metrics. A combination of injuries and inexperience forced the team to rely on fresh faces last year, but the landscape is shifting dramatically as the 2025 campaign approaches.
A Revamped Approach Under Papuchis
John Papuchis, who joined the program after stints at Florida State, Maryland, Nebraska and North Carolina, brings a proven track record of elevating special teams. His tenure has produced 55 all‑conference honorees, four conference Player of the Year awards and a Rookie of the Year, underscoring his ability to develop talent quickly.
Papuchis inherits a group that includes senior kicker Blake Craig, who missed the majority of the 2024 schedule with a torn ACL. Craig’s return is viewed as the centerpiece of the revival, given his elite standing in the conference.
Craig finished the previous season atop the SEC in field goals made and ranked nationally in attempts, a testament to his reliability. His recovery has progressed without setbacks, and coaches expect him to reclaim his role as the primary leg for the Tigers.
Complementing Craig is junior kicker Oliver Robbins, who appeared in every game last season and converted 3‑of‑5 field goals with a long of 49 yards. Long snapper Brett LeBlanc, a three‑year starter and third‑team All‑SEC selection, returns after delivering a flawless 108‑snap performance in 2024.
The unit also welcomes two new contributors. Brunno Reus, who averaged 67.1 yards per kickoff at Florida State, is expected to boost field position, while punter Mark Shenouda, a former starter at Tennessee State, brings a 42.9‑yard average to the mix.
Papuchis’ first season will focus on climbing from a 15th‑ranked position in average yards per punt and kickoff to a more competitive standing. Early indicators suggest the Tigers could improve their field‑goal conversion percentage, which rose from 16th to 14th last year, while also trimming the number of attempts.
With Craig’s experience, Robbins’ consistency, LeBlanc’s precision, and the added firepower of Reus and Shenouda, the special teams department is positioned to become a tangible strength for Missouri in 2025. The coaching staff’s emphasis on rapid improvement sets the stage for a season where every point matters.