We are one day away from the start of spring practice. ODUSports.com has previewed every position on offense and defense. Today's final preview is on special teams. Check at the bottom for previous position previews.
Special Teams
ODU returns all specialists from a season ago, including kickers Nick Rice and Brad Davis, punter Bailey Cate and long snapper B.R. Hatcher.
Rice struggled early in 2018 but rebounded to make 11 consecutive field goals to finish the season. He made a 45-yarder at WKU and the game-winning 26-yard field goal with no time remaining. He also connected on a career-high tying 48-yard field goal in the comeback win over North Texas.
A three-year starter for the Monarchs, Cate has improved every year. He finished the year with a 39.7-yard average, 19 punts inside the 20 and seven punts of 50-yards or longer, including a season-long of 63 at WKU.
B.R. Hatcher played in 11 games last season as the long snapper as a true freshman and was flawless.
Darrell Brown returns at punt returner for the Monarchs after averaging 7.6 yards per return in 2018. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors in 2016 and first-team All-C-USA in 2017.
ODU will look for a replacement for all-conference kick returner and 2017 C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year, Isaiah Harper. Kesean Strong was ODU’s primary kick returner in 2016, while Brandon Sinclair and Blake Wastson have experience returning kicks.
Specialists By the Numbers
| Name | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | Misc. |
| Blake Ashley (LS) | Fr-r. | 6-0 | 205 | Redshirted |
| Alex Burton (K/P) | Fr-r. | 6-0 | 170 | Redshirted |
| Bailey Cate (P) | Sr. | 6-4 | 200 | Second in ODU history in punts and yards. Holder for PAT's and field goals |
| Brad Davis (K) | Sr. | 6-6 | 200 | Career-high 26 touchbacks in 2018 |
| B.R. Hatcher (LS) | So. | 6-5 | 250 | Played in 11 games as true freshman |
| Kyle Nalley (P) | Fr-r. | 6-0 | 175 | Redshirted |
| Nick Rice (K) | Jr. | 6-1 | 200 | 11-straight field goals to end season. 2nd in school history in Pat's and field goals |
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