2024 Michigan Football Special Teams Review

Despite not winning the Lou Groza Award, Dominic Zvada made seven field goals from 50+ yards, as well as the game-winning kick to upset Ohio State. Today, we review Michigan’s special teams from 2024:

Very few college football teams have the trust in their kicker like the Michigan Wolverines have had over the last decade. From Quinn Nordin, to Jake Moody, and now Dominic Zvada, Michigan has had some special teams weapons that gave it the advantage in field position every single drive.

Here is our review on Michigan’s special teams in 2024.

Kicker Dominic Zvada

While there was little known about Zvada heading into 2024, the Arkansas State transfer far exceeded expectations. With the Red Wolves, Zvada went 17-of-22 in 2023 and had a career long of 56 yards. There was no denying Zvada had a massive leg, but the question remained if he could be consistent and make kicks in high-pressure situations.

If there was one word to describe him in 2024, it would be “poise.” Zvada was asked to attempt field goals from more than 50 yards in six of Michigan’s 13 games, and he drilled every single one.

Zvada was 21-of-22 overall last year, with the lone miss coming on a block against Illinois. Every kick that got past the line of scrimmage went through the uprights, and Zvada quickly became a household name to the Michigan faithful.

The trust Sherrone Moore had in his kicker was evident the entire season. From drilling 56-yarders against Indiana and Northwestern in back-to-back games, to making a crucial 54-yarder and a 21-yarder at Ohio State to help Michigan take down the nation’s top team, Zvada came through time after time.

It is safe to say Zvada had one of the best performances on the entire team in 2024, and he will look to replicate his unanimous first-team All-Big Ten season in 2025.

Punter Tommy Doman

In a completely different set of circumstances, Tommy Doman came into the year with very high expectations after a quality 2023 season. The Rochester Hills native posted career-highs in 2023, averaging 44.3 yards per punt, resulting in four touchbacks, 18 punts landing inside the 20 yard line, and 12 punts going 50 or more yards.

With Zvada added to the fold, Michigan fans and media were excited about the opportunity for the Wolverines to win the field position battle against any opponent — but that was not entirely the case.

Doman’s production decreased in 2024, as he averaged 42.6 yards per punt and had just 15-of-49 punts land inside the 20. While Doman had a 68-yarder against Ohio State and a 58-yard punt against USC, he had game-highs of 36 yards against Texas and Illinois, and a high of 44 yards against Washington and Fresno State.

It was hard to know what version of Doman that Michigan was going to get any given Saturday, and with Hudson Hollenbeck waiting patiently for his time to shine, Doman entered the transfer portal after Michigan’s win over Ohio State and signed with Florida for his final year of eligibility.

Future Outlook

With Zvada back in the fold for 2025, there will be no changes there. The Wolverines recently brought in Texas State transfer Beckham Sunderland , but he will have to wait another season until Zvada’s time in Ann Arbor comes to an end.

However, as mentioned, there will be a new starting punter in Ann Arbor next season as Hollenbeck and sophomore Stone Anderson will battle it out for the starting job unless the coaching staff brings in another guy to compete.