It’s not surprising to see us trumpeting Elon football’s special teams unit.
We wrote plenty last season about punter Jeff Yurk and speedy return man Chandler Brayboy, both of whom collected multiple CAA and All-America honors. With Yurk back in the fold for 2025, we’ve already used a lot of digital ink to highlight his preseason conference and national watch-list commendations.
But on Saturday night against Davidson, Elon unleashed yet another special teams weapon: placekicker Luke Barnes. The sophomore from Greensboro enjoyed a career night after a two-hour lightning delay, hitting a pair of field goals and booting all 7 PAT attempts in the Phoenix’s 55-7 romp over Davidson.
Barnes, who played at nearby Grimsley High School, is our pick for North Carolina College Football Special Teams Player of the Week. He earned 13 kicker points on the night – the most by a North Carolina college kicker so far this season.
Barnes, who stands a towering 6-foot-6, appeared in six games as a freshman in 2024. He went 6-of-10 on field goals and made all 21 extra-point tries after taking over the job in the back half of the season.
So far this season, Barnes is 3-for-3 on field goals – with a long of 38 yards – and 9-for-9 on extra points. Barnes and Yurk – who is the holder on PATs and field goal attempts – could spell double-trouble for opposing teams this fall, whether Elon is trying to put points on the board or flip the field for the defense.
“I wouldn’t trade those two guys for anybody in the country. They are the best out there,” Elon assistant coach Mike Nall said of Barnes and Yurk before the season. “Jeff’s going to have a fantastic year this year, he’s done all the work outside of football, and he’s prepared well. Luke’s done the same thing and Jeff has been a great leader in the specialist’s group. So, we’ve got all the pieces for what could be another record-setting year for Elon football.”
Honorable Mention Special Teams
- Jack Beylo (Chowan): Hit all four of his PAT attempts for a rejuvenated Hawks’ offense in a game against No. 22 West Alabama. He also had 247 yards on four kickoffs, earning Conference Carolinas Special Teams Player of the Week.
- Chris Brown (Winston-Salem State): Collected CIAA Special Teams Player of the Week after recording 258 yards on eight punts in the Rams’ win at Mars Hill. He put three punts inside the 20.
- Sincere McIntyre (Greensboro): Opened the Pride’s season with a tone-setting 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown – his first collegiate touch in a game. Named USA South Special Teams Player of the Week.
- Braxtyn Green (North Carolina Wesleyan): Booted two field goals and hit all four PAT attempts in the season opener against Averett.
Past Winners: Special Teams Player of the Week
Week 1: Wingate kicker Caleb Bonesteel kicks three FGs of 40+ yards and 3 PATs to lift Bulldogs past UNCP
🏆 View all of our Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for 2025 as well as our Team of the Week winners at our NC College Football Awards Hub page.
