Best guesses on who handles returns?

Submitted by jimmyshi03 on

Obviously we will miss Peppers on defense and on special teams, but we also lose a couple of his primary backups/co-returners, like Chesson and Jourdan Lewis. Who would you like to see back there in the spring and against Florida? Is there an open competition or do you think there's a favorite?

I'd love to see Evans, Isaac, McDoom and a couple of the freshmen at least get a look in spring. 

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RainbowSprings

January 10th, 2017 at 5:40 PM ^

whoever has the best hands and judgment. For me at least, as important as Jabrill's actual punt returns was his ability to simply make the friggin' catch, and not let the punt roll by for an extra 10-20 yards like some in prior years. Actual punt return yardage after the catch is pure gravy. (I'm an ultra-conservative in this regard, obviously.)

Joined: 11/09/2010

MGoPoints: 13438

Wal-Mart Wolverine

January 10th, 2017 at 5:43 PM ^

Speaking of Pepper punt returns, I think we got spoiled knowing that he would field the returns cleanly and we never had to worry about fumbling the fair catch. I don't remember a bad exchange due to him but I may be wrong. Pep's got the good hands !

Joined: 01/03/2016

MGoPoints: -892

Gr1mlock

January 10th, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^

Of guys currently on roster, McDoom, Crawford, Thomas, and Hudson seem logical choices.  But honestly, I don't care who is back there, as long as they follow Peppers' "catch everything, don't let it bounce" philosophy.  So many invisible yards gained by making catches that others would ignore.  I don't care if their 40 time is slower than mine (and I'm fat and quite slow), if you can catch the ball every time, you're good by me.  

Joined: 12/24/2013

MGoPoints: 6257

MGoStrength

January 10th, 2017 at 5:55 PM ^

Will be a great way for an explosive true freshman who is physically ready, but may not know the whole playbook yet to make an immediate impact before he steps into the full time starting WR role.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 20002

BlueMan80

January 10th, 2017 at 5:56 PM ^

and understands that returns are about running north-south, not east-west.  Fast would be good, too.

DPJ might be the guy, but he won't be the guy until he proves it as a second guy off the bench role during the non-conference season.  Hudson and McDoom seem like good candidates to start the season.  Didn't Evans return some kicks this past season?

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 13097

Toasted Yosties

January 10th, 2017 at 5:58 PM ^

A short 236 days to go (assuming the Florida game gets pushed back to the 3rd) until football. I feel like a junkie going cold turkey. Those Rutgers and Penn State highlights are going to get me through some dark nights.

Joined: 06/05/2013

MGoPoints: 9261

Schmozerine

January 10th, 2017 at 6:40 PM ^

I for one would love to see either of these players get a chance at returning kicks. Evans has vision and shiftiness as well as speed. Any chance we get to have McDoom touch the ball would be a huge plus, and because I loved shouting his name the few times that he actually got the ball on offense. I'm actually really excited for return game due to the speed of these young guys.

Joined: 09/12/2011

MGoPoints: 633