In the past few years, the Oregon football team has enjoyed the luxury of having some versatile return men.
From Kenjon Barner to De’Anthony Thomas, the Ducks have not only experienced consistently good field position, they have also been the benefactors of their occasional highlight reels.
Now that both of them have moved on to the NFL, it is time for a new wave of returners to take over the helm.
“This could be one of the best we’ve had,” Keanon Lowe said. “There’s a whole bunch of guys vying for that spot, whole bunch of playmakers, guys with speed, so it will be fun.”
According to the most recent projected depth chart, the Ducks are planning to have wide receiver Lowe (redshirt senior) and running back Thomas Tyner (sophomore) back in the end zone for kickoffs.
“I remember when Jonathan Stewart was back there returning kickoffs, so it will be exciting to see Thomas (Tyner) back there in kind of the same role,” Lowe said.
Newcomers Johnathan Loyd (redshirt senior) and Darren Carrington (redshirt freshman) are expected to run the show on punt returns.
“It’s my first year being a part of this, so I don’t know what the process (for rotation) is like,” Loyd said. “It’s all up to the coaches.”
If the depth chart remains intact heading into the season, the Ducks don’t look to have any shortage of talent. For this new group of returners, the question will be in regard to their lack of experience.
“We have a lot of athletes, a lot of guys that can take kicks back and make things happen,” Lowe said. “Whoever we plug in, I don’t think it really matters, we’ll still be productive.”
Excluding Lowe, who will enter his third year as a returner, the Ducks will have to rely on the group’s natural talent and hope that game experience gets them up to speed.
“Playing a game is always a great deal,” special teams coordinator Tom Osborne said. “Just trying to find as many players who can help your team.”
However, the Ducks don’t appear to be too concerned with their lack of experience at the return spot. Aside from the aspect of learning to field the ball, which is always an ongoing learning experience, the coaches and players are excited more than anything about their potential.
“It’s definitely really exciting,” Tyner said. “I feel like all of us can get the momentum of the game going and help out the team as much as we can.”
Speed is the first adjective that comes to mind with this group of returners and that is something that cannot be taught.
As Oregon heads into a new year, it will be looking forward to a new group of returners that are expecting to perform right away. Attempting to carry on the exciting play of its former teammates, these returners led by Lowe will be holding themselves to a higher standard.
For Tyner, who looked up to players like Thomas since the beginning of his collegiate career, it will be a season of lessons and hopefully progression.
“Watching him do it inspires me,” Tyner said. “How aggressive he is and how fast he is, it’s definitely inspiring.”
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @HayDayKim