Who will be our Next Big Time Punt Returner Next Year

[notredomer23]

I think Walls.

[Jstehly5511]

I gotta go with Allen. He was this years best returner and he has that break away speed. Tate seems to dance to much and tries to jump over people too often. Allen just picks a spot and runs north/south. Now that he has a year in him, next year, with better lanes, he will beak a few.

[Fishin'_Irish]

I gotta go with Allen. He was this years best returner and he has that break away speed. Tate seems to dance to much and tries to jump over people too often. Allen just picks a spot and runs north/south. Now that he has a year in him, next year, with better lanes, he will beak a few.

I agree with you, if we're talking about kick returners. As far as punt returners go, I think one of either Walls, Allen and Grimes will do well (of those already on campus). I could see Dan McCarthy getting a shot at punt returning.

[Jstehly5511]

I forgot about McCarthy. I second that. McCarthy needs to get the ball somehow, just like Zibby.

[gippergrove]

I think Tate is cut out for those gamechanging plays.

[irishziggy]

i think mccarthy is def going to redshirt esp after a bad injury. i think allen will return punts.

[daytonirish]

I think it will be West. I thought he was backing up Zibby this season. Anyway I think he gets first shot.

[domehead]

Did Gray return punts/kick offs in H.S? Cant wait for this kid to get on the field.

[jonesman]

Don't be shocked if it is another DB type guy. Harrison Smith has size and lot's of speed. Further, CW even mentioned in his press conf. today that Smith and Gray are looking good and he expects them to move up the depth chart in spring.

[Jstehly5511]

Damn, now after reading everyones thoughts, this seems like a better question now, then when it was posted. I do see Allen as the front runner, but now I see Tate, McCarthy, West, Smith and Gray all with viable shot too. This is a nice problem to have.

[IrishCalves]

There are a lot of good options to choose from, but I like Allen in this instance. It's nice to have a guy that can simply out-run a coverage team, particularly when we've struggled as much as we have containing gunners and blocking the rest of the punt unit. He's also got a good build to him to break arm tackles IMO, unlike some of the smaller options listed (Grimes, West) who's weight is probably a puffed up # like Clausen's was this year.

That said, when there are guys that haven't even hit the field yet (Harrison Smith, Gary Gray, the incoming freshman) its pretty hard to guesstimate how they'll do. Either way I think we'll get some production some way some how, since there are just too many good options if one of them fails.

[IrishFan89]

Bruton, in my opinion he is the fastest guy on the team.

Grimes or Walls also have a good shot.

[fwirish24]

i can just see allen already returning them for some reason but i can also see harrison smith or tate or somebody else
but we should bring Rocket in for special teams coach!!!!!

[benneboy]

Bruton, in my opinion he is the fastest guy on the team.

Grimes or Walls also have a good shot.

Weis has said on a couple of different occasions that Tate is the fastest guy on the team. He also seems to be the shiftiest next to West so I think Golden should be our PR.

[irish_bobcat]

I think it is going to be Tate. He is the fastest guy on the team and I can't wait to see him zooming around on the football field.

[IrishR#1]

Tate would be the most explosive returner. Allen would be the most consistent. Also, Harrison Smith could very well get some chances in spring and at the spring game. I like Tate because the Irish need some game changing plays, which we lacked last year.

[marv81s]

Harrison Smith

[paddyman]

allen.

[gallup21]

No Gallup?

[daytonirish]

Gallup

[notredomer23]

Harrison Smith

forgot him in the poll...