On Tuesday, inside linebackers and special teams coordinator Jeff Koonz spoke on how they are going to approach the punt and kick returner positions, as well as how they are going to replace Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Sam James who were key contributors on special teams.
Koonz was asked about how they will go about replacing James and Wheaton, who not only were key contributors but also enjoyed special teams. Koonz mentioned young players specifically who are ready to fill the roles.
“The exciting thing about that is we got a ton of young guys that are ready to fill into those roles.”
Koonz also mentioned how special teams improved the pro potential of James and Wheaton.
“You got two upper-class men who are training to live their dream at the next level and both those guys improved their stock because of what they did on special teams.”
When asked about kick returner, Koonz said that something he and head coach Neal Brown looked for in the portal was skill position players who could also return kicks.
“Something we identified in the portal as well was trying to bring in some skill, whether it be in the secondary or receiver who also had return skill.”
Koonz was specifically asked about Ja’Shaun Poke, the Kent State wide receiver transfer and what he brings to the table as a returner.
“I’m gonna get a little bit more evaluation of him live (later in the spring), but off of film he’s exactly what you want. He’s got legit raw speed, he’s returned in raucous environments and I’m excited to see how he sees it. We haven’t necessarily had an issue with speed back there, it’s really just been seeing the holes and hitting the holes, there is a knack to it and he’s shown on tape he that knack.”
Poke returned 15 kick-offs last season for Kent State, averaging 27,4 yards per return, for 411 total yards.
Koonz mentioned some other guys the coaching staff is looking at to return kicks.
“We’re trying to build a big pool, as many as we can. We’ve got a bunch of guys, a bunch of our running backs — Justin Johnson, Tony Mathis, Jaylen Andseron — bigger guys, tougher to tackle, along with Poke, (Andrew) Wilson-Lamp a guy that can truly run. Davis Mallinger will be another guy that’s gonna have that opportunity.”
When asked if Preston Fox will remain the primary punt returner this season, Koonz said he has done a good job, along with some other players they are trying there.
“Punt return, Preston has picked up where he left off, I think he got to the end of the year there where we saw what he can do against Oklahoma State when he’s given a seam… so he’s kinda been the bell cow on that. We do have some other guys that were trying out there, Montre Miller is one that has done it before that we’re giving a look back there, then there’s probably a good four, five other guys, but Preston has done a good job.”
