Last season, wide receiver Mecole Hardman assumed the role of Georgia’s lead kick returner, averaging just over 25 yards per return.
Hardman was a speedy, electric receiver who Georgia will certainly miss on both offense and special teams.
So with the former five-star headed to the NFL, who should Georgia fans expect to see lined up in the end zone on kickoffs next season?
According to Kirby Smart, running backs Brian Herrien, James Cook and D’Andre Swift have been getting some reps in at kick returner, along with receivers Tyler Simmons and Demetris Robertson.
“It’s a position you develop at, and you work with multiple guys,” Smart said. “A lot of those guys were working at it last year, you have to have the foresight to anticipate holes.”
That’s a pretty solid group of players to choose from. With Georgia being ~ somewhat ~ thinner at running back than it was last season, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t get to see Swift taking kick returns next year. Those head-on collisions might just be a bit too risky for your superstar ball carrier.
With that being said, remember how fun it was to watch Todd Gurley take kick returns his junior year in Athens?
As for Cook, he’s a slippery and speedy guy who can burst through a whole and be gone before you know it. Simmons is a guy who has been mentioned as the fastest player on the team, according to many of his teammates.
