Top 5 All Purpose/Returners in 2012 College Football

2012 College Football Player Ratings – Top 5 All Purpose/Returners: One of the most exciting plays in college football is a kickoff or punt returned for a touchdown. In a matter of seconds, the entire complexion of a game can change thanks to one play. With limited scholarships available, it is rare that kick returners play only on special teams. Some also play receiver or running back, while others play on the defensive side of the ball. Either way, all great returners share a few things in common such as great instincts, along with an excess of speed and agility. Kick returners are often responsible for some of the most-exciting plays in college football each season, and here is a look at the most-electric return men in the country for the upcoming year.

Top 5 All Purpose/Returners in 2012 College Football

1.      De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon Ducks

Thomas is probably the most-versatile and most-explosive offensive weapon in the country, and he is only a true sophomore. His total numbers last season are nothing short of remarkable. He had 55 carries for 595 yards and seven scores. He caught 46 passes for 605 yards and nine touchdowns. He also tallied 1,033 yards and two scores in the return game. Add it up, and Thomas had more than 2,200 total yards and 18 scores. His role will only increase this year now that LaMichael James is in the NFL, and Thomas is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in 2012-13.

2.      Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State Cowboys The Cowboys’ corner is deadly in the secondary and in the return game. He had 59 tackles in 2011-12 to go along with five interceptions. Gilbert also averaged more than 27 yards per kickoff return last year, finding the end zone twice. He has four kickoff returns for touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he is a threat to score whenever he has the ball in his hands. Gilbert’s world-class speed can’t be taught, but he had molded himself into a solid cornerback, as well. He will make plenty of bug plays for Oklahoma State this season.

3.      Greg Reid, Florida State Seminoles

Reid is one of the better corners in the ACC and is one of the top punt returners in the country. He has seven interceptions for his career, recording multiple picks in each of his first three seasons with the Seminoles. Reid also had three career punt returns for scores, and he finished fourth in the country in punt return yards last season. Reid had a bit of a down year in terms of statistics on the defensive side of the ball, but he was as deadly as ever on special teams. He is the type of player that can swing field position and change momentum with both his legs in the return game and by forcing a turnover.

4.      Andre Debose, Florida Gators

Despite being very raw as a player, Debose has still been able to impact games for the Gators thanks to his pure speed. He has returned 40 kicks in his career, and he has taken three of them back for scores. That makes for a pretty good ratio if you’re a Florida fan. Debose is also a dangerous deep threat at receiver. He had just 16 catches last season, but he found the end zone four times while averaging an incredible 27 yards per catch. Debose is never going to be a go-to target at receiver, but his game-changing speed will allow him an impact on special times and in the passing game.

5.      Dustin Harris, Texas A&M Aggies

Harris is a capable cornerback, and he record and interception and a pair of sacks last season. However, his main contributions come in the return game, especially when it comes to running back punts. Harris averaged 18.61 yards per punt return, which led all players that qualified with enough attempts. He took one punt back a touchdown, but his ability to change field position set up plenty of other easy scores for the Texas A&M offense. The Aggies will need all the help they can get as they begin life in the SEC this season, and Harris’ speed on special teams will come in handy.

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