DeeJay Dallas and Jeff Thomas could return punts for Miami Hurricanes

Braxton Berrios was one of the best punt returners in the country the last two seasons for the Miami Hurricanes. Replacing him is one of the things that Mark Richt and Special Teams Coach Todd Hartley will work on in the spring and training camp later this summer.

Berrios averaged 15.9 yards per punt return in 2017 on 13 returns. He did not have enough returns to qualify last season. He would have finished second in the nation and first in the ACC if he would have. Richt will be looking for someone sure-handed to replace Berrios to return punts for the Miami Hurricanes this fall.

With Berrios handling all but one of Miami’s punt returns last season the Hurricanes led the ACC. Defensive end Jonathan Garvin had the other return for 13 yards. Miami’s 14 returns were the lowest amount in the ACC. Berrios had 19 returns as a Junior in 2016 for an 11.3 yard average with one touchdown.

DeeJay Dallas is one of the most versatile players on the Miami Hurricanes roster. He switched from wide receiver to running back when starter Mark Walton was lost for the season after the fourth game against Florida State. Dallas was adept at running the Wildcat and finished with 217 yards rushing on 5.3 yards per carry.

Jeff Thomas lived up to his big play potential as a Freshman in 2017. He averaged 22 yards per reception with two touchdowns last season. Thomas finished with 17 receptions for 374 yards. He was fourth on Miami in receiving yards, fifth in receptions and his YPC average was second only to Dallas.