Miami Hurricanes WR Jeff Thomas expected to contribute on kick returns

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Jeff Thomas #4 of the Miami Hurricanes returns a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida International Golden Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Jeff Thomas #4 of the Miami Hurricanes returns a punt for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida International Golden Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

The Miami Hurricanes leader in receptions and yards in 2018 Jeff Thomas is expected to be a big part of the return game in 2019 again. Thomas also led Miami in punt return yards and average and kickoff return average in 2018.

Jeff Thomas returned 10 kickoffs for 260 yards and nine punts for 221 for a 24.6 average and a spectacular touchdown in the Miami Hurricanes win at Virginia Tech in 2018. Thomas didn’t have enough returns to qualify for punt return average and he still finished 20th in FBS punt return yards in 2018.

Thomas didn’t have enough kickoff returns to qualify either. He would have finished 24th nationally in kickoff returns if he had enough to qualify. With DeeJay Dallas also an adept return man expect them to continue to share kick return duties in 2019 to keep them fresh. Dallas also had a punt return touchdown in 2018.

New special teams coordinator Jonathan Patke who added that duty to his resume when former tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Todd Hartley was let go in December expects that to be the case this season. Dallas and Thomas handled the majority of the kick and punt returns for Miami in 2018.

Rising sophomore Lorenzo Lingard had two kickoff returns in 2018 for 46 yards. Patke would like to have more than Dallas and Thomas being the players capable of handling returns. Graduate transfer K.J. Osborn could potentially help out on returns. Patke said that Osborn has taken some reps on returns this spring.

The past two years at Buffalo Osborn returned 33 punts for 339 yards and seven kickoffs for 135 yards. Patke spoke with the Miami beat reporters on Thursday after practice.

"“Really like having Jeff back there…I don’t think it would be too much. I think he can do both. Obviously we would like to have a few that we’re comfortable with putting back there and we’re at that point where we have a couple guys that can do both.“I think [Thomas] would [embrace doing both]. He is looking for the field as much as possible. Getting a heavy load on offense I would imagine we have to protect him in some regards. He’s dynamic and he’s done it and he has shown he can secure the football.Any guys that have the ability to take it to the house, we want back there,” Patke said. “The most important thing is to secure the football.”"

Patke told reporters that he has emphasized the importance of playing on special teams to the Miami Hurricanes players. He said that fullback Realus George and cornerback Nigel Bethel are other players who have shined on special teams. Patke also spoke about the importance of starters participating on special teams.

Rising senior linebacker Shaq Quarterman was the lone starter that Patke mentioned as playing well on special teams this spring. Travis Homer who was Miami’s leading rusher in 2017 and ’18 is another example of a starter who continued to flash on special teams for the Hurricanes in recent seasons.

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