Penn State, Stacy Collins examining new punt return options
Penn State special teams coordinator Stacy Collins understood a new face would be demanded of the punt return this spring. Losing all three of the Nittany Lions’ punt returners from the 2022 season this offseason, Collins would just need to wait on the endeavor.
“We had some weather issues early on. We didn’t get a chance to get outside much,” Collins said. “But once we did, and we got into that last third of practices, I thought we did a really good job.”
Last season, the Nittany Lions primarily relied on Parker Washington to handle the duty. He led the team with 18 returns for 99 total yards, averaging 5.5 yards per return.
The others, Marquis Wilson, who saw one attempt early in the nonconference schedule, and Mitchell Tinsley, who came on in relief once Washington’s season ended due to injury, were less fruitful. Combined, the Nittany Lions finished among the nation’s worst in the category for average at 4.38 yards per return, though Washington managed one notable 30-yard attempt in a September win over Ohio.
In losing all three players this offseason, though, Collins has spent recent months examining new options ahead of the 2023 season.
Penn State punt return options
At the forefront, fifth-year senior Daequan Hardy has emerged as a serious candidate to take over the role next year, described by Collins as having done “a great job this spring.” Back with him, receiver Kaden Saunders also saw reps at the position.
Not limiting his candidate pool to veterans of the program, Collins also identified a handful of potential punt returners new to the Nittany Lions this spring and summer.
“We’ll get a chance to look at the new guys as we go through camp,” Collins said. “Dante Cephas has done it in the past. King Mack, he’s a guy who did very well in high school.
“Zion Tracy is a guy that we’re looking forward to in there. Cam Wallace is another one. And so there’s a handful of guys that we’re looking at out of spring.”
Eager to see who emerges to take on the responsibility this fall, Collins added that he’s looking forward to camp and the opportunities it provides.
“I think the new guys coming in will also add some great competition there,” Collins said. “So that’s certainly a position where we’ll keep our eyes on and we need to see where we’re at in that early in camp.”
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