Return of the Mahuika?

In addition to losing NFL-bound QBs and TE's to graduation, BYU lost one of the nicest surprises last year in punt returner Nate Meikle. Meikle averaged 11.2 yards per PR last year, about 4 yards more than he did in 2005 as the main PR and 4 more than Mahuika did in 2004. Also, BYU lost Curtis Brown, the main kick returner who averaged a little over 22 yards per return. Who can step up to the plate?

In all likelihood, Bryce Mahuika will be the punt return man in 2007. He averaged 7.4 yards in 2004 (long of 18) and 6.4 in 2005 (long of 10.) My concerns with Mahuika are two-fold: (1) Not a big play maker and (2)When he gets tackled he looks like a dying fish. Really. He seems to go down awkward, I'm always worried he is about to experience some gruesome injury. Jacobson did this at the beginning of last season, but got over the "flopping fish" syndrome early on.

Other people who might see some time at punt returner:
Ryan Kessman, JJ DiLuigi, Gary Nagy: These three fit the mold best of the incoming freshman. Kessman is my personal favorite at this position, he is the H-back version of Curtis Brown, you heard it here first. JJ DiLuigi is a shifty running back, but I would worry that for his size he wouldn't be able to take the lumps that come with the position (see Meikle getting plastered against AZ.) Nagy is interesting, he played the position in High School and could lay a hit himself, but I worry about his break-away speed. I wouldn't be suprised to see any of these freshman share the duties with Bryce.

As far as kick-returner, Bryce did a good job back in 2004, averaging 22.5 yards (long of 42.) This time my concern is only the big-play ability. Austin Collie also returned some kicks in 2004, averaging 19.7 yards (25 yard long), but I would be very surprised to see him this year. Until he can get back to 100% speed he won't have the ability to hit the holes for the big play. I would not be suprised to see another WR on returns, but at this point I don't know who else would be the right fit.

Possible KR: JJ DiLuigi or Ryan Kessman again. Both are great at seeing the field and making plays, hopefully this translates to college level.

Note: I think Mahuika will do fine, and there is a lot to be said about a guy who can take a hit, hold onto the ball and get positive yardage on a return.