Dylan Edwards, Jayce Brown, Sterling Lockett add star power to K-State special teams

It’s been a long time since Kansas State football fans have been curious about which players might return kicks and punts for the Wildcats.

Phillip Brooks was such a quality player on special teams that he returned 59 punts and 44 kicks during his six years of college football, finishing with a whopping 1,561 total return yards and four touchdowns.

It won’t be easy to duplicate that kind of production as Chris Klieman and his assistant coaches turn to a new batch of return specialists. But the Wildcats are cautiously optimistic that they have identified several promising replacements.

One thing is for sure: K-State won’t lack star power whenever it lines up to return kicks and punts this season. The Wildcats are planning to use some big names on special teams.

“We like their ability,” Klieman said. “We’ve got a number of skill guys that we need to get the ball in their hands, and that’s an opportunity for them to do that.”

Dylan Edwards could handle both kickoff and punt returns, which is an exciting thought given how fast and elusive he is as a runner. Not only was he a coveted recruit coming out of Derby High, he amassed 744 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns as a freshman at Colorado last season. He had 134 yards as a return man.

Jayce Brown, one of the team’s best wide receiver, is also a candidate to return kickoffs after he caught 27 passes for 437 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.

And then there is Sterling Lockett, who could see action on both kickoff and punt returns. His older brother, Tyler, and his uncle, Aaron, were some of the best return men to ever wear a powercat. Perhaps he is ready to follow in their footsteps.

Klieman said wide receiver Keagan Johnson could also get a look on special teams when K-State plays host to Tennessee-Martin at 6 p.m. on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Only adding quarterback Avery Johnson to the mix could add more star power on returns.

“I feel like we can be really explosive,” Brown said. “Our new (special teams) coach (Nate Kaczor) is a really smart coach, and I feel like we got the pieces to do it. So now it’s just about going out there on Saturdays and doing it.”

It will be interesting to see how K-State performs in the return game this season.

Brooks was a game-changer early in his career, but opposing teams did everything they could to limit his big-play ability after he returned a few kicks for touchdowns.

This group may see more opportunities.

They are ready to take advantage of them.

“I love getting another touch,” Brown said. “I think that’s one of the most important reasons to play on special teams, because you can get the ball and you can make a play. If the coaches trust me doing it I would love to do it.”