Better/Worse/Neutral: Punt and Kick Returns

While the punt returns should remain roughly the same, the biggest shake up this season will come on kick returns. John Ross was the go-to kick returner for his entire career, and now it’s up to Austin Joyner and Chico McClatcher to fill the void. Dante Pettis returns and is probably good for a TD or two on punt returns.

Adding it all up, will the Huskies be better or worse in 2017?

Why the return game will be better

Despite the presence of the dynamic John Ross, there’s opportunity for improvement in the kick return game. Washington ranked only 61st in kick off returns, though the fear of Ross’ speed meant many kicks went deep into the end zone. Consider that he averaged 34 kick off returns a…