SEC Football: Ranking the SEC Punt Returners

Last week, we ranked the SEC's kick returners. While their impact may be negated by college football's new kickoff rules, the impact of a game-changing punt returner will still be big.

Last season, guys like LSU's Tyrann Mathieu and Arkansas' Joe Adams made headlines with sizzling punt returns for touchdowns, and others that set up their offenses in good field position.

Who are the best punt returners in the the SEC heading into 2012? The top punt returner on each team is ranked in this slideshow.

14. Gene McCaskill: Kentucky

McCaskill only returned four punts last season for nine yards and has only 53 career punt-return yards during his career at Kentucky.

The rising senior was listed atop Kentucky's spring depth chart at punt returner.

In order for him to make a big impact, Kentucky's defense is going to have to get some stops. 

Considering Kentucky finished 10th in the SEC in total defense last season, McCaskill's potential impact may be minimized by the fact that chances will be few and far between.

13. De'Ante Saunders: Florida

With Chris Rainey gone, somebody has to step in at punt returner, and the most experienced punt returner in the group is rising sophomore De'Ante Saunders.

Saunders returned six punts for 25 yards a year ago as a freshman.

The 5'8", 168-pound speedster has a low center of gravity and has the shiftiness to be a star in the SEC.

The wild card in this equation is Andrew Debose. We know Debose will be returning kicks, but will the coaching staff add punt returning to his responsibilities?

We'll know more about this position in Gainesville later this summer.

12. Christion Jones: Alabama

Speaking of big shoes to fill, Christion Jones is the likely candidate to step in for the recently departed Marquis Maze at Alabama.

He's no stranger to the pressure. Jones stepped in for an injured Maze in both of Alabama's contests with LSU last season, making four fair catches and returning one punt for 15 yards in the BCS National Championship Game.

For the season, he returned three punts for 33 yards.

The job isn't necessarily his, though. Dee Hart and Deion Belue will be leading a group vying for this role in summer practice.

11. Marquel Wade: Arkansas

Marquel Wade was the hardest person to rank on this list.

If he's on the field, he has everything it takes to be able to step in for Joe Adams at punt returner.

The question is whether or not he will even be on the field.

Wade was arrested on burglary charges this offseason, and head coach John L. Smith has stated that he is not part of the football program at this time. He is taking classes, though, so consider him questionable for this season.

Wade returned 12 punts for 99 yards last season and would be much higher on the list if his status on the team wasn't in doubt.

10. Branden Smith: Georgia

Brandon Boykin was one of the most electric punt returners in the country last season, and Branden Smith is the likely candidate to step in for the Georgia Bulldogs now that Boykin has gone on to play on Sundays.

The rising senior returned nine punts for 70 yards last season and has returned 19 punts for 213 yards during his first three seasons in Athens.

He is likely facing a suspension for the first game of the season for an offseason arrest.

Even after he comes back, Georgia's secondary is razor-thin, which may mean that Smith is taken off of punt returns in order to keep him fresh at cornerback.

9. E.J. Gaines: Missouri

Gaines split time at punt returner last season with wide receiver T.J. Moe. 

Gaines returned nine punts for for 98 yards and one touchdown last season.

The 5'10", 190-pound cornerback is a shutdown cornerback in the Tiger secondary and is electric when he gets the ball in his hands.

There are plenty of weapons for Missouri to use, so don't be surprised if Gaines and Moe again split time at punt returner.

8. Jonathan Krause: Vanderbilt

Jonathan Krause started five games at wide receiver last season for the Commodores and served as the team's primary punt returner.

He returned 19 punts for 78 yards last season for an average of 4.1 yards per return.

The 5'11", 180-pound rising junior is a former track star in high school who can take it to the house from anywhere on the field.

7. Quan Bray: Auburn

Quan Bray was thrust into the role as Auburn's primary punt returner as a freshman last season, and he responded with flying colors.

He returned 13 punts for 96 yards last season for an average of 7.4 yards per return.

The 5'10", 185-pounder is lightning-quick, can make the first man miss and has the speed to run away from defenders.

The job isn't necessarily his. Sophomore Trovon Reed will have an opportunity to win the job during fall camp.

6. Devrin Young: Tennessee

Young is vying with Marlin Lane and Rajion Neal for the starting running back spot, but he has already established himself as a big-time weapon on special teams.

In addition to his work as a kickoff returner in 2011, Young returned eight punts for 92 yards.

He is listed atop the Vols' post-spring depth chart at punt returner ahead of Lane.

Depending on how the running back situation shakes itself out, either Young or Lane (or both) could make an impact on special teams for the Vols in 2012.

5. Jeff Scott: Ole Miss

Jeff Scott is one of those players you don't want to get too close to as a defender, because if you don't have the right angle, Scott is liable to run right past you.

The 5'7", 175-pound speedster returned eight punts last season for 138 yards and one touchdown, which was his first as a punt returner.

The rising junior is expected to handle running back and kickoff return duties in 2012, in addition to his role as punt returner.

4. Ace Sanders: South Carolina

Ace Sanders is being counted on to step in for departed wide receiver Alshon Jeffery on offense, but nobody's stepping in for Sanders on special teams.

The 5'8", 175-pound rising junior returned 16 punts for 149 yards and one touchdown last season, and he's returned 25 punts for 165 yards throughout his Gamecocks career.

Sanders is shifty in the hole and has the speed to break away when he finds the seam. 

3. Jonathan Banks: Mississippi State

Jonathan Banks is known for being one of the SEC's top cornerbacks, but his work as a punt returner flew very much under the radar last season.

Banks returned 16 punts for 166 yards and one touchdown last season, which was his first as a punt returner.

The 6'2", 185-pounder is quick once he has the ball in his hands and a big-time weapon for head coach Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs.

2. Dustin Harris: Texas A&M

SEC fans may not know Dustin Harris now, but that should change once the season kicks off.

The rising senior led the nation in punt returns last season, returning 18 punts for 335 yards and one touchdown for an average of 18.9 yards per return.

While he's No. 2 on this list, Harris has proven throughout his Aggie career that he's one of the top special teams players in the Big 12. That will continue as Texas A&M transitions to the SEC in 2012.

1. Tyrann Mathieu: LSU

Tyrann Mathieu's cornerback skills are the subject of some debate, but his punt return skills are second to none.

Mathieu made a name for himself on special teams, returning 27 punts for 421 yards and two touchdowns last season for the LSU Tigers.

Not only were his returns eye-popping, they came at the most opportune times for the Tigers. 

In big games against Arkansas and Georgia, his punt returns for touchdowns sparked a stagnant LSU team, which led to blowouts in both contests.

Big players make big plays in big games, and Mathieu did that last season as a punt returner for LSU.

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