Steph Louis, Jakobi Meyers among the candidates to return kicks for NC State

NC State had the luxury of sending Nyheim Hines back to return kicks for a long time—Hines led NC State in kickoff returns in each of the last three seasons. He was also the team’s leading punt returner in 2017. The Wolfpack will replace him with talented guys, just not guys with a lot of experience in these roles.

During a quick meeting with media members on Tuesday, Dave Doeren discussed the situation at returner, and mentioned Jakobi Meyers, Steph Louis, Maurice Trowell, and Thayer Thomas as standouts so far during spring practice.

Of that group, only Trowell has returned a kick in a college game before—he had two kickoff returns for 57 yards last season. Doeren makes it sound like the transition has been difficult so far, but no doubt that these guys have the potential to be game-breakers as punt or kickoff returners. Let’s just hope they’re quick learners.