We've debated the Big Ten's best defensive player, and we've argued about the conference's top offensive threat. So it's only fair that we now head on over to special teams.
So, today's question: Who's the B1G's most valuable player on special teams?
Dan Murphy: Maryland's Will Likely
In case you’ve forgotten how quickly Likely can turn a punt return seam into seven points, here’s a reminder. And another one.
The Terps’ senior averaged more punt return yards per game (38.1) than anyone in the country last season. He also added another 71 yards per game on kick returns en route to more than 3,000 all-purpose yards while primarily playing defensive back. He did all of that despite playing in only 11 games.
His 233 punt-return yards in the season opener against Richmond last season broke a 76-year-old Big Ten record. After that, most teams learned that it was worth sacrificing a few yards of field position to try to punt the ball as far away from Likely as possible, and he still produced some eye-popping results.
It will be fun to see how his impact in all three phases of the game can grow in his final season, under a new coaching staff. Head coach D.J. Durkin comes from the Jim Harbaugh school of using your athletes in any position that allows them to excel. Likely experimented with some offensive cameos last fall and it’s safe to expect he’ll find his way into the game plan again this season. He also has Pete Lembo running Maryland’s special teams. Lembo arrived after leaving his head coaching position at Ball State, and the Cardinals finished among the top three MAC schools in kick return, kick coverage, punt return and punt coverage stats last fall. Lembo might have the knowledge to crack open a few more of those seams for Likely in 2016.
Not only does Likely post the best numbers in the Big Ten on special teams, but he also has the most value to his overall team at that spot. Maryland struggled mightily on offense a year ago and will need some time before it starts lighting up the scoreboard. Durkin, a former defensive coordinator, and his staff should help the Terps get a little more stingy. That means a couple big returns from Likely could end up swinging close games in College Park in the coming year.
Josh Moyer: Rutgers' Janarion Grant
No doubt, Likely is one of the best punt returners in the nation. If De'Mornay Pierson-El were healthy, he'd also be in the conversation.
But at kick returner? Neither player is better than Grant.
The Rutgers senior tied a single-season Big Ten record by returning three kickoffs for touchdowns last season, and only one player in the nation -- Kansas State's Morgan Burns -- fared better. Grant's 24.6-yard average bested Likely by two full yards (22.5), as he finished near the top of the conference in both kick returns and punt returns. He even added a fourth total return TD on punts.
The biggest drawback for Grant here is obviously the opposite of Likely: He's not quite as good at punt returns. But, for as electric as Likely was, his numbers were also a bit inflated. (See: Richmond, an FCS school.) Against the five opponents Maryland played with top-50 punt defenses, Likely averaged just 8 yards per return. And, when comparing Grant and Likely's six common opponents, Grant actually had the higher punt-return average -- mostly because of his impressive 67-yard return against Michigan.
That's not to suggest that Grant is the better punt returner. He's not. But Grant isn't as far behind Likely as most people think.
Rutgers' punt-return defense was one of the worst in the nation last season. And new special-teams coordinator Vince Okruch believes an improved unit here in the spring will better prepare Grant for the season. That's not a stretch, considering Grant has shown noticeable progress each year. On his first college touch in 2013, he returned a kickoff for a 100-yard touchdown. In 2014, he was named the most improved offensive player in the spring. And in 2015, he set a school record for both career and single-season return yardage.
Grant should have another big season in 2016 -- and that's why he's my pick. Likely has the edge on punts; Grant has the edge on kickoffs. But I believe Grant has the ability to further close the gap on Likely's specialty.