Top return specialists to watch in 2020

With the 2020 football season still a couple of months away, we take a look at some of the top athletes in the state that put their skill set to use in the special teams department. Today, we examine some of the top return specialists that were capable of a big return any chance they got. Here is a list of some of the top return specialists that come back to their respective teams this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22530" first="Myles" last="Purchase"], 2021, 5’11, 170, CB/RB, Cherry Creek</span></strong> Plain and simple: if you get [player_tooltip player_id="22530" first="Myles" last="Purchase"] out in open space, he will find a way to break to the end zone. All four of his interceptions on defense last season were returned for touchdowns, and he used those same skills on kickoff and punt returns for the Class 5A state champions. Purchase broke kickoff returns of 94 and 92 yards for touchdowns early in the regular season and then hit some big punt returns late, a 91-yard return versus Cherokee Trail and a 74-yard return in the playoffs versus Fairview. He finished the season averaging 41.3 yards per kickoff return and 22 yards per punt return. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">on Randall, 2021, 6’0, K/Ret, Faith Christian</span></strong> Randall may be looking for more playing time on offense and defense, but his presence in the special teams department was huge for the Eagles in their run to the quarterfinals of the Class 2A state playoffs. Randall had kickoff returns that went for 99, 92 and 91 yards and averaged 37.2 yards per return on 15 returns. In the punt game, he had a high of 75 yards and averaged 10.8 yards per return on 17 punt returns. He finished with four kickoff returns for touchdowns and a punt return taken back for a score. Randall also kicks field goals, so his play is crucial for Faith Christian in the special teams department. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22581" first="Jarrell" last="Trahan"], 2021, 5’9, 175, CB/RB, Highlands Ranch</span></strong> Trahan did not reach the end zone in the return game based on stats from maxpreps.com, but he can hit a big play in the return game and change momentum for the Falcons when given the chance. He did a good job of seeing his blocks set up and then hitting the lanes in the return department, resulting in him averaging 19.9 yards per kickoff return on 27 attempts. Most of his responsibilities came on kickoffs, but he also had five punt returns. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22618" first="Kory" last="Tacha"], 2021, 6’0, 200, RB/LB, Limon</span></strong> Named the Class 1A Player of the Year by the Colorado High School Activities Association, Tacha helped lead Limon to the Class 1A state championship over the Strasburg Indians. Most of his honors came from what he did on offense and defense, but Tacha also made an impact returning kicks. He averaged 23.3 yards per kickoff return on 15 attempts and 13.7 yards per punt return on 11 attempts, and he took one kickoff and punt return to the end zone. Expect Tacha to be dangerous any chance he gets the ball in his hands for Limon again this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Braycen Buxman, 2021, 5’10, 140, RB/WR, Resurrection Christian</span></strong> Buxman is a shifty athlete that Resurrection Christian used in a variety of ways on offense last year, and he was also asked to return kickoffs and punts for the Cougars. While he only had eight punt returns last season, he made the most of his chances and averaged a whopping 20 yards per return. One of those returns went for a touchdown of 66 yards in a win over Weld Central. His kickoff return numbers were also staggering, averaging 30.5 yards per return on 11 returns and one touchdown return of 98 yards in a win over the Eaton Reds. Teams may be wise to kick away from Buxman, because if you do give him a shot, he can make you pay.