Rookies could be competing for job as primary kick returner
Trestan Ebner didn’t need long Friday to identify his favorite kickoff return from his five seasons at Baylor.
“Probably Iowa State,” Ebner said with a grin. “Called it in the huddle.”
Indeed, Ebner told teammates last September that Andrew Mevis’ third-quarter kickoff at McLane Stadium was coming to him and was about to go the distance the other way. A few moments later, he caught the football just outside the right hash marks at his 2-yard line and got rolling.
Ebner angled toward the middle of the field, made one sharp cut inside, then found daylight to his left. When he stepped on the gas, the Cyclones coverage team was finished. Receiver Darien Porter may have gotten a fingertip on Ebner’s right ankle around the Iowa State 30. But otherwise, it was highlight-reel material. Called and delivered.
That proved to be a pivotal play in a 31-29 Baylor win and offered evidence of the confidence, speed and vision that make Ebner dangerous. Now he’ll try to use those talents with the Bears.
Velus Jones rewound a little further when asked to identify the moment he realized he had gifts as a return man. Pop Warner, Jones said, as a 10-year-old in Alabama.
That’s when Jones, against a top-tier opponent that he said had lost only game in the previous half-decade, took a chance.
“The ball was just rolling on the ground and I picked it up,” he said. “But I remember at one point that I was slow picking it up so I could bring (the coverage team) in a little more. Then I scooped it up and
I knew I could get away with my speed.”
Jones used his blockers, found an opening and turned on the jets.
End zone. Touchdown. Celebration.
“I remember that like it was yesterday,” he said. “I realized sky’s the limit when it came to that. Ever since, I’ve just been perfecting my craft.”
Now Jones, too, will work to use those special skills to help him break through in the NFL.
As the Bears slowly make their way toward the starting line of the 2022 season with the team rebooting in so many ways, a special teams showdown between two explosive rookies should be fun to keep tabs on.
“It will be an exciting competition,” special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said Saturday.
Yes, general manager Ryan Poles drafted Jones and Ebner with visions of each carving out a significant role in the offense. But the two players’ special teams achievements also were circled and highlighted.
At Tennessee last season, Jones was the SEC’s Co-Special Teams Player of the Year after averaging 27.3 yards per kickoff return, including a 96-yard touchdown against South Alabama. He was also dangerous as a punt returner, finishing second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 15.1 yards per return.
Ebner, meanwhile, scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns in his Baylor career and last season was honored as the Big 12’s Special Teams Player of the Year.
Hightower has been quick to point out that the Bears’ bid to find a kick returner will include more than the two rookies. Running back Khalil Herbert and wide receiver Byron Pringle have NFL experience in that role and will get a look. Others could blend into the battle as well.
But there’s a lot to like about Ebner and Jones.
Ebner brings an aggressive mindset to the role and was quick to identify his strengths as a returner.
“It’s my vision to find the hole and hit it and the speed to pull it off,” he said.
Jones complements his blazing speed with an impressive combination of physicality and fearlessness.
“I’ve never, ever been afraid of contact,” he said. “Always run through the smoke. That’s a part of my DNA.”
A think-big mentality is also part of Jones’ wiring. So while he wore No. 12 for rookie minicamp over the weekend, he has aspirations of switching to No. 23. Yep, for Devin Hester.
“It would be nice to put that number on,” Jones said. “It’ll put a little pressure on myself. But it’s the kind of pressure you want. I just hope I can be half of what he was.”
So do the Bears.
For now, Jones and Ebner will continue getting their feet on the ground. When training camp intensifies in August, the two rookies will have opportunities to step up in a big way on special teams. Both remain eager for what’s ahead.