From KentStateSports.com:
The first day of spring practice saw some other familiar faces working out in new roles. Most noticeable was Dri Archer, who spent time working on fielding punts. Archer is one of the most electrifying players in the Mid-American Conference as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner, but he has seen very little time as a punt returner during his time in Kent.
That will change in Archer's senior season.
"If teams are going to stop kicking off to me, I have to find another way to get the ball," said Archer, who was an All-American kick returner last season when he averaged 36.9 yards per return with three touchdowns. "It's going to be harder for teams to punt away from me. I should get some more returns back there."
During Archer's senior meeting with Haynes, he asked the coach for the chance to get on the field during punts.
"He wanted to do it, and when you have a kid who wants to do it and has a passion for it, then it is all good," said Haynes. "It gives us another facet in the game where he can make a play. The game is field position, so now teams have to decide if they want to punt to him, punt away from him, or punt the ball out of bounds I'm excited that he wants to do it."
Tuesday was the first of 14 practices culminating in the annual Spring Game on April 27 at 6 p.m. at Dix Stadium.
Hands-On Day for Haynes in Spring Practice Opener
The first day of spring practice saw some other familiar faces working out in new roles. Most noticeable was Dri Archer, who spent time working on fielding punts. Archer is one of the most electrifying players in the Mid-American Conference as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner, but he has seen very little time as a punt returner during his time in Kent.
That will change in Archer's senior season.
"If teams are going to stop kicking off to me, I have to find another way to get the ball," said Archer, who was an All-American kick returner last season when he averaged 36.9 yards per return with three touchdowns. "It's going to be harder for teams to punt away from me. I should get some more returns back there."
During Archer's senior meeting with Haynes, he asked the coach for the chance to get on the field during punts.
"He wanted to do it, and when you have a kid who wants to do it and has a passion for it, then it is all good," said Haynes. "It gives us another facet in the game where he can make a play. The game is field position, so now teams have to decide if they want to punt to him, punt away from him, or punt the ball out of bounds I'm excited that he wants to do it."
Tuesday was the first of 14 practices culminating in the annual Spring Game on April 27 at 6 p.m. at Dix Stadium.
Hands-On Day for Haynes in Spring Practice Opener
