2006 Best Small School Return Specialists

I-AA
The Best:

WR RONDREIKAS DARBY S.C. State – Has 4 career TDs on returns. Averaged 13.7y/pr (TD) and 25.6y/kr in ’04. 2005: PR-13y/pr, TD, KR-610y, 30.5y/kr, 2TDs
RB STEVE SILVA Holy Cross – A Special Teams POY in the Patriot League. Scored 2TDs and averaged 18y/pr on Punts and gained 462 yards, averaged 24.3y/kr and scored a TD on Kick Returns.
RB NICK TURNER Murray State – Transfer Mississippi State. Scored 4 career return TDs. 2005: PR-147y, 10.5y/pr, TD, KR-658y, 26.3y/kr, TD
CB R. RICKY WILLIAMS Bethune-Cookman – Was the I-AA Kick Return leader this season, averaged 31.4y/kr on 659 yards and scored 2TDs.

The Rest:
WR TYJUAN MASSEY Robert Morris – School record-breaking returnman. Averaged 30.8y/kr this season.
WR MARQUAY McDANIEL Hampton – In 2004 he averaged 16.9y/pr and scored 2TDs. Is All MEAC. 2005: PR: 699y, 14.6y/pr
SS CORTLAND FINNEGAN Samford – An experienced returner that averaged 32.2 y/kr and scored 2TDs as a freshman. 2005: PR-212y, 15.1y/pr, TD, KR-376y, 25.1y/kr
CB DENNIS MITCHELL Western Kentucky – Was 6^th in the I-AA with a 16.1y/pr average and scoring a TD. 2004: PR-273y, 11.4y/pr, TD, KR-448y, 21.3y/kr.

WR JAMES VERNON Southern - Was 2^nd in I-AA with 18.7y/pr and a TD.

DII
The Best:
RB JOSH KNIESS Slippery Rock – Could be the most dominating PR in DII. Has 6 career PR TDs, with two in ’03, three in ’04 and one in ‘05. Will give a solid 18y/pr average.
CB MARCUS WRIGHT Kentucky State University – A dominating PR that could be the best in DII. Has 6 career TDs in returns. In 2004 he gained 412y, averaged an amazing 29.4y/pr and scored 2TDs (KR: 505y, 26.6y/kr, TD). 2005: PR: 525y, 20.2y/pr, 2TDs, KR: 816y, 24.7y/kr TD
WR JIM LUKOWIAK Southern Connecticut - Set two New England Division II Punt Return records. Has 4 career PR TDs.
DB DANIEAL MANNING Abilene Christian – Has 5 career TDs on special teams.
WR PJ BERRY Virginia State – Was 2^nd in I-AA with 516y, 34.4y/kr and a TD on KR’s. Also averaged 11.9y/pr and scored a TD on a PR.

The Rest:

RB DERRICK STICKLES West Liberty State - Scored 2TDs on
KR this season (572y, 28.6y/kr)
WR JUSTIN GALLAS Colorado Mines – Gained an impressive 1256y on
kick returns averaging 30.6y/kr and scored a TD on a 100 yard return.
WR EDDIE MONTGOMERY St. Augustine College – Scored 2TDs on
Punt Returns (287y, 13.0 avg).
SS ANDREW SIGGINS Millersville – Had only 9 KR attempts but
was eye opening, he gained 304y, averaged 33.8y/kr and scored 2TDs.
FS CHAD GURICA Hillsdale – Gained 645y and
averaged 22.2y/kr on kick returns in 2004. This season he
dominated with 528y, 33y/kr and 3TDs on KR’s.

DIII
The Best:
DB WES HOSTETLER Ohio Northern - He led the league with an average of 15.6 yards per punt return and was second in kickoffs with a 31.5 return average. Returned 30 punts for a school record 467 yards and two touchdowns. In this years Aztec Bowl he returned both a punt and kick for a TD.
DB NATHAN SMITH Gettysburg - Is an All-American and an All CC KR. Is one of the nation’s premier return specialists, was fourth in DIII with an average of 30 y/kr. He scored 3TDs on kick returns this season, giving him 4 his career.

The Rest:
WR PJ WILLIAMS Mary Hardin-Baylor - Is an All-American that averaged 17.4 y/pr and returned two punts for TDs this season. He also set an NCAA record with 278 punt return yards in one game.
WR BRANDON HAZENBERG Linfield – Was NWC ST-POY in 2004 when he led the nation in punt returns with a 22.9 average.
WR AARON KREPPS Washington & Jefferson – An All American player that had 3TDs on returns this season. 2005: PR: 314y, 15.7y/pr, 2TDs, KR: 443y, 24.6y/kr, TD
DB JOE SEEP Wisconsin-Stout – An All American that, for the second consecutive season, led the conference in punt returns and ranked seventh nationally. Averaged a school-record 16.0 yards per return and scoring twice, and also has averaged 20.8 yards per kickoff return for his career.
RB ADAM SCOTT Husson - In 7 games this season he had 305 KR yards, averaged 30.5 y/kr and scored.

NAIA
The Best:
WR MICAH CRAVALHO Evangel University – An All American punt returner that is argueably the best in the NAIA. Gained 518 yards and scored 4TDs on Punt Returns while averaging 23.5 y/pr. Has scored a TD by both KR and PR in the same game.

The Rest:
WR PETER GARIBALDI Bethel (KS) – A unanimous 1st Team All Conference choice at returner. Averaged 17.6 y/pr and scored 2 TDs on Punt Returns.
WR JARROD NOWMAN St. Xavier - All-MSFA First Team as a return specialist. He returned 24 punts for 355 yards (14.8 yards per return) and two scores.
WR KRIS SMILEY McPherson Was an All-American in 2004 as a kick returner, he ranked fourth nationally with a 30.0 yards per return average. Is a transfer from Grambling.
BOBBY ANTEE Lambuth – Ranked 5^th in NAIA with a 28.9 y/kr average.