The thought of LSU return specialists conjures memories of former Tigers like Billy Cannon, Kevin Faulk, Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson.
Junior wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is on his way to adding his name to this list.
“It’s an honor to be even mentioned in the names of Tyrann and Pat,” Beckham said. “Those are the kind of guys that I looked up to as far as the return game.”
Beckham has shown a vast improvement from 2012 when he ran back just five kickoffs and gained a less-than-stellar 9.1 yards per punt return.
In two games, he has returned three punts for 59 yards (19.7 yards per return), five kickoffs for 157 yards (31.4 yards per return) and a short field goal attempt 100 yards for a touchdown.
These returns account for more than half of Beckham’s NCAA-leading 603 all-purpose yards.
It’s a tall order, but if he continues to run kicks back this effectively, he will cement his legacy as one of LSU’s greatest returners.
“One player in special teams can change the game,” said junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry. “I think with [Beckham’s] ability and the times he touches the ball, besides on offense, it gives us a great opportunity to put points on the board, and, if not, get in scoring position.”
Miles said Beckham has all the characteristics of a great playmaker, calling him “nifty” and “explosive,” and complimenting his attitude and approach to his return game.
“He sees himself making great plays,” Miles said. “… He says, ‘You know what? If I just beat that guy, this might go all the way. … He has that intangible that really some of the very best players around have.”
The field goal return was such an anomoly, LSU and the NCAA have had trouble finding a way to record the stat — the program virtually every team in the nation uses has nowhere to place it.
Beckham didn’t know what to say about the return, comparing it to something out of a video game.
In fact, he had other plans in mind when he saw UAB line up for the 59-yard field goal attempt.
“I was honestly hoping it was going just over the cross bar so I could jump up and block it,” he said. “But it ended up working for the better.”
After such a rare play, one would think Beckham has done it all. But there is one play that has evaded Tiger Stadium for more than 25 years.
There has not been a single kickoff returned for a touchdown in Death Valley since Notre Dame’s Tim Brown brought one back on Nov. 22, 1986. A Tiger has not returned one at home since former wide receiver Eric Martin on Oct. 17, 1981.
Beckham said he believes he had the opportunity to put an end to this near-32-year-old draught. It’s just a matter of taking advantage of them.
“I say he does it Saturday,” Landry said with a grin.
“He sees himself making great plays. … He says, ‘You know what? If I just beat that guy, this might go all the way. … He has that intangible that really some of the very best players around have.”