Senior punt returner Devon Wylie has provided quarterback
Derek Carr and company with good field position throughout
the season.
Dalton Runberg / The Collegian
Fresno State redshirt senior wide receiver Devon Wylie has flourished this season with his special teams play. This season he has already been awarded twice for the national punt returner of the week from College Football Performance Awards.
Wylie is considered the fastest player to ever come through Fresno State and was clocked running the 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds during fall camp the offseason before his junior season. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound punt returner has electrified the nation, as he is one of top returners in the country. He has two punt return touchdowns so far this season.
In the Boise State game, Wylie provided the lone bright spot for Fresno State with his 79-yard return on Oct. 7. Wylie’s second touchdown came against No. 10 Nebraska on a 67-yard return to start Fresno State off on the right foot at Memorial Stadium.
Wylie has provided Fresno State with a spark all season, leading the nation with 425 punt return yards this season and averaging 60.7 punt return yards per game.
He continues to give the offense good field position giving them an extra 17.7 yards per punt return, which ranks eighth-best nationally. With Wylie contributing so much to the special teams, he sees how important his returns are.
“I’m glad I can contribute to the team,” Wylie said. “I’m just glad to help out the offense with field position.”
The Bulldogs have not only received quality punt returns this year, but a large quantity as well. He has returned more punts than any two players in the Western Athletic Conference. He is second in the nation in total punts with 24 one behind Alabama’s Marquis Maze. Wylie current leads Maze by 91 punt return yards.
“I like to return anything possible. Our defense does a good job of stopping teams in punting position,” Wylie said.
Wylie was named to Phil Steele’s midseason All-America second team as a punt returner last week.
Wylie has missed at least four games due to injury in each of the previous three years. He was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA after injuring his foot his senior year.
Not only has Wylie demonstrated knack for making plays on special teams, he also has made his presence felt on the offense. He is fifth on the team in receptions with 19 and has over 50 yards receiving three different times this year. He is also fourth in net rushing yards.
“I come out and play on [offense and special teams] as hard I can,” Wylie said. “Whether I get the ball in a game or not isn’t in my power. If I get open, I get open. I just have to hope I can make as many plays as possible.”