A season ago Bra’Lon Cherry lost the punt returner job to Bo Hines because he was not sure handed enough, but things have changed for the Pack and Cherry this season.  NC State was anemic in the punt return game last season, ranking last in the ACC.  In fact they only averaged 3.6 yards per return.  Cherry has made it his mission to turn this weakness into a strength for the Wolfpack this season.  Through three games Cherry has helped bolster the Pack’s average to 18.4 yards per return.  The job of the punt returner is a difficult one, in fact it may be one of the most difficult positions in football.  Think about all the factors that one must process as they not only keep their eyes skyward to catch the ball, but must also navigate how many defenders are flying full speed towards them.  Fair catch?  Let it go?  How much will the wind affect it?  Is it sunny?  Where are my blockers?

All of these questions must be answered in the matter of seconds.  Indecision can lead to a disastrous turnover or a loss of valuable yards in field position.  Cherry seems to be adjusting and thriving as the punt returner  this season.  Against Eastern Kentucky, Cherry had 74 yards on four returns and could of become the first NC State player to cross the 100 yards returned on punts since 2004 were it not for a questionable block in the back call.  For the season Cherry has 161 total return yards on punts, which is good enough for a 20.1 average, ranking 4th in the ACC.  To put this in perspective through three games Cherry has almost three times as many yards as the entire team had in the entire 2014 season (62).

If Cherry continues to have success in the return game as the season progresses it will help the Pack drastically as they can expect to have a shorter field to work with and take pressure off of the offense. NC State plays South Alabama tonight on ESPN News at 8pm.  Keep an eye on Cherry as he will look to build upon a strong start to the season in the punt return game.