A smart coach finds a way to get the ball in the hands of a play maker, no matter their level of experience. Some players will find their way onto the field, with the ball in their hands, no matter where they sit on the depth chart.
True Freshman Keyon Lesane is that type of player.
He enters Week 1 of the 2019 season third on the depth chart at Slot Receiver, behind Redshirt Sophomore Thayer Thomas and Graduate Senior Tabari Hines, who have an “OR” between their names.
Whether or not he moves up the chart at Slot Receiver this year is unknown, but what is known, is that head coach Dave Doeren found a way to get the ball in his hands in Week 1 by naming him the starter at Kick Returner.
“He consistently made plays with the ball in his hands. He’s a fearless guy. He likes contact, he’ll tell you he likes running the football, probably more than catching it. And as a returner, he’s one of those guys that will just go. Some guys dance, he will hit it. And so it’s nice to have a guy like that that’ll run through. And it’s just about the plays he’s made. You saw it in the spring game. He gives us a guy that can do some things after he touches it. He’s fearless.” Doeren said at his weekly press conference.
Lesane did a little bit of it all at Butler High School (Matthews, North Carolina). He played wide receiver, inside and outside. He ran the ball, picking more touchdowns on the ground than through the air as a Senior (6-4). He returned punts and kickoffs. He played defensive back.
Lesane plays the game with a chip on his shoulder, and maybe that’s because he was so underrated in high school.
#42 in NC – ESPN
#44 in NC – Rivals
#54 in NC – 247 Sports
Throughout Fall Camp, Lesane’s teammates and coaches have been buzzing about him.
On Saturday, Lesane has the opportunity to spread that buzz all throughout the stands at Carter-Finley Stadium.
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