However, theres also a trio of three pint-sized players who could end up making it in the NFL playing exclusively, or almost so, as return men: LSUs Trindon Holliday (5-5 , 165), Kansas States Brandon Banks (5-7 , 149) and Floridas Brandon James (5-7 , 183).
Holliday is the most intriguing of the three. He was the NCAA track champion in the 100 meters in 2009 and second in the 60 meters in both 08 and 09, and he holds the schools second-best times in the 60 meters (6.54 seconds) and 100 meters (10.0 seconds). He said hes hoping to run 40-yard dash in his workout Friday in 4.23 seconds or less, which would be among the fastest times in combine history.
Holliday was a little-used backup running back at LSU (110 career carries) but will get a long look by NFL teams as a possible field-tilting return man. In his career at LSU he averaged 24.2 yards a kickoff return (two touchdowns) and 14.7 yards a punt return (two touchdowns). Hell also work out at the combine as a receiver, though he has spotty hands and is a raw route runner in the passing game.
Hes almost like a (Devin) Hester (of Chicago) coming out, the special-teams coach said. He didnt play much offense, but Im going to tell you this guy has some unbelievable numbers. Now hes little, but he has some big numbers over a long time.