One unexpected Cowboy can "return" Hall of Fame-caliber play to Dallas in 2022
The Dallas Cowboys found something during the offseason. KaVontae Turpin, who was named the USFL MVP for 2022, was signed to a three-year deal in July to be the Cowboys' primary return man. After gaining 57 yards on three total returns in the Cowboys' preseason opener, Turpin exploded a week later against the Los Angeles […]
The Dallas Cowboys found something during the offseason. KaVontae Turpin, who was named the USFL MVP for 2022, was signed to a three-year deal in July to be the Cowboys' primary return man.
After gaining 57 yards on three total returns in the Cowboys' preseason opener, Turpin exploded a week later against the Los Angeles Chargers. Turpin took a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and doubled down with a punt return that went for an 86-yard score.
Turpin set the Cowboys' community and the NFL world on fire with his electric playmaking ability and has ensured that guys like running back Tony Pollard and rookie wide receiver Jalen Tolbert won't have to be used to return kicks.
As far as what his impact will be, Cowboys' special team's coordinator, John Fassel, thinks he could resemble a future Hall of Famer.
“We’ve talked about the ‘Devin Hester effect’ quite a few times that Chicago had,” Fassel said. “Their blockers knew they had somebody that could score every time they touched the ball. The guys that were blocking for Hester — we’ve watched a ton of the tape, we’ve watched all of his touchdown returns — you could just see the relentless approach that those blockers had. It’s quite a relationship between returner and blocker when they each feed off each other and have confidence in one another.
“There’s just that little bit extra when the blockers, they’ve got somebody back there like Turp.”
Turpin isn't new to putting on a show in the return game. During his collegiate days at TCU, Turpin finished with four punt return touchdowns and six special teams scores total, both the most in school history. In the USFL, he led the league in punt return average (15.3).
Having a guy that can flip field position in a major way at any given time is a huge plus in the NFL and can be a catalyst to winning close ball games. Turpin may not reach the Devin Hester level this season, if ever, but his breakaway speed and ability to navigate through tight spaces can certainly be an asset to the Cowboys this season.
Turpin hasn't been on the Cowboys long, but Fassel says he won't surprise anyone with his ability this season.
“You sign a guy in the middle of training camp, I don’t know maybe if I was just hoping that there was going to be a secret with him. Maybe there wouldn’t have been,” said Fassel. “The secret’s out, and I think he’s going to be really good.”
Turpin will have plenty of eyes on him this Sunday in the Cowboys' season opener and beyond, and hopefully, for Dallas, he hits head on the goalpost a few times.
Feature image via Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
