Former UNC star wide receiver–and current Dallas Cowboy–Ryan Switzer was named Tuesday to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team as a kick returner.

Drafted in the fourth round (133rd overall) by the Cowboys this past offseason, Switzer was the team’s primary return option on both kicks and punts this past season.

He finished third in the entire NFL with a 25-yard average on his 24 kick return attempts, posting a season-long 61-yard return against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Although there were only seven kickoffs returned for touchdowns in the entire NFL this season, Switzer did manage to record an 83-yard punt return touchdown during a game against the Washington Redskins–making him one of just nine players in the league to accomplish that feat in 2017.

His situation in Dallas could ultimately look similar to what he went through while at UNC.

Before setting school records with 293 career receptions and 2,903 receiving yards, Switzer initially made a name for himself in the return game.

The West Virginia native finished just one shy of the NCAA career record with seven punt return touchdowns to his credit while in college, with five of those coming during his freshman campaign.

Switzer caught just six passes for 41 yards as a rookie receiver in the NFL, but his production should continue to increase as he gets more comfortable playing the position at the professional level.

 

Photo via Michael Ainsworth (Associated Press)

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