South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-10 greatest kick and punt returners of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 10 Greatest Kick/Punt Returner of All-Time:
WR Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks (1988-1991) came to South Carolina as a speedy running back but was too talented just to sit on the bench behind starter Harold Green, so head coach Joe Morrison found different ways to get Brooks on the field. He was moved to receiver but also saw extensive work as a return man in his career.
As a freshman in 1988, Brooks returned a kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown in a one-score victory over Virginia Tech. He continued being a good kick returner for the remainder of his career, but he got less work returning kicks and punts the older he got. The excellence as a return man continued into his NFL career as Brooks took back three kicks (two kickoffs and one punt) in his Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame career.