The improvement of Kansas City Chiefs running back Deneric Prince has made waves since offseason workouts started back in June. The undrafted rookie signed with the Chiefs after the draft and has been on a mission to make the final roster ever since.
Prince has been involved in many facets of Kansas City’s training camp, with clips circulating of him working with Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense as well as on Dave Toub’s special teams unit.
After Toub spoke highly of Prince’s performance last week, the veteran special teams coordinator announced on Saturday that the undrafted rookie will serve as the Chiefs’ kick returner for their preseason opener, according to Nate Taylor of the Athletic.
The proclamation occurred during Toub’s conversation with reporters after practice where he made his desire to see what the rookie can do in a live game clear. Toub has also declared there will be “no fair catches” during Kansas City’s first preseason exhibition against the Saints in New Orleans next Sunday.
Dave Toub: “We’re not going to fair catch.” https://t.co/9wQ7Js7brv
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 5, 2023
Prince had just four kickoff returns for 68 yards as a collegian in 2020 but has shown exceptional skill as a returner during training camp. He will follow a trend that has seen past Chiefs rookies start on special teams before eventually being integrated into the offense.