By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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For maybe the first time ever, the most interesting facet of the Duke-UNC rivalry might have to do with the gridiron.

A pair of the greatest returners in the history of college football will make their respective bids for history in 2016, in the state of North Carolina.

For maybe the first time ever, the most interesting facet of the Duke-UNC rivalry might have to do with the gridiron.

Ryan Switzer, the Tar Heels jack-of-all-trades, all-purpose magician from the capital of West Virginia, is just one punt return touchdown shy of equaling Wes Welker and Antonio Perkins shared record of eight.

Switzer personally believes that he should already hold the record. x9cI have ten in my career,x9d Switzer grinned. x9cThree have stars by them that have gotten called back. So thats upsetting.x9d

Meanwhile in Durham, if DeVon Edwards can match his three kickoff return touchdowns from 2015, he will match the record of nine, currently held by Herbert Harris, who played at Lamar in the early x9880s. He only needs one more to move into a tie for second with C.J. Spiller and Tyron Carrier, the only players with more than six since Harris.

Edwards believes the key to being a good returner is, x9cMaking the most out of my opportunities. Returning kicks is a game of field position. You have to have an instinct, you have to hit the hole, you cant hesitate.x9d

Neither Switzer, nor Edwards would take the credit for themselves, though.

x9cOnce you trust the people around you, make your decision, and learn how to be fearless and go with your gut,x9d stated Edwards, x9cit turns out good for you.x9d

Switzer expanded on that sentiment. x9cWhen that ball is in the air, Im like x98aww shoot, here it comes. Sometimes you can tell when you have a chance to make something special happen,x9d he began. x9cA lot of it depends on the scheme that Coach Fedora calls. A lot of it depends on the kick that you get, and if the ten guys in front of you get a good hold up. Theres really so much that goes into a punt return that people dont take notice of.x9d

x9cBut I have been fortunate enough to have some great guys in front of me that have really taken pride in blocking,x9d Switzer continued. x9cThats being real selfless of them and putting their bodies out there for me. So it has been a collective effort to do what weve done this far.x9d

On a less serious note, Switzer conceded that he is, in his mind, the best return man in the game. x9cI would take myself over anybody that you could name,x9d he said.

I would take either one of these guys over most people you could name.