The Baltimore Ravens are taking huge steps to elevate their special teams game. They signed up for a one-year contract with local speedster Deonte Harty, working as the return specialist who could lead them into the kick game fray.

There is no question that Harty has exhibited his tenacity in his playground. The 26-year-old was a hard-hitting standout at Archbishop Curley High, piling up over 2,000 all-purpose yards during his senior year. Despite putting up video game numbers, Harty’s 5’6″ frame scared off Division-I programs.

But that didn’t stop this waterbug from shining. At Division II’s Assumption College, Harty was simply unstoppable, setting the NCAA record with 14 combined kick return TDs over his career. He left as the all-time leader in all-purpose yards too with a silly 6,173 to his name.

After going undrafted in 2019, Saints coach Sean Payton immediately scooped up the local product. A smart move, as Harty earned All-Pro honors that rookie season, leading the league in punt return yards and taking one to the house.

Last year in Buffalo, Harty stayed white-hot in the return game. The lightning rod averaged a stellar 12.4 yards per punt return, including a 96-yard TD bomb against Miami that helped seal the AFC East for the Bills. For his career, he boasts ridiculous averages of 10.4 yards per punt return and 25.2 per kick return.

Deonte Harty perfect fit for the new kickoff rules

With the NFL implementing new kickoff rules to revive the return game, Harty’s homecoming couldn’t come at a better time. By lining up teams before the kick, the league projects a massive spike in returns – setting the stage for game-breakers like Baltimore’s new addition.

“I love the fact that kickoff returns are going to be back,” said Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday. His special teams coordinator will surely feel the same after adding a bonafide weapon like Harty to the arsenal.

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Despite his electric college tape, Harty’s size kept him from getting legit pro looks out of Assumption. But just like back in the day, he’s ready to prove the doubters wrong and ball out for his hometown squad. Devin Duvernay was the Ravens’ great kick and punt returner. But after last season they lost him to free agency. So now, Harty and Tylan Wallace will probably compete to take over that return man role for the Ravens.

With a dynamite return man like Harty and kickoffs about to make a major comeback, the Ravens kick game just got scary. Opposing coverage units, you’ve been warned – this local baller is coming home to stake his claim.