Bill Busch is looking for one thing from his punt and kickoff returners — 100 percent possession of the football.

Put it on the turf too often, and your name will likely be crossed off Busch's long list of candidates to return kicks.

"They've got to catch it first," said Busch, Nebraska's special- teams coordinator. "They can be amazing with the ball in their hands, but if they're dropping one out of every four punts or kickoffs, either way, then they won't be a factor."

Maybe, then, that's why Kade Pittman will likely see his name high on the season's first depth chart, which will be released today.

"Catching the ball is the easy part, I think," said Pittman, a redshirt freshman from North Platte. "Doing something with it afterward is the hard part. (But) I'm pretty confident with my hands and stuff."

Pittman, who played I-back and returned punts and kicks in high school, said he has worked with the No. 1 kickoff return unit, along with I-back Tierre Green and wide receiver Willie Amos. Nebraska is looking to replace Josh Davis, who set a school and Big 12 Conference record with 2,265 career return yards.

Davis also served as the Huskers' top punt returner in 2003. That job will likely go to I-back Cory Ross, who returned six punts last season as Davis' backup. Other candidates appear to be safety Josh Bullocks, cornerback Cortney Grixby and Pittman.

"I think if I get a chance to maybe return some kicks, maybe a punt or two, kind of show that I can make plays … then maybe I can kind of work my way into the offense," said Pittman, a backup I-back who played wide receiver last season. "Just get your foot in the door."

Busch said he wanted to wait until today to address specific players in the hunt for positions. After all, coaches have sifted through 15 or 16 guys this fall, looking for the right one.

Each one has had a fair shake. Well, as long as he catches the ball.

"We're going to have a difference-maker out there," Busch said. "We'll get the best person out there available. It doesn't matter if they're a starter on offense, defense. Wherever they're at on the depth chart, we're going to get the best returner out there possible."

Busch said youth isn't an issue, either. Grixby has been returning punts. Brandon Jackson and Terrence Nunn have been getting looks on kickoffs. All are true freshmen.

But making the special-teams adjustment from high school to college isn't easy. Just ask Ross.

"I mean, I ain't going to lie," Ross said of his first time returning punts. "I was shaking a little bit, my heart thumping. I'm like, ‘I cannot drop this.' Now, I'm out there more relaxed. I've got a comfort level … just catch it and go.

"(It) is a big jump. Those guys kick that ball so high and so far. If you get a couple of live scrimmages, even game situations, get back there, get used to it, that helps a whole lot. That helped me a lot, being back there, catching a couple live."

Ross averaged 10.3 yards on six punt returns last season, with a long return of 30 yards. He had one punt return for 25 yards as a freshman.

The only other Husker with punt return experience is Bullocks. He averaged 16 yards on three returns last season, with a long return of 26 yards.

"I've been out there practicing," Bullocks said. "If they need me, then I'm going to be back there. We'll just have to wait and see."

Bullocks is no stranger to holding the ball. He played I-back and receiver in high school while also returning punts and kicks.

Oh, and then there's the 10 interceptions he had last season.

"That's why when I'm out there on defense, I'm always trying to make a play on the ball, because I just want the ball," Bullocks said. "I'm so used to having the ball."

Return men for punts and kickoffs won't be the only area of intrigue on the season's first depth chart today.

There have been battles throughout the fall for starting spots at fullback (Dane Todd and Steve Kriewald) and left rush end (Jay Moore and Benard Thomas). At kicker, sophomore David Dyches has tried to hold off senior Sandro DeAngelis for starting duties.

While some starting spots are secure, some top backup positions should be solidified. Among the most interesting battles for second-string are at quarterback (Ryan Goodman and Beau Davis) and I-back (David Horne, Green and Jackson).

Reach Brian Rosenthal at brosenthal@journalstar.com.