After graduating his starting quarterback Brad Maurer and All-Patriot League tailback Jonathan Hurt, Lafayette head coach Frank Tavani wasn't sure who would step up to lead the team's offense.
But Shaun Adair might have changed that when he returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown in the Leopards' blowout win over Marist to start the season.
The junior has more than proven his worth even with the football season is its infancy, shouldering the roles not only at wide receiver and punt returner, but also kick returner and as a gunner on the punt team.
"He's a difference-maker kind of guy," Tavani said. "You like to get the ball in his hands as many times as you can because he has the ability to make things happen as a great athlete with tremendous speed."
"He has a lot of ability and really good speed," Penn head coach Al Bagnoli said. "I think [Lafayette] recognizes that they have a special athlete and I think they're doing a better job at trying to utilize him and try to help them win games."
And with Maurer and Hurt gone, there was a gap in leadership and athleticism on offense that Tavani hoped Adair would step up to fill.
The junior has more than shown his ability to respond to the pressure.
Adair's versatility started in high school when he ran on the track team in addition to playing football.
He continued to run during his freshman year on the track team at Lafayette, and accredits at least some of his ability on the football field to track workouts.
"Lafayette's track coach [Penn alumnus Julio Piazza] was able to open up my stride a lot and improve my speed and help me out in my flexibility," Adair said. "Track in general also just really helped keep my endurance up."
Adair has found the end zone in each of Lafayette's two contests this year. Tavani expects a big season from the junior, and is pleased with his productivity so far this year.
"He's very goal-oriented, wants to excel and do well and knows he's out there returning punts and kicks to make a difference and to make big plays," Tavani said. "So far, so good and I'm sure, as I've told him, the target on him gets bigger and bigger."
That is certainly not lost on Bagnoli.
Adair played a minor role for the Leopards in the team's loss to Penn last year, grabbing only 48 receiving yards.
But Bagnoli has tracked the junior's progress and is well aware of the challenge he promises to pose for Penn's defense.
"He's a dynamic kid, so he's someone we obviously have to know where he is and we just have to be aware of his presence the whole time and make sure that he can't single-handedly beat us," Bagnoli said. "He's going to get his touches so we just have to make sure that we try to control him the best we can."
