A former Florida Gator is solidifying the fact that he belongs in the National Football League. Tennessee Titans wide receiver and kick returner, Chimere Dike, is being called the arguably “best returner in football this season” by ESPN NFL analyst Benjamin Solak and someone who is a “budding star.” Solak even noted that he could have a case for All-Pro consideration on special teams. Why? For the consistent and big performances like he had on Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Chimere Dike has been the best returner in football this season. Has a legit case for All-Pro consideration on special teams as a rookie.
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 2, 2025
Dike on Sunday returned a punt return by Los Angeles 67 yards for a touchdown in the first to put Tennessee on top of the Chargers 13-7. The Chargers went on to defeat the Titans 20-27, but Dike’s punt return was a highlight that was talked about throughout the NFL.
Titans rookie Chimere Dike returns the punt 67 yards to the crib!
— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2025
LACvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/MwhrJASzKP
Earlier this season, on September 7 against the Denver Broncos, he returned a kickoff for 71 yards that ignited the Titans as well.
Former Florida Gators WR Chimere Dike with a 71-yard kick return pic.twitter.com/m1XgKBklGQ
— Tyler Carmona (@TylerCarmona) September 7, 2025
Chimere Dike lights it up as a returner
So far this season, as a receiver, Dike has 21 receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown. His longest return was 38 yards, and he averages 9.2 yards per carry.
But it’s his kick and punt return ability that is being recognized as something special, as he showed on Sunday and in September.
In his rookie campaign in the AFC South division, the fourth-round pick out of the University of Florida has 42 kick returns in nine games played for 1,108 yards, averaging 26.4 yards per return, and his longest was 71 yards in September.
On punt returns, Dike has 10 returns for 195 yards, averaging 19.5 yards per return, and his longest came on Sunday night against the Chargers for 67 yards.
The Wisconsin native is picking up right where he left off in the NCAA and proving that he has what it takes to compete in the NFL. During his senior season at the University of Florida, he had 42 catches and ranked second in career-high receiving yards with 783 and touchdowns with two. He averaged an SEC-leading 16 ½ yards per punt return.
In his NFL rookie season he is already keeping up with that and then some with his kick return of 71 yards and his punt return for 67.
If Dike continues to play the way he has so far this season, he is going to be a weapon for Tennessee and a player who will impact the game for years to come.