Switching from college quarterback to NFL returner is something entirely new for Keenan Reynolds.

But this isn't the first time Baltimore Ravens special-teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg is helping someone make this position change. Rosburg was the special-teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2005, when Josh Cribbs went from throwing the ball in college to transforming into one of the NFL's all-time best returners.

"They’re two completely different guys," Rosburg said of Reynolds and Cribbs. "There’s been a precedent, though, and we’ve talked to him about it -- he’s not the only one."

The Ravens' message to Reynolds is that this is going to be a challenge. It's just not an insurmountable one.

Cribbs, who is a more powerful runner than Reynolds, scored eight touchdowns on kickoff returns and three on punt returns from 2005 to 2014. He owns three NFL records for returners and seven for the Browns.

The biggest success story of a college quarterback converting to NFL returner was Brian Mitchell, who ranks first all time for combined yardage (23,330) for a non-wide receiver in NFL history. Mitchell's 13 special-teams touchdowns are second in NFL history, behind Devin Hester, and his nine punt-return touchdowns are third.

Reynolds worked on his skills as a returner with Mitchell leading up to the draft.

"It's been several guys that have come before me that have been able to make the transition successfully," Reynolds said. "So I've been trying to model my game after them, talk to them, and just hear what they have to say."

When the Ravens heard about Reynolds working with Mitchell, coach John Harbaugh called Mitchell on the morning of the draft. Harbaugh, who coached Mitchell when both were with the Eagles, was looking for critical feedback.

"I told him that I think he's light years ahead of me where I was coming out of college," Mitchell told Comcast SportsNet. "He then said, 'If I had a pick, would I take him?' I said, 'Hell yes.' I believe in him."

The Ravens selected Reynolds in the sixth round by making a projection because Reynolds had never been a returner. As a triple-option quarterback at Navy, Reynolds had to make quick decisions and be elusive in tight spaces, which should serve him well in running back kicks.

Reynolds is also learning how to play at wide receiver, on punt team and on kickoff coverage. He was impressive with how he ran routes and caught difficult passes this offseason.

But, if Reynolds wants to make the team, he is going to have to beat out Michael Campanaro and Kaelin Clay as Baltimore's primary returner. It didn't help Reynolds' development this offseason when he missed a practice due to Navy's graduation. The Ravens also had a full week of workouts canceled for putting rookies in pads.

“He’s getting as many reps as we can possibly give him," Rosburg said. "He’s starting from scratch, so it’s a long journey, but what we’ve seen on a daily basis is improvement."