Texas State's special teams returns three people at the four primary specialist positions (field goal, punter and long snapper), with two – kicker Seth Keller and punter Seamus O'Kelly – on the cusp of moving up several school top-10s this year.
 
Check out the final position preview of 2022 fall camp: the specialists.
 
Who's Returning

• Seth Keller, kicker (redshirt junior; fourth year)
• Seamus O'Kelly, punter (junior; fourth year)
• Durham Harris, long snapper (sophomore; third year)
• David Nunez, punter (redshirt freshman; third year)
• Kaydon Olivia, long snapper (redshirt freshman; second year)
• Mason Shipley, kicker (redshirt freshman; second year)

Keller is already one of the best field goal kickers in program history – and he has an opportunity to be the best from a statistical standpoint. The Colleyville, Texas product is currently sixth in program history with 23 field goals made and within shot of the school record of 36 last set by Will Johnson in 2014. In 2021, Keller was 15-of-18 in field goals, which set the program record for field goals made in a season. He was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List this summer, an award given annually to the top kicker in the nation.
 
O'Kelly has attempted 183 punts in his Texas State career with an average of 39.1 yards and 71 fair catches. He has also pinned down the opponents inside the 20-yard line 54 times, including 17 last year. He had the best fair catch rate of his career last year, generating 27 fair catches on his 60 punts (45 percent).
 
Shipley did not appear in any games in 2021, which was his first in the program after transferring from Oklahoma State. The redshirt freshman figures to be a factor in kickoffs and long field goals if needed this season.
 
Nunez has been with the program since 2020 and had one punt – a 54-yarder against Georgia Southern – last year in his collegiate debut.
 
Harris was the team's starting long snapper a year ago and even snapped in three games in 2020 as a true freshman.
 
Who's Departed

• Jacob Bates, kickoffs 

Bates handled kickoff duties all of last season and transferred to Arkansas in the offseason.
 
Who's New

• Michael James, kicker (Rockwall High School)
• Valen Penn, long snapper (transfer from UNLV)

A true freshman, James originally committed to UCLA out of Rockwall, Texas, but he changed course and landed at Texas State over the summer. He has demonstrated range of 55+ yards on field goals in high school and an average of 65+ yards on kickoffs. He was the District 10-6A Special Teams MVP in 2021 as well.
 
Penn is originally from San Antonio and started his college career at UNLV.
 
What to Watch For
Will Keller become the all-time leader in Texas State history in field goals made? He has a career success rate of 85.2 percent (23-of-27) and made eight field goals in 2020 prior to last year's 15. He only needs 13 to match the record and with an offense that is loaded with weapons to create scoring opportunities, he could close in on the number when it is all said and done.
 
Other 2022 Position Previews
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Offensive Line
Tight Ends
Quarterbacks
Defensive Backs
Inside Linebackers
Outside Linebackers
Defensive Line
 
Preseason Camp Information
Texas State started official fall camp practices on August 3 and finished its last day of preseason camp on Saturday. Videos of the weekly press conferences are available at TXST.com/watch.
 
Ticket Information
Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now for the 2022 Texas State football season. Season tickets for all six home games start as low as $80 while single-game tickets start at $20. Fans can purchase their tickets today at TXST.com/tickets.