SPECIAL TEAMS
In regards to the NCAA-mandated eligibility freeze from the 2020 season, what I’ve learned is the player’s eligibility will continue to accrue. Once the player reaches his 4th or 5th season, depending on if the player uses a redshirt season, the player will have the option to return to school for a 5th or 6th season and continue playing one more season. The player will then move from being listed as a senior (Sr.) to a graduate senior (Gr-Sr.)
LONG SNAPPER
2021 players not returning: Jesse Vasquez (Transferred to California Lutheran)
2022 post-spring ball attrition: None
Returning players: Jacob Garica,
New Faces in 2022:
Caden Kellow 5’11” 220 (Khol’s 4.5*) – Ravenwood HS, TN – (Preferred Walk-on)
2021 (Sr.) Stats: Saw action in all 13 games
2020 (Jr.) Stats: Saw action in all 12 games
2019 (So.) Stats: Saw action in all 15 games
Offers from: None
Primary Recruiter: Bobby Dodd
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11091794/Caden-Kellow
2022 OUTLOOK
Sophomore Jacob Garcia has a firm hold on the top spot here. As a redshirt freshman in 2021, he saw action in all 14 games. As a true freshman in 2020, he did not see any action. Garcia is ranked as the No. 10 long snapper nationally by 247sports. As a senior at Servite High (CA) in 2019, he finished his career as the No. 3 rated long snapper by Rubio Long Snapping and the No. 4 rated long snapper in the country by Kohl’s Kicking School. Garcia puts his snaps right in the punter or holder’s hands nearly every time. His speed and timing in getting the ball to his target are exceptional. He also excels in his ability to get downfield and make a tackle once his primary job is complete. He prides himself on his accuracy.
True freshman preferred walk-on Caden Kellow will back up Garcia. As a senior at Ravenwood High (TN) in 2021, Kellow saw action in all 13 games. As a junior in 2020, he saw action in all 12 games. As a sophomore in 2019, he saw action in all 15 games. Kellow snaps with great power and consistency. He is consistently on target and has clean ball rotation. He is a strong athlete who has refined his mechanics to be repeatable each time. He stays aggressive with his pull and drives his upper body through his snapping motion. I believe he has the talent to play at this level and he has a very high ceiling.
PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
LONG SNAPPER
49 Jacob Garcia (6-0, 250, Jr., 1L, 3*)
50 Caden Kellow (5-11, 220, Fr., HS, NR)
PUNTER
2021 players not returning: None
2022 post-spring ball attrition: None
Returning players: Stephen Kotsanlee
New Faces in 2022:
Ryan Marks 6’0″ 200 (Kohl’s 5*) – Farmington HS, UT – (Preferred Walk-on; Return Missionary)
2019 (Sr.) Stats: 60 kickoffs 53 touchbacks; 38.4 yards per punt; 11 inside the 20; 6 of 8 FG attempts; 25 of 28 PAT attempts
2018 (Jr.) Stats: 42.6 yards per punt; 20 inside the 20
https://247sports.com/Player/Ryan-Marks-46093566/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/7964855/Ryan-Marks
2022 OUTLOOK
Junior Stephen Kotsanlee is without a doubt the starter at punter this season. As a sophomore in 2021, Kotsanlee punted in all 14 games and averaged 42.5 yards per punt, with a long punt of 54 yards. He also landed 19 punts inside the 20 and forced 20 fair catches. As a true freshman in 2020, he punted in all 6 games and averaged 40.7 yards per punt, with a long punt of 63 yards. He also landed 17 punts inside the 20 and forced 14 fair catches. For his effort, he earned Honorable Mention all-Mountain West honors. Kotsanlee is a punter from Australia. He has the Aussie style of punting, which brings him outside the pocket on his kicks. He does a good job of creating hangtime which allows the Aggie defenders plenty of time to cover the kick. He has good accuracy and he will only continue to improve.
Adding depth to the position is true freshman preferred walk-on Ryan Marks. Marks returned from serving an LDS Church mission in time to join the Aggies for spring ball. As a senior at Farmington High (UT) in 2019, Marks handled punting and kicking duties for the Phoenix as he averaged 38.4 yards per punt and landed 11 punts inside the 20. He also connected on 6 of 8 field goal attempts and hit 25 of 28 of his PAT attempts. As a junior in 2018, he averaged 42.6 yards per punt and landed 20 punts inside the 20. For his effort over his career Marks participated in the 2019 Under Armour All-American game. Marks ended his high school career ranked by Kohl’s Kicking School as the No.7 punter in the country. According to the Kohl’s rating system, He is not only a 5-star punter but he is a 4-star kicker as well. He punts from the traditional style of kicking. He kicks with poise and can hit a spiral that turns over very impressively. He has a big leg and will continue to improve.
PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
PUNTER
63 Stephen Kotsanlee (6-1, 215, Jr., 2L, 3*)
47 Ryan Marks (5-11, 225, Fr., HS, 3*)
KICKER
2021 players not returning: Nels Haltom (Graduation)
2022 post-spring ball attrition: Sam Hogan (No Longer with the Team); Joey Rouly (Transfer Portal)
Returning Players: Connor Coles, Elliott Nimrod
New Faces in 2022: None
2022 OUTLOOK
Graduate senior Connor Coles returns for his final season of eligibility as the returning starter at this position. As a senior in 2021, Coles kicked in all 14 games and made 20 of his 29 field goal attempts, and hit 52 of his 54 PATs. As a junior in 2020, he saw action in 4 games and connected on all 3 of his field goal attempts, and hit 8 of 9 PATs. As a sophomore in 2019, he saw action in 1 game, kicking off 3 times during the Aggies win versus Stoney Brook. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he kicked in 1 game and hit 2 of 2 PAT attempts. As a true freshman in 2017, he saw action in 3 games, handling backup kickoff duties in the Aggies wins versus Idaho State and at San Jose State. He was able to retain his redshirt status by sitting out the remainder of the season. As a senior at Bozeman High (MT) in 2016, Coles hit 6 of 8 field-goal attempts and connected on 36 of 39 PATs. Although he has not had the opportunity to display his talent, Coles is a very good kicker and he possesses a strong leg. He is a confident kicker and has good follow-through. He was rated as a 4.5* prospect by Kohl’s kicking camp and he was highly sought after following his senior season by Oregon State, Montana, and Montana State.
Making a strong case for more playing time at the position is junior preferred walk-on Elliott Nimrod. As a sophomore in 2021, Nimrod served as the Aggies kick-off specialist, kicking in all 14 games averaging 57.8 yards per kick and forcing 31 touchbacks. Nimrod joined the Aggies last summer after beginning his collegiate career at Arkansas State. As a true freshman at Arkansas State in 2020, he played in all 7 games and 50.1 yards per kick and forced 8 touchbacks. Nimrod displays excellent ball striking ability in the field goal and kick-off portions of his game. His drill work is sound and he is very confident in his ball striking and he has a good command of his rotation. Coming out of high school at Bentonville High (AR), he was rated as a 5* prospect by Kohl’s Kicking Camp.
PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
KICKER
59 Connor Coles (6-0, 220, GR-Sr., 2L, Kohl’s 4.5*)
89 Elliott Nimrod (6-0, 180, Jr., 1L, Kohl’s 5*)
PUNT RETURN
2021 Players not returning: Cam Lampkin (Transferred to Washington State); Jordan Nathan (Graduation); Deven Thompkins (NFL Undrafted Free Agent Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2022 post-spring ball attrition: None
Returning players: Cooper Jones, Kyle Van Leeuwen
New Faces in 2022:
Terrell Vaughn 5’10” 180 (NR) – Ventura CC, CA – (Transfer; 3 years to play 2)
2021 (So.) Stats: 58 receptions 736 yards 8 TDs; 5 kick returns 165 yards; 11 punt returns 139 yards 1 TD
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 91 receptions 979 12 TDs; 7 kick returns 149 yards
Offers from: Delaware St, Nevada, San Diego, Southeast Missouri St, UTEP
Primary Recruiter: Kyle Cefalo
https://247sports.com/player/terrell-vaughn-46037890/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6417314/Terrell-Vaughn
2022 OUTLOOK
I see three exceptional return men battling for the top spot on the depth chart in 2022.
Senior preferred walk-on Cooper Jones had a BIG spring ball session and is poised to make an impact in fall camp. As a junior in 2021, he saw action primarily on special teams in 8 games but did not record any stats. As a sophomore in 2020, he saw action in just one game and did not record any stats. As a true freshman at Butte Community College (CA) in 2019, he was primarily a return specialist, fielding 21 punt returns for 239 yards (11.4 avg) and 3 kick returns for 64 yards (21.3 avg.). As a senior in 2018 at Elko High (NV), he had 108 carries for 863 yards and 9 touchdowns, while also catching 15 passes for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns. He displayed his talent as a two-way player making 57 tackles and 4 interceptions, while also blocking 2 kicks. As a return man, he returned 10 kicks for 271 yards for an average of 27.1 yards per return and returned 8 punts for 144 yards for an average of 18.0 yards per return. He also returned one of those punts for a touchdown. Jones does a good job of catching a punt cleanly and not wasting much motion. If he needs to make the first defender miss, he can, and then he quickly finds a seam and explodes upfield. He also does a great job of catching the ball cleanly in traffic. He is a versatile player and because of his outstanding burst of speed, he could add value to the running attack if the opportunity arose.
Junior Kyle Van Leeuwen has been patiently waiting for his chance to show Aggie Nation what he can do. As a sophomore in 2021, Van Leeuwen saw action in all 14 games and caught 8 passes for 63 yards. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, he saw action in one game but did not record any stats. As a true freshman in 2019, he returned from his LDS Church mission just in time to join the team for fall camp. He then spent the season as a redshirt. As a senior at Timpview High (UT) in 2016, Van Leeuwen had a solid season pulling in 42 receptions for 903 yards and an amazing 18 touchdowns. For his effort, he earned Class 4-A second-team all-state and first-team all-region honors. Van Leeuwen is the younger brother of former Aggie wide receivers, Travis and Zach. Van Leeuwen and older brother of current Aggie wide out Timm. Van Leeuwen can get in and out of breaks quickly. He possesses tremendous hands for a wide receiver and is a quarterback’s best friend. He is tough across the middle of the field and he is willing to do the dirty work that is required from a slot receiver. He has good speed and is a precise route runner. He has a bright future ahead of him in an Aggie uniform.
Competing hard to get on the field is junior transfer, Terrell Vaughn. Vaughn joined the Aggies in time for spring ball after spending the first two seasons of his career at Ventura Community College (CA). He has three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. As a sophomore in 2021, he pulled in 58 receptions for 736 yards and 8 touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2020, he had a standout season totaling 91 receptions for 979 and 12 touchdowns. Vaughn is stepping into the team from the junior college ranks. He is a small and shifty back capable of turning short passes into huge gains as he picks up yards after the catch with little issue. Vaughn runs smooth routes and changes direction effortlessly, leaving defenders scrambling to catch up to him. He is also a weapon in the return game where he is a big-time threat with the ball in his hands.
PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
PUNT RETURN
31 Cooper Jones (5-6, 160, Sr., 1L, NR) OR
9 Kyle Van Leeuwen (5-9, 175, Jr., 1L, 2*) OR
0 Terrell Vaughn (5-7, 170, Jr., JC, NR)
KICK RETURN
2021 Players not returning: Savon Scarver (NFL Undrafted Free Agent Chicago Bears)
2022 post-spring ball attrition: None
Returning players: None
New Faces in 2022: None
PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
KICK RETURN
To Be Determined