HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team returns many of the key performers from one of 2024's top special teams units in all of FCS for the 2025 season.
 
Under the direction of 2024 FCS Special Teams Coordinator of the Year Ross Jenkins, SLU ranked among the FCS leaders in blocked punts (9^th), kickoff returns (17^th), kickoff return defense (8^th) and punt returns (1^st).
 
Among the All-Southland Conference returnees on special teams are punter Alec Mahler, long snapper Will Davidson and kick returner Brandon Hayes.
 
Taking over as the starting punter early last fall, Mahler averaged 45.6 yards per punt on the way to earning second team All-SLC and All-Louisiana honors. The Vacherie, Louisiana native tied the school record with a 75-yard punt in the regular season finale at Nicholls, one of two 70-plus yard punts he uncorked last fall.
 
"One of my goals this season is to break the record," Mahler commented. "I tied it last year at Nicholls and hit a 72-yarder at Lamar, so this year I want to put my name in the record books forever."
 
Mahler is also expected to handle kickoffs for the Lions for the third straight season. Davidson will be back handling long snapping duties on field goals and extra points with Jack Hunter slated to handle holding duties. Cade Collier will continue to serve as the deep snapper on punts.
 
One of the most competitive positions battles on the roster has been for the role of the new starting placekicker. Guillermo Garcia has the experience edge after transferring from Prairie View. The Dickinson, Texas native hit 20-for-25 field goals last season for the Panthers on the way to earning FCS All-America honors last fall.
 
Garcia has been pushed throughout fall camp by true freshman Drew Talley. The Covington, Louisiana native made 31-of-46 field goals during a prep career that saw him earn all-state and all-district honors at St. Paul's School.
"We've had a great kicking battle throughout the preseason and we have faith in both Guillermo and Drew," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo commented. "We're anxious to see how it shakes out as we closer to game time."
 
Hayes was a first team All-SLC selection at kick returner in his debut season with the Lions, ranking 11^th in FCS with 26.7 yards per kickoff return. Hayes is one of multiple options in the return game, according to Scelfo.
 
"Brandon's been able to do a lot of good things for us as a kickoff returner and we've also been giving him some looks at punt returner," Scelfo commented. "Jordyn Williams is a new guy who has a lot of experience returning both kickoffs and punts.
 
"Tristan Goodly and D'Khai Joseph are two other guys we think can make some big plays for us in the return game," Scelfo added. "Kentrell Prejean reminds us a little of (2024 FCS All-American punt returner) Darius Lewis with how dynamic he is as a punt returner. We're fortunate to have a lot of options in the return game."
 
SLU opens the 2025 campaign next Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. contest at Louisiana Tech. The Lions open their five-game home schedule Sept. 13, hosting Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.