LOGAN, Utah – Utah State should once again excel on special teams during the 2024 season as it returns its placekicker and long snapper, along with both of its punters from a year ago.
 
"This is a special group, and we are probably never going to get to coach a group like this again," said Nick Paremski, who is entering his fourth year as USU's special teams coordinator.
 
In addition to returning some talented specialists, Utah State has also become known for blocking kicks in special teams.
 
"The way we effect games is with blocked kicks and explosive returns, outside of doing our job of kicking and punting," said Paremski. "It is big for us; it changes field position and the momentum in the game. We try to find guys that our really good at it and we put them in position to make plays, and luckily, they have come through for us."
 
The Returners


Of the four returning specialist that lettered last year, Utah State does return one player here that has earned all-Mountain West recognition in senior punter Stephen Kotsanlee, who earned honorable mention all-conference accolades in 2020. Overall, Kotsanlee has punted 182 times in his career for an average of 42.6 yards, which is the fourth-best average in school history. Last season, he served as the team's punter and holder in each of the first six games before missing the rest of the year due to injury. In 2023, he punted 25 times for an average of 43.4 yards, which is tied for the sixth-best single-season average in school history.
 
Utah State also returns sophomore punter Ryan Marks, who played in nine games last year, including serving as the team's punter in the final seven outings. Overall, he punted 38 times for an average of 43.21 yards per punt last season.
 
"Both Stephen and Ryan have big legs," said Paremski. "They have different styles, which is exciting, and we plan on using both of them. They are really good weapons, they can down the ball inside the 10 consistently and they can change field position."
 
Senior placekicker Elliott Nimrod also returns after serving as Utah State's kickoff specialist each of the past three seasons, along with being the team's placekicker in 2023. A season ago, he kicked off 65 times for 3,923 yards (60.4 ypk) with 31 touchbacks. He also scored 80 points during the season as he was 41-of-43 (.953) on extra points and 11-of-14 (.786) on field goals as that field goal percentage is tied for the ninth-best in a single season in school history. He also ranks eighth in the single season record books in extra points made (41) and tied for eighth in extra points attempted (43).
 
"Elliott has gotten better and better every year he has been here," said Paremski. "He has always had the leg, and he has gotten more consistent every year. He really took a step forward last year with his field goals."
 
Senior long snapper Jacob Garcia also returns as he has played in 40 career games.
 
"We are very blessed to have Jacob. He is the best I have ever coached at that position," added Paremski. 
 
Utah State also returns one redshirt in freshman long snapper Alexander McDougall.
 
The Newcomers
Joining the five players mentioned above is one transfer in redshirt freshman placekicker Tanner Cragun (Frisco, Texas/Wakeland HS/Utah). Cragun spent two seasons (2020, 2023) at Utah as he redshirted during the 2023 campaign, but did not appear in any games. As a prep senior, he was ranked the No. 2 kicker in the state of Texas and the No. 9 kicker in the nation in 2020 by Chris Sailer Kicking and Kohls Kicking coming out of Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas.
 
Special Teams Production in 2023
Utah State finished the 2023 season tied for first in the Mountain West and 10th in the nation with three blocked kicks. USU was also fifth in the MW in kickoff returns (19.7 ypr), sixth in the MW in punt returns (8.6 ypr) and sixth in the MW in kickoff return defense (20.4 ypr).
 
Fall Schedule
Utah State opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, as it hosts Robert Morris and begins Mountain West play at Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 5.
 
Ticket Information
Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2024 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the return of the 'Battle of the Brothers' on Saturday, September 14th. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com or call the ticket office at 435-797-0305.
 
Parking
All Single-Game Parking sales will be cashless, starting this year. Those can be purchased in advance for $10 online, or for $15 on gamedays at the F lot entrances.
 
Follow
Fans can follow the Aggie football program with behind the scenes content and coverage on social media through X, Instagram and Facebook, along with visiting www.utahstateaggies.com.