Photo by: Aly Bayliss
2026 Position Preview: Specialists
8/19/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
When it comes to special teams, Ty Morris' knowledge and passion are evident.
Abilene Christian's special teams coordinator enters his third season with a rare sense of stability — and some serious firepower.
"It's an intriguing group because since I've been here it's the first time that we haven't had to revamp everybody," Morris said.
The Wildcats return nearly all their specialists, including placekicker Brandon Perez, kickoff specialist Kyler Meschi, and punter Hugo Nash. They've also added a key transfer, giving Morris a deep and competitive unit that could tilt close games this fall.
A Veteran Group, Finally
The continuity alone is a luxury.
After having to find new kickers in the transfer portal each of the past two offseasons, Morris is happy to have Perez back after his stellar 2025 season.
"We return Brandon Perez who nearly scored 100 points last season," Morris said. "Hugo [Nash] returns and then we bring in Jase Gilbert from Iowa State who was a freshman All-Big 12 punter."
That experience means expectations have risen.
Perez drilled a game-winning 47-yarder to beat No. 2 Tarleton State on Homecoming last season, and Morris believes the kicker's growth behind the scenes will show up on Saturdays.
"It was a big difference for him coming from Division II East Central, not necessarily knowing what to expect," Morris said. "He's been better with his preparation, staying hydrated, stretching a lot more… just having a better approach in the offseason. He's coming in with a better body and he's lost a little bit of weight, too."
That walkoff field goal over the Texans is the highlight of Perez's time at ACU. Teammates swarmed him at midfield and then carried him on their shoulders to the sideline. Perez finished with one of the best seasons in ACU's record book -- 15 field goals made (2nd most), 91 kicking points (5th), and 46 extra points converted (7th).
Competition at Every Spot
One position that will see a newcomer is long snapper where Morris said the competition is well underway.
"We've got two guys that are very good at two different things… it's competition in every position in the spectrum."
Quarterback-turned-defensive back Leighton Adams has switched his focus to long snapping since the spring. Braden Hawkins returns after redshirting and Brett Alfred transfers from East Central while Luke Hagood is a true freshman from Stephenville.
Morris doesn't mind using specialists in specific roles if it helps the team, noting the Wildcats were successful with different snappers for placekicks and punts in 2024.
"Short snaps are very different than a long snap, especially when you're trying to get consistent laces," he said. "If we got a guy that's rolling 12s on the short snap, he'll roll at short snap. Then with punting, we also got to add in, 'Can he protect? Can he cover?'"
The Wildcats aren't short on options, and Morris likes it that way.
"It very well could still happen that way," he said of using separate snappers for punts and place kicks. "I'm big on being good at what you do, not having to cross train."
In the return game, Morris said running back Alex Broome is one of the Wildcats' choices on kickoffs. The senior has a short but muscular frame and transferred to ACU from Boston College. The punt returner spot is still to be determined leading up to the season opener at Lamar on Aug. 29.
Why Special Teams Matter
For Morris, special teams is personal. He's a former Division III player who sees himself in the players assigned to his special teams units.
"Mainly for the little guy," he said. "A lot of these guys that work for me on the special teams teams, in other places they might be overlooked as too small or too slow… but at the end of the day just let them know if you just you play to the best of your abilities, you figure it out."
His message is simple: there's a place for anyone willing to do the dirty work.
"It transitions to life. You might not always get it the way you want, a fair shot, but the little guy always gets a fair shot at special teams," he said.
With Perez, Nash, Meschi, and a competitive group behind them, Morris and his specialists aren't little guys anymore.
They're a proven unit — and they have a chance to be a difference-maker.
Abilene Christian's special teams coordinator enters his third season with a rare sense of stability — and some serious firepower.
"It's an intriguing group because since I've been here it's the first time that we haven't had to revamp everybody," Morris said.
The Wildcats return nearly all their specialists, including placekicker Brandon Perez, kickoff specialist Kyler Meschi, and punter Hugo Nash. They've also added a key transfer, giving Morris a deep and competitive unit that could tilt close games this fall.
A Veteran Group, Finally
The continuity alone is a luxury.
After having to find new kickers in the transfer portal each of the past two offseasons, Morris is happy to have Perez back after his stellar 2025 season.
"We return Brandon Perez who nearly scored 100 points last season," Morris said. "Hugo [Nash] returns and then we bring in Jase Gilbert from Iowa State who was a freshman All-Big 12 punter."
That experience means expectations have risen.
Perez drilled a game-winning 47-yarder to beat No. 2 Tarleton State on Homecoming last season, and Morris believes the kicker's growth behind the scenes will show up on Saturdays.
"It was a big difference for him coming from Division II East Central, not necessarily knowing what to expect," Morris said. "He's been better with his preparation, staying hydrated, stretching a lot more… just having a better approach in the offseason. He's coming in with a better body and he's lost a little bit of weight, too."
That walkoff field goal over the Texans is the highlight of Perez's time at ACU. Teammates swarmed him at midfield and then carried him on their shoulders to the sideline. Perez finished with one of the best seasons in ACU's record book -- 15 field goals made (2nd most), 91 kicking points (5th), and 46 extra points converted (7th).
Competition at Every Spot
One position that will see a newcomer is long snapper where Morris said the competition is well underway.
"We've got two guys that are very good at two different things… it's competition in every position in the spectrum."
Quarterback-turned-defensive back Leighton Adams has switched his focus to long snapping since the spring. Braden Hawkins returns after redshirting and Brett Alfred transfers from East Central while Luke Hagood is a true freshman from Stephenville.
Morris doesn't mind using specialists in specific roles if it helps the team, noting the Wildcats were successful with different snappers for placekicks and punts in 2024.
"Short snaps are very different than a long snap, especially when you're trying to get consistent laces," he said. "If we got a guy that's rolling 12s on the short snap, he'll roll at short snap. Then with punting, we also got to add in, 'Can he protect? Can he cover?'"
The Wildcats aren't short on options, and Morris likes it that way.
"It very well could still happen that way," he said of using separate snappers for punts and place kicks. "I'm big on being good at what you do, not having to cross train."
In the return game, Morris said running back Alex Broome is one of the Wildcats' choices on kickoffs. The senior has a short but muscular frame and transferred to ACU from Boston College. The punt returner spot is still to be determined leading up to the season opener at Lamar on Aug. 29.
Why Special Teams Matter
For Morris, special teams is personal. He's a former Division III player who sees himself in the players assigned to his special teams units.
"Mainly for the little guy," he said. "A lot of these guys that work for me on the special teams teams, in other places they might be overlooked as too small or too slow… but at the end of the day just let them know if you just you play to the best of your abilities, you figure it out."
His message is simple: there's a place for anyone willing to do the dirty work.
"It transitions to life. You might not always get it the way you want, a fair shot, but the little guy always gets a fair shot at special teams," he said.
With Perez, Nash, Meschi, and a competitive group behind them, Morris and his specialists aren't little guys anymore.
They're a proven unit — and they have a chance to be a difference-maker.
Players Mentioned
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