STEPHENVILLE, Texas – When football teams craft their special teams depth charts, there are often limitations on which players can be utilized. 

There are no restrictions on Tarleton State's squad. 

Head coach Todd Whitten has allowed special teams coordinator Michael Walton to utilize any Texan on his units during the last six seasons. That was one of a handful of reasons why Tarleton State was in the top 10 nationally in three special teams categories last year (4th - punt return defense, 5th - kick return defense, 10th - net punting). 

"You have to give credit to Coach Whitten for allowing me to use the best players on special teams regardless if they are a starter on offense or defense," Walton said. "He has never put the brakes on me as far as that goes. It helps that Coach Whitten allows me to use the best players because the best players are the most athletic. It starts at the top with Coach Whitten setting the tone and then allowing me to build a culture that supports special teams." 

The expectation is no different in 2025. Tarleton State will once again have athleticism, speed, and a handful of its top talent on the special teams squads. Tarleton State's coverage teams fly down the field and give very little room for returners, allowing a sense of comfort to the punters. 

A hole the Texans will have to fill will be from Adrian Guzman, who made UAC Second Team All-Conference at punter last season. While Guzman graduated, the lessons he provided about focus and poise have carried with the special teams units this season. 

Tarleton State was satisfied with its performance on special teams last year, but the expectations are even higher in 2025. 

"We expect to be great," punter Charlie Mullen said. "We were good last year. We lost (Adrian Guzman) in the punt game. Hopefully I can fill his shoes and do more than that if possible. That's the goal." 

Stephenville native Corbin Poston continues to live out his childhood dream of playing for the Texans. He served as the primary kicker in the final eight games of the season, not missing a field goal in the process. Poston became the first Texan to not miss a field goal in a season (with at least five attempts) in the Division I Era. 

As a Stephenville High School standout, Poston did not miss a field goal as a senior and earned a spot on the Texans in 2022. He worked his way up from the practice squad to being Tarleton State's main field goal kicker. 

Poston idolized the Texans as a kid, with his favorite being Easton Jones. Now, he is serving as a role model for the next generation. 

"The coolest part is seeing little kids in town come up to me and be excited to see me," Poston said. "I never thought that would be me though." 

Many football coaches would agree that special teams can be the difference between a win or loss. Walton said Tarleton State wins 75% of the games special teams scores or sets up a score. 

Tarleton State is not expecting each play from special teams to be perfect, but to be clean. The team who "plays the cleanest on special teams has the edge," Walton said. 

That's an advantage the Texans look to gain every Saturday. 

"We're looking at playing clean," Walton said. "Portland State is really good on special teams. They play hard, they attack your schemes strategically and I can't say enough good things about Portland State. They're going to be a great challenge right out of the gate and we'll be ready. We just have to be prepared to play clean and we'll be just fine."