SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The special teams unit will be a mix of veterans and newcomers this season for the Bryant University football team.
Today's special teams preview is the final of eight positional previews as the Bulldogs will kick off the 2026 season at Stonehill on August 29th.
Quick Outlook
Last season, the Bulldogs saw two players hitting kicks.
Nicholas Stoyanovich took over in the second half of the season, going 3-4 on field goals and 15-16 on extra points. He also averaged 53 yards on kickoffs.
Kristian Karoglan had 54 punts last season, averaging 39 yards per punt.
Keylijah Williams was dominant as a kick returner last season, leading the CAA in return yards with 722 and producing his second consecutive season with a kickoff return touchdown.
Returners: Kristian Karoglan Sr. |
Keylijah Williams Sr. |
Sean Cowie Sr. |
Joe Cortese Jr. |
Nicholas Stoyanovich So. |
Scot Belford So. |
Jack Donnelly So.
Newcomers: Luis Palenzuela Gr. |
Dominic Diaz Jr. |
Ronit Chandra Fr.
Notes and Notables
- Stonyanovich made a career-high two field goals in the victory at UAlbany last season.
- Karoglan produced six punts of 50+ yards and 13 inside the 20.
- Williams made the All-CAA second team and averaged 24 yards per return.
- Cowie enters his fourth year with the Bulldogs.
- Palenzuela transfers after spending four years at Holy Cross. He went 29-30 on PATs and 10-15 on FGAs last season.
- Diaz comes to Smithfield after two years at the Air Force Academy.
- Chandra was a four-year letter winner at Montgomery Ball and hit a career-long 53-yarder as a junior.
