The Jackrabbit special teams was up and down in 2026 with the highlight being an All-American while the lows were big mistakes in key moments. Coach Isaiah Jackson is back for his second year as the special teams coach at SDSU and his room has 3 returning faces and has added 2 new guys to the group. Coach Jackson stressed that the guys are working really hard to uphold their 1/3rd of the team.
The kicking job as of 8/18/26 is still up for grabs. Both #30 Tristan Alvano (6’1, 205) and #81 Ryan Harrington (6’3, 185) are battling to be the guy. Alvano transferred in from Nebraska where he started as a freshman and where he holds the longest field goal in the history of the Huskers. In his career at Nebraska he went 12 of 19 with a long of 55. He was 39 for 39 on extra point opportunities. Coach Jackson said that Alvano has the most explosive leg he has ever been around. Consistency is the key for Tristan but Jackson stressed that he is so talented. Harrington handled kickoff duties for a majority of last season and had a 57.5 yard average on 59 kickoff attempts along with 20 touchbacks last year. He was deadly early in the season placing the ball between the sideline and hashes inside the 10 yard line but did boot it out of bounds twice towards the end of the season. Harrington did attempt a 39 yard field goal against Drake and made it! Jackson says this will be a close decision and neither guy has pulled away from the other at this point.
#41 Max Pelham (6’1, 205) stuck it out for a season behind Hunter Dustman after transferring over from Mankato and wow was he worth the wait! Max earned All-American honors after averaging 47 yards on 42 punts. He had a long of 68, forced 14 to be faircaught, landed 14 inside the 20, and booted 18, 50+yards all while only have 8 touchbacks. Coach Jackson said that Max is a very hard worker and that he has become a leader in the room and is speaking up more in team meetings. He said that Max is one of the guys and a true football player. Max had an awesome summer and I’m hopeful he will get a shot in the NFL with another big season this fall.
The Jackrabbit long snapper job is also still up for grabs. The two battling for it are Weber State transfer #37 Justin Lutz (6’0, 215) and #59 Carson Strohbeen (6’1, 215). Lutz spent a year at Iowa Western, winning a national championship before going to Weber State. Jackson said that Lutz is always training and takes his craft very seriously. Strohbeen has been in the program for a few years but does not have any live game action yet. Coach Jackson said that these guys are really battling as well and he appreciates how they are both competing.
In terms of the coverage units, the depth in the secondary and at the linebacker group should result in really really talented coverage and return units. Last year we saw guys like #44 Casey Larson, #45 Boden Schiller, and #21 Myles Green play really well. #18 Jes Krcil, #39 Beau Bakken, and #10 Brayden Delahoyde will also contribute on special teams this season. Jackson thinks freshmen like #50 Kayden Oakland, #38 Landon Jackson, #26 Barry Fries, and #4 Tank Farr could contribute on special teams this season. He said he has a list of other guys who he will manage reps for this season but could be used in special situations based on a given skill or talent they have.
It sounds like #2 Jack Smith and #21 Myles Green are the leaders in the clubhouse for kick and punt return duties. Smith handled kick return duties last season and had 14 returns with a 26 yard return average including a long of 50. Green had 4 attempts with a 23 yard average and a long of 34. Others who could contribute in the return game including running backs #6 JR McKinney, #4 Corey Blair Jr., and #23 James Basinger.
Coach Jackson said that the specialists job is different than the other players. They get one opportunity to perform and then have to go back to the bench and wait for their next chance. They don’t get the next play to shake it off or make the play. It’s important that the specialists get it right when they are given the chance. The Jacks special teams should be improved in 2026 but it really matters how consistent they are within the game and from week to week.
Go Jacks!
Matt
