2023 Outlook: Meet FAMU football's special teams unit for the upcoming season

Florida A&M's 2023 football season is on the way.

Currently, the Rattlers are spending their summer preparing for fall training camp's Aug. 2 report date. Which is closely approaching.

So, we have a little bit more time to get familiar with each position group.

FAMU's special teams features four placekickers, three long snappers, two punters, and an abundance of returners as of July 27, 2023.

Here's a look at the Rattlers' special teams for the 2023 season.

Previous FAMU Position Previews: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Offensive Line | Defensive Line | Linebackers | Defensive Backs

FAMU Specialists: Who's Kicking?

Cameron Gillis, graduate student placekicker, is playing his first year at FAMU since transferring from fellow NCAA Division I-FCS school Stetson. Gillis is actually from Budapest, Hungary. He made 17 of 23 of his field goal attempts while playing for the Hatters from 2020-2022.

Michael Smith is a local product out of Tallahassee's Maclay School. Smith, a true freshman placekicker, was rated a five-star kicker by Kohl's Professional Kicking Camps.

Logan Fuller is a redshirt freshman transfer from Division I-FBS New Mexico State. He didn't log any playing time with the Aggies in 2022 during his redshirt year.

Marko Dubak, sophomore placekicker and punter, is also new to FAMU. He comes from JUCO College of DuPage and was the team's starting punter as the Chapparals won the inaugural National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III Championship in 2022. He averaged 31.9 yards per punt and pinned the opposing team inside of the 20-yard line nine times out of 40 attempts.

Trey Wilhoit, junior punter, transferred to FAMU from Eastern Illinois where he was a Stats Perform Third Team All-American and an FCS Punter of the Year semifinalist in 2022 after averaging 46.8 yards per punt. Wilhoit is originally from Tallahassee and an alumnus of Chiles High School. He practiced with the Rattlers during the spring and was named to Athlon Sports' FCS Preseason All-American team.

Joshua Romeo, redshirt freshman punter, comes from Everglades High School in Miramar. He practiced with the Rattlers during the spring and also performed as a placekicker.

It could possibly be a kicker battle, but Gillis may have the edge since he has the most college experience.

Wilhoit will most likely be the starting punter, already having the accolades on the Division I level.

FAMU Specialists: Who's Snapping?

Lawrence Martinez, redshirt junior, started in seven games as the Rattlers' long snapper in 2022. The Apopka native originally transferred to FAMU from Central Florida (UCF) for the 2021 season.

Baylor Payan has Division I experience, coming from FCS school Utah Tech. The redshirt sophomore was Utah Tech's primary long snapper for the past two seasons.

Emmet Rhoades is coming from high school ranks, Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Illinois.

Martinez and Payan may battle for the starting long snapper spot as both hold Division I experience.

FAMU Specialists: Who's Returning?

Just two years ago, FAMU wide receiver Jah'Marae 'K-Dot' Sheread led the nation in punt return average, with 19.9 yards per. He earned Stats Perform Third Team All-American honors that year.

Receiver Day-Day Oxendine returned a few kickoffs in 2022, and totaled 81 yards on five tries. In 2021, Oxendine had five returns for 120 yards.

Also, be on the lookout for a speedy athlete like junior receiver Jamari Gassett to field some kicks or punts. Gassett transferred to FAMU from FBS Buffalo and spent a portion of time in the returners group during spring practice.

Florida A&M Rattlers Special Teamers as of July 27, 2023

Marko Dubak ― Kicker/Punter

Logan Fuller ― Kicker

Cameron Gillis ― Kicker

Lawrence Martinez ― Long Snapper

Baylor Payan ― Long Snapper

Emmet Rhoades ― Long Snapper

Joshua Romeo ― Punter

Michael Smith ― Kicker

Trey Wilhoit ― Punter

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Getting familiar with the Rattlers' 2023 special teamers