2023 All-Sun Belt Third Team Punt Returner - Phil Steele

R-JUNIOR SEASON (2022): Played in nine games, starting seven of them ... finished the season with 24 receptions for 226 yards ... also was team's primary punt returner with 105 yards on 16 returns ... returned two kicks for 43 yards ... Had a career-high eight catches in the season-opening win over Norfolk State ... had a critical 30-yard rush in the upset of No. 8 Notre Dame ... caught three passes for 52 yards against Coastal Carolina before suffering an injury ... missed four games, but returned to dress for the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl win over UConn.

R-SOPHOMORE SEASON (2021): Played in seven games with four starts ... missed six games due to injury ... Started the season with his top performance of the season - a five-catch, 100-yard effort in the win at Navy ... Followed that up by catching three passes for 73 yards with two touchdowns against N.C. Central in the home opener ... Had four catches for 35 yards against both East Carolina and Charlotte.

R-SOPHOMORE SEASON (2020 - COVID): Played in eight games (six starts) … Made a different on offense and special teams … Caught 17 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown … Led the team with 14 punt returns for 95 yards, including a long of 20 yards … Named to the Conference USA all-conference first team at punt returner for the second consecutive season … Led C-USA in punt return yardage … Career best 68 receiving yards in the season opener vs. EKU … Caught two passes, including a 21-yard touchdown, in the season debut … Three catches in a win vs. WKU … Also had five punt returns for 65 yards vs. the Hilltoppers … Two receptions in a win at LATech … Two receptions in a win vs. FAU … Set a career high with seven receptions vs. Rice … 48 receiving yards against the Owls.

R-FRESHMAN SEASON (2019): Dynamic wide receiver and special teams return man had an electric debut for the Herd … Saw action in 10 games, including seven starts … Named to the Conference USA all-conference first team as a punt returner … Also named to the C-USA all-freshman team … Holds the distinction of being the only freshman on the C-USA all-conference first team … Made nine catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in 2019 … Also had one receiving touchdown … Averaged 15.6 yards per catch … Returned 16 punts for 202 yards and one touchdown … Led Conference USA in punt return yards and average yards per punt return … Second nationally in punt return yards by a freshman … No. 10 nationally in average yards per punt return … No. 1 nationally in yards per punt return … Scored on his first collegiate touch, a 67-yard punt return in the first quarter against VMI … Made his first career catch at nationally ranked Boise State … 16-yard reception in a win against Ohio … Established career-highs in receptions (three) and receiving yards (60) at Middle Tennessee … Caught first career touchdown pass at Rice … Finished with two receptions for 23 yards in the win against the Owls … Career-long 34-yard reception in a win against Louisiana Tech.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2018): Redshirted.

HERD FILE: Rated a three-star prospect by 247sports.com and ESPN ... Also had offers from Indiana, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Middle Tennessee, South Florida, Tulane, Austin Peay and Charleston Southern ... Also played quarterback, defensive back and safety at Booker High School ... Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds with a shuttle time of 3.93 ... Has a 40-inch vertical with a bench press of 225 pounds ... Competed in the 200 meters high jump, long jump, triple jump, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay in track and field for Booker.

SOCIAL MEDIA: You can follow Talik on Twitter @talikk72 and on Instagram @g0lden_handz1.

Talik Keaton