This feature story can also be found in the Sept. 16 edition of the A-State Football Digital Game program.

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As Arkansas State punter William Przystup jogs onto the field to assume his spot in punt formation, the first item on his pre-snap list is to thank his shield.
 
It's after that moment of gratitude that the redshirt senior progresses to checking his aiming points, his head and eyes and his hips before calming his feet. Once calm and collected, he takes a snap from long snapper Jack Bullard before booming a punt down the field with his left foot – hopefully, deep into opposing territory.
 
Regardless of outcome, the Oviedo, Fla., native is quick to point out that he could not do his job well without his shield – his protectors – in front of him. Over the past two seasons, he has been a part of one of the nation's top special teams units – a tight-knit group that, while different in backgrounds and positions, collaborate with the goal of performing their individual tasks well.
 
"We all come in different shapes and sizes," Przystup said of the Red Wolves' specialist unit. "The best part is, if you can do your job well and do it consistently, it's amazing. I've never been a part of such a connected group than the one we have here. Every time we have spare time, we're hanging out with each other, having a good time and seeing how each other is doing."
 
Przystup joined an A-State punting corps that had been strong for multiple seasons ahead of the 2022 season following three years (2019-21) at Nebraska, where he started the final nine games of the 2021 season for the Cornhuskers. While in Lincoln, he was responsible for the second-longest punt in school history – an 84-yard boot against Northwestern – as well as one-third of his punts traveling 50 or more yards. Prior to his three years at Nebraska, Przystup played in four games at Michigan State in 2018, drawing one start against the Huskers.
 
When he arrived in Jonesboro, he joined former Red Wolves punter Ryan Hanson and current teammate Magnus Haines, providing depth and intense competition at a position that previously featured all-conference pick and current CFL standout Cody Grace. Aside from the crowds of 90,000-plus at Memorial Stadium to the cozy confines of Centennial Bank Stadium, Przystup noted that transition wasn't much of a factor.
 
"Special teams across the country is the same everywhere you go," he said. "When I first got here, I had more competition than I ever had before. This year, Magnus is as hard a person to go against right now as anyone. (Arkansas State) has made me the punter I am today."
 
Those are impactful words coming from a man who, growing up, never wanted to be a punter. He wanted to be a kicker. The 6-foot-4 former soccer goalkeeper then turned his talents to the hardwood before trying out for football – as a tight end.
 
However, he soon found that his skills lied in the kicking game. Przystup did not get moved up to the varsity squad until a rivalry game due to injuries to the team's other punters, but he made his opportunity count from that point forward. Przystup became a three-time All-Seminole Conference pick at OHS, and was selected to play in the Central Florida All-Star game after his senior season. That year, he averaged 42.1 yards per punt, including a pair of 60-yard punts.
 
While he is one of a few left-footed punters at the Division-I level in college football, Przystup knows he cannot do his job well on his own. It requires a connection with his long snapper Bullard, and of course, thanking his shield.