Heston Kelly

Punt returns (season): 19 returns (2025) Played in all 14 games at wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner... Totaled 26 receptions for 223 yards... Averaged 8.58 yards per catch and 15.93 receiving yards per game... Had at least one catch in eight games, and had three or more receptions in six games... Was UTPB's primary punt returner, returning 19 punts for 103 yards (5.42 avg.)... Ranked No. 41 in NCAA Division II in punt return yards per game... Also had a team-leading six kickoff returns for 78 yards (13.00 avg.)... Caught three passes for 39 yards in UTPB's season-opening win over No. 5 Central Oklahoma (Aug. 30)... Had four punt returns for 41 yards, a career-high in both categories, in the game at Adams State (Sept. 6)... Had three catches for 28 yards in UTPB's big win at Texas A&M-Kingsville (Sept. 20)... Led all players with six catches for 54 yards, a career-high in both categories, in UTPB's 28-14 upset win at No. 5 Angelo State (Oct. 4)... In the very next game he had five catches for 27 yards and returned three punts for 16 yards against No. 13 Central Washington (Oct. 11)... Had three catches for 18 yards in the big win over West Texas A&M (Oct. 25)... Caught three passes for 37 yards and added a career-high three kickoff returns for 18 yards in the win vs. Eastern New Mexico (Nov. 8)... Had a career-long 31-yard kickoff return in the regular-season finale vs. Sul Ross State (Nov. 15)... Combined for three punt returns and one kickoff return during UTPB's three-game playoff run. Appeared in five games... Named to the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll... Earned 2025 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award. Saw action in two games and made one tackle in his season with the Lumberjacks. Set a state record for most catches in a season (119) during his senior year at Rusk High School... Kelly won numerous postseason accolades at Rusk, including including being named to the All-District squad as a first-team wide receiver... He was also a Smoaky.com All-East Texas wide receiver (first-team)... Kelly also garnered Padilla Poll All-State receiver (second-team)... Kelly transferred to Rusk High School from Magnolia High School ahead of his senior season... Kelly is a transfer from Class 5-A-I Magnolia High School and he has had an incredible summer. He was named as the Most Valuable Player at the Stephen F. Austin Football Camp in June and then got rave reviews at the TCU camp later on. A 247sports analyst that covers TCU football regularly described Kelly as one of the best young receivers in camp and a man that can keep the chains moving. At Magnolia last year, Kelly had 36 grabs for 543 yards and seven touchdowns for a Bulldog team that went 10-2 and was an area finalist. A true multi-sport athlete, Kelly earned All 8-5A-I accolades in football and basketball a year ago. He also was an area and regional champion in high jump for the Magnolia track and field team. Brother, Hayden, played football at UTPB (2019-23) and was an All-American linebacker while his sister, Hadley, came to UTPB as a freshman to play women's soccer during his first year at UTPB in 2024.