Lucas Carneiro almost took a different path on his journey as a collegiate athlete.

The Cornelius, North Carolina, native originally planned to play high school soccer, but an injury his senior season changed those plans. Enter a sport that he was still relatively new to – football.

Carneiro began kicking as a sophomore in high school, but even with his short amount of time in the sport, he still saw the chance to kick at the next level as a very real opportunity.

“I had some opportunities to play, but at the last minute my head kind of flipped,” Carneiro said. “I thought I could go further in football, so I decided I would give it a go. My mentality was that, worst case, if football is not my thing, I go play soccer. I’ve loved football ever since I’ve joined.”

The decision has proven to be beneficial for Carneiro and Western Kentucky, with the redshirt sophomore signaling his arrival last season. Kicking in all 13 games, Carneiro was a perfect 47-for-47 on extra points while going 9-for-12 on field goals. Perhaps the biggest kick came in the Famous Toastery Bowl, a 29-yarder in overtime that sealed WKU’s comeback win over Old Dominion.

“It was crazy,” Carneiro said. “I watch the video to this day still. It’s one of the only saved videos I have on my phone. It’s crazy. I am from North Carolina, live like 30 minutes from the stadium, so everyone was there. I couldn’t have written it any better.

“It’s something I will never forget for the rest of my life.”

The strong year has led to significant buzz for this season. Carneiro enters the year as the Conference USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year.

While Carneiro is happy with the honor, he said ultimately it doesn’t change anything as he prepares for the upcoming season.

“I kind of realized the other day that it is just a preseason thing,” Carneiro said. “Anyone can be a preseason player, no matter what position they are. It’s about backing that up. It gives you more fire.”

The preseason has been a little different than last year, when Carneiro was in competition for the kicking job. He is clearly at the top of the depth chart this year, but he said he has kept the same mentality to compete every single day.

“I always want to do better than I did last year,” Carneiro said. “Every day, I come with the mentality that I do need to be better, I’m going to be better. That pushes me more. We brought in some freshmen that are pretty solid that have pushed me more. I know I have to be on my heels every single day, ready to compete no matter what.

“ … I can’t be content with where I am at, because I know that’s how people slip.”

In addition to staying physically ready to kick, Carneiro said there is definitely a mental aspect to it. With his performance basically measured on just a few plays per game, it really adds to the spotlight when he is on the field.

“The biggest thing for me is winning my moments – going out and trying to win my kick,” Carneiro said. “Doing everything I can do to prepare myself for those moments. There are times when I am not going to win every moment. It is how human nature is. No one is ever perfect, but I strive for perfection.”

Carneiro was able to achieve a form of perfection last season with his spotless resume on extra points. He said that is something he would like to build on in 2024.

“It is a step, and my goal is to continue that every single game,” Carneiro said. “Every time I am back there in my steps, I think about two things – my swing and my contact. I know when I think about those two things I am successful. I realize if I can do that, then I will reach the goals I want to reach.”

His goals are simple, a three-item checklist. The top goal would be to win the Lou Groza award for the best kicker in the country. Next, Carneiro would like to be the special teams player of the year in the conference with the third goal to win as many special team player of the week awards in Conference USA as possible.

“I know to be able to achieve that, I’ve got to take care of my body every single day,” Carneiro said. “Do the right things every single day. If I focus too far in advance, I am not going to be able to reach those things. Really day by day is what I focus on.”

And for now that focus is on Saturday’s season opener at No. 5 Alabama.

“I’m excited for this first game,” Carneiro said. “My family is going to be there. I have some friends that are going to be there, so I am excited.”