Special Teams and Returners Shine Early in 2026

Special teams production, and particularly kickoff and punt returns, are an easy indicator of high-end, next-level athleticism and playmaking ability when scouting and evaluating high school football prospects. Lucky for Minnesota high school football fans, the state's playmakers have been downright electric through the first three weeks of the season, and a particular batch have asserted themselves as multi-phase weapons thanks to some outstanding kickoff and punt returns early into 2026. Let's meet some of them below!   --    DB1 in Minnesota's junior class made a switch from Hopkins to Eden Prairie this offseason and got his junior with the Eagles off to a hot start in Week 1 against Anoka. [player_tooltip player_id='1715731' first='Xavier' last='Bailey'] helped kickstart what an eventual 36-14 win for Eden Prairie with his first quarter, 92-yard return and TD to even up the score against the Tornadoes. The KOR TD involved Bailey having to run down the kickoff, then cutting left, running into a defender, then four more, then another, then another Tornado defender try to dog pile Bailey but end up bouncing off the junior like he was built out of metal and concrete. Bailey then gets back up to top speed, takes off, and finishes the KOR for six. I'd be surprised if there was a more physically impressive special teams' play in Minnesota this fall.   Bailey also showed good defensive range from his safety spot, especially in run support, versus Anoka, and vs. Maple Grove, he displayed solid COD ability and transitions in man coverage out of the slot against a Crimson WR working vertically. He played the ball patiently despite not getting his eyes around at the catch point and put a big stick on a Crimson WR at the catch point. Bailey also flew out of his break and put a big collision and lick on the wideout to make him pay for his catch. He's a consistent 1v1 tackler who also made the game-sealing INT in the endzone on an errant pass.   Versus Edina, Bailey came downhill and made some strong tackles in the hole, also made good undercut on a late out-breaking route by a scrambling QB and WR, and was a good 1v1 tackler in space, both on RBs breaking loose and WRs after the catch.   X: @bailey_xav16869   IG: xavierbailey95     DB1 in the Minnesota 2027 class also got his fall off to a hot start in the special teams department. Moorhead's [player_tooltip player_id='1694135' first='Zak' last='Walker'], a future Minnesota Golden Gopher, took the opening kickoff the Spuds' eventual 42-26 win over Woodbury back to the house, and local KVRR Sports Anchor <a href="https://x.com/rybo_2/status/2098618947360759834">Ryan Bowlin's film</a> shows Walker as he hits the hole explodes through it without being touched, puts the last defender on skates while shifting his hips and cutting at top speed, and races to the endzone for a beautiful display of athleticism and playmaking ability. No updated Hudl tape from 2026 from Walker's Hudl, but those elite track times speak for themselves, and it's a pleasure watching the Moorhead product put them to good use on the gridiron.   X: @Zakwalker_22   IG: zak_walker2   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rybo_2/status/2098618947360759834 </div></figure>     Two of the biggest winners and stock risers from the evolving 2026 season are putting up crazy numbers and really stuffing the stat sheets over at Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons and their 9-Player program in southern Freeborn County. The Knights are home to a three-phase dynamo in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1666400' first='Kaiden' last='Farris'], who is already sitting at 23 receptions for 448 yards and 9 TDs through three games, not to mention one rush for 10 yards, 11 tackles, 1 INT, and nine punt returns against Wabasha-Kellogg for 188 yards and 2 TDs. There is going to be some serious postseason recognition for Farris if keeps this production up.   Farris got things off to a hot start Week 1 vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, going for 4 receptions for 95 yards and 2 TDs and 4 punt returns for 188 yards and 2 return TDs. The film vs. Wabasha-Kellogg shows a nice display of body control and ball-tracking ability on a back-shoulder snag on a wheel route. The first punt return involved him playing a booming punt high into the Minnesota Friday night sky, explodes upfield, makes a big cut left, then back inside after another 10 yards, racing by 3-4 pursuers who could barely get hands on him, much less tackle him. The second big return saw him once again put the speed on display, racing up his left sideline and past the majority of the coverage unit. Also demonstrated a good arrow route on the goal line, huge receiving TD saw him easily torch Cover 3 defense with impressive vertical ability, and electric moves in the open field   vs. Lanesboro:   Farris posted 7 tackles, 1 INT, and 8 catches for 105 yards and 1 TD. Farris produced a nice INT and break on the ball when undercutting a poorly thrown pass downfield. Nearly took it back to the house too but got his ankle tapped by that backside pursuer, maybe the QB. Also showed off balance, burst, quickness in the open field.   Versus Kingsland, Farris tallied 11 receptions for 248 yards and 6 TDs, and he popped off a big B-button and cut back against the grain and inside for a smooth and dazzling TD run on a end-around. Farris also burnt a Knights' CB deep in man coverage, burnt that same CB deep later on a fade ball, jumped and sacrificed his body for a crazy snag up floating in the air. The senior can change tempo in his routes, demonstrates a big catch radius and hops on a snag in the back of the endzone, thrown over a couple of defenders, and tracks the deep ball well. He also got open on an out-and-up and popped off a back-shoulder snag on a quick out in the front corner of the pylon.   #2 in the state in receiving yardage after 3 weeks!   X: @kaidenfarris12   IG: kaidenfarris     West St. Paul-based private school and MSHSL Class 3A competitor St. Croix Lutheran has been especially tough the past couple years, and within the team's success lie some impressive individual prospects at positions all around the gridiron. The Crusaders' are currently home to one of the state's most dynamic, explosive, and underrated playmakers in [player_tooltip player_id='1695544' first='Eli' last='Larson']. The junior standout popped off a 4.73 laser 40 at our PrepRedzoneMN spring showcase, and boy did he put that verified speed to good use in Week 1, posting 6 total TDs on 15 carries for 207 yards and 5 TDs. 3 returns for 126 yards and 1 TD, 2 tackles, 3 assists, 2 TFLs in the team win 59-21 vs. Faribault.   The film shows his 87-yard KOR TD that saw him make one cut, get vertical, and get gone like he was shot out of a cannon. Zoomed past the coverage unit like it was sped up on playback. From his FB spot, Larson took and handoff and burst through the A or B gap and into the third level of the defense in a blink, spun out of a tackle attempt by a DB, kept his feet, and burnt another Falcon en-route to the endzone. His 48-yard TD run saw him zoom past the defense in a hurry, he flew by three tackle attempts - who all separately failed to wrap him up - on the way to a 18-yard rushing TD, and his goal line TD carry carried a couple Falcons on his back for a score. Plus, he posted another easy 1-yard TD carry saw him show off more power.   vs. Brooklyn Center, Larson went for 150 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Larson was a good 1v1 tackle on a BC RB around the box, and his INT showed off some nice defensive range as a single-high MOF defender, good play on the ball at the catch point as well. Plus, he displayed tons of burst and was getting to the second level of the defense and into space in a blink.   vs. St. Paul Johnson, Larson produced four TDs, two from short yardage goal line scores and the other as an option that showed off his speed once he hit the edge, the last a big-time burst between the tackles that barely saw him touched as he flipped the field during the course of the long score. Also popped a Govs' WR into the sideline in physical fashion from his DB spot. Buy stock now!   X: @EliLarsonMN2028   IG: N/A     No updated film, sadly, but St. Thomas Academy has a multi-phase dynamo with some serious juice and explosiveness out of their 2027 class in Logan Fotsch. The senior tallied a 95-yard KOR TD against Mayo, the opening kickoff of the ball game too, and he also added 22 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 FF in addition to his total of 5 returns for 255 yards and 1 TD through three games of 5A action. PRZMN would love to see Fotsch update that Hudl account sooner rather than later!   X: N/A   IG: little.logan27     North Dakota State-bound RB and Hermantown product [player_tooltip player_id='1292281' first='Martin' last='Sleen'] is showing off his multi-phase utility, rare, exceptional speed and athleticism, and overall playmaking ability as a specialist and kick returner in 2026. Sleen, through three games, has already posted 2 KOR TDs and done so in exciting fashion. Against Proctor, Sleen tallied 1 KOR for 82 yards and 1 TD + 4 carries for 75 yards and 2 TDs, and the kickoff return involved him making one cut, making a man miss, unlocking his hips a bit, and making another miss, again cutting left, scooting through some would-be tacklers, blowing by a couple more pursuers, and finishing the run down his sideline for six.   Sleen also popped off a 50-60 yard punt return that he took to Proctor's five-yard line. Made a smooth open field move to beat the first free defender, then rocketed past another 5-6, made the last defender miss with a well-timed cut, then trucked another before getting corralled by a host of the coverage unit.   Versus Duluth East, Sleen posted 14 rushes for 210 yards and 5 TDs, as well as 1 KOR for 92 yards and 1 TD. His dynamic open-field movement saw him cut, juke, and sprint past the entire coverage unit with ease. Can cut at top speed, owns a great toolbag of moves in the open field, and if he's running at top speed, which he does at kickoff, he's too much for the average tackler to handle. North Dakota State's getting a good one!   X: @MartinSleen27   IG: N/A     Moorhead has ample athleticism on their 2026 roster, and the Spuds are particularly loaded in the returning department. In addition to [player_tooltip player_id='1694135' first='Zak' last='Walker'] and his elite track speed, the Spuds' second elite athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='1288313' first='Taye' last='Reich'], a special baseball player in his own right, popped off a kickoff return TD against Rogers for a 78-yard score.   The special teams TD involved the Minnesota Gophers-bound tailback scooping up the ball while in danger, and with that first pursuer bearing down with reckless intent, and beating him with a quick, nifty cut that looked very comfortable under duress. He then blew upfield like he was shot out of a cannon and using that elite speed in its entirety while leaving 11 Rogers pursuers in its wake. Did it all like it was a walk in the park, too.   X: @tayereich   IG: tayereich     Pillager has one of the faster WRs on their hands in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1646034' first='Thomas' last='Niggeler']. The tall, long, and standout verified athlete is off to a good start to his senior campaign, especially as a special teamer. Niggeler has already posted 3 returns for 231 yards and 2 TDs in win over Warroad, 37-20, not to mention 8 rushes for 127 yards 2 TDs through the air, according to MNFootballHub. No film of his returns but Hudl film shows a WR who torched cover 2 defense on a fade route, and burnt both DBs equally toasty vs. Thief River Falls. He also made a beautiful snag while floating through the air and right on top of the head of a helpless Warroad DB. Great display of hops, body control, catch radius, length, ball skills. One of the best uncommited pass-catchers in Minnesota's 2027 class.   X: @TNiggeler6   IG: thomas_niggeler6     A big-time 2028 coming out of a loaded Springfield roster in 2026, [player_tooltip player_id='1655354' first='Madden' last='Lendt'] is impressing in the special teams department early into the fall. Lendt has posted 2 punt returns for 122 yards and 1 TD in win over Canby, 80-19, showing off big play ability and explosiveness that the majority of high school football prospects don't possess. Not a ton of available film, but in Lendt's TD vs. Murray County Central, we get to see a 5-yard goal line fade where Lendt made a great play on the ball and head-tapped a DB while showing off his ball skills 50/50 ability. In his 36-yard TD reception vs. Canby, he blew past the Canby defense on a screen, split two attempted tacklers, hit another gear, and was gone. Can't wait to see some condensed film from the Southern Minnesota prospect soon.   X: @MaddenLendt   IG: maddenlendt     We're fresh off covering TMB's stud 2029er [player_tooltip player_id='1716426' first='Jackson' last='Kruse'] on September 10th when we named some PRZMN Underclassmen of the Year Candidates. The sophomore is absolutely on fire right now, and in all phases of the game too, and he's in particularly strong form as a special teamer and returner. Kruse has posted 2 total KOR TDs, including 1 KOR for 76 yard and 1 TD in win over United South Central and 1 KOR for 91 yards and 1 TD in win over MACCRAY.   The KOR against MACCRAY was quite impressive, as he burst through the gut and middle of the coverage unit with so much speed and explosiveness that he was untouched and looked like he was playing and sprinting on another plane of speed than the competition. The last few seconds of the KOR TD run didn't even have any defenders in the film's window and view. Kruse was CRUISING! Potential Player of the Year status out of the 2029 class so far this fall. Remember the name!   X: @jackson_kruse5   IG: jacksonkruse10     One of the best wrestlers in the state is also one of the best returners on the gridiron. Martin County West's Pierce Rohman, the Class 2A 133 state runner up who is wrestling in MN Whose #1 October 10th at The Shop in Minnetonka against STMA's Brody Bergeron, has already posted 2 KOR TDs as a senior this fall. This included 1 KOR for 82 yards and 1 TD in win over Madelia, 60-16, and 1 KOR for 78 yards and 1 TD in win over Windom Area, 60-0. No tape, but this is a certified stud and multi-sport prospect out of Minnesota's small school ranks. Please update your tape, Pierce!   X: N/A   IG: lee_roh_flex    --

Special teams production, and particularly kickoff and punt returns, are an easy indicator of high-end, next-level athleticism and playmaking ability when scouting and evaluating high school football prospects. Lucky for Minnesota high school football fans, the state's playmakers have been downright electric through the first three weeks of the season, and a particular batch have asserted themselves as multi-phase weapons thanks to some outstanding kickoff and punt returns early into 2026. Let's meet some of them below!