Editors note: This is the final in the eight-part “YPS Top 40” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 40 of the top returning football players for the 2023 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 40 is an eight-story series highlighting 40 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

The final story in the eight-part series focuses on the top returning special teams player in the area.

Here is a look at three of the top kickers, punters and kick returners in the Your Prep Sports area for the 2023 season.

Grant Knipper

Senior, Solon

There is not a more important quality for a kicker than consistency and Knipper quickly established himself as a consistent and reliable performer in his first season handling the place kicking duties for the Spartans.

Knipper converted on 51-of-56 kicks last season on his way to being named district special teams player of the year.

As a junior last season Knipper made 47-of-49 PAT attempts and went 4-of-7 on field goals with a long of 35.

Knipper also handled kick offs for the Spartans last season and will have an expanded role on offense and defense this season as he is expected to see action at receiver and defensive back.

Evan Anderson

Junior, West High

Half of the brand new kicking duo for West High last season along with freshman place kicker Adam Salem, Anderson returns after a solid debut season the Trojans punter.

Anderson averaged 31.9 yards per punt on 32 attempts last season as a sophomore and will look to improve on that average this season.

In addition to hist punting duties Anderson provides versatility in the special teams with his ability to handle place kicking.

Anderson went 5-of-6 on PAT attempts last season.

Jackson Stevens

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

Special teams have been a major focal point for Clear Creek Amana in two seasons under head coach Matt Haddy making every player on the Clipper roster a potential special teams standout.

Stevens isn’t going to be involved in the kicking game for the Clippers but the senior linebacker/running back could play a central role in several of the other special teams units.

Look for the elusive Stevens to be an option in the return game after he averaged 19.8 yards per kick off return on 11 opportunities last season.

Stevens also has the potential to make an impact on kick or punt block teams where the Clippers have excelled as a unit the past two seasons.

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