Editors note: This is the eighth in the eight-part “YPS Top 40” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 40 of the top returning football players for the 2024 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

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

Your Prep Sports has already highlighted seven different position groups on both offense and defense over the past week.

Today the final story in the YPS Top 40 highlights some of the top returning special teams performers in the area.

Here is a look at two of the top returning specialists in the area.

Evan Anderson

Senior, West High

A three-year starter at punter Anderson is a special teams Swiss Army knife capable of handling all the kicking duties.

Anderson is coming off the best season of his career last fall when he earned all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors after averaging a career-high in yards per punt, was perfect on place kicking attempts and handled the kick off duties for the Trojans.

The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Anderson averaged 35.6 yards per punt on 35 punts last season, up from the 31.9 yards per punt her averaged as a sophomore.

Anderson also made all 18 of his PAT attempts last season and hit a 24-yard field goal.

Nolan Staker

Junior, West Branch

After sharing the punting duties two seasons ago as a freshman Staker took over full-time last season and flourished earning all-district honors.

Staker followed up a debut season in which he averaged 33.8 yards per punt on nine punts by averaging 37.8 yards per punt on 37 punts last season.

A strong athlete, Staker should be among the best punters in the state over the next several seasons.

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