Editors note: This is the final installment in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2026 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 50 is an eight-story series that highlights 50 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

Over the last week seven different position groups on offense and defense have been highlighted with Your Prep Sports taking a look at the top returning players at quarterback and defensive back and everything in between.

Today the series concludes with a look at special teams.

Here are four of the top returning specialists in the Your Prep Sports area for the 2026 season.

Gabe Hegelheimer

Junior, Regina

An impressive athlete Hegelheimer could have fit into this series at either running back or linebacker after excelling at both spots on Regina’s 1A runner-up squad last season.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Hegelheimer averaged 11.8 yards per carry while rushing for 294 yards and six touchdowns last season and expects to take over a lead role in the Regina rushing attack this fall.

Hegelheimer also had 10 tackles with 3.5 for loss and a sack at linebacker last season.

Even with all that Hegelheimer is likely most valuable for his work on special teams both as a place kicker and as a returner.

Hegelheimer averaged 28.8 yards per kick return last season including a 91-yard return for a touchdown.

A two-time all-state selection at place kicker, Hegelheimer was a 1A first team all-state pick last fall after going 4-of-4 on field goal attempts, converting all 62 of his PAT attempts and posting 24 touchbacks on 81 kickoffs.

Hegelheimer also averaged 33.2 yards per punt on five punts last season.

Over the past two seasons Hegelheimer is 6-of-9 on field goal attempts and has converted 100-of-102 PAT attempts.

Collin McKie

Senior, Solon

McKie is coming off a breakout junior season in which he emerged as one of the top all around kickers in the state.

The 6-foot, 185-pound McKie was a Class 3A first team all-state selection at punter after ranking fourth in the state in yards per punt at 43.4 on 20 attempts.

McKie can also handle place kicking duties and was 9-of-11 on PAT attempts last season while recording four touchbacks on 15 kickoffs.

Expect another impressive season for the hard-working McKie who is coming off a strong offseason.

Aiden Gross

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

An all-state selection in soccer during the spring Gross will look to pick up where he left off on the gridiron after excelling in his first season as the full time Clear Creek Amana place kicker last season.

Gross followed up a strong sophomore campaign with an excellent junior season last fall in which he converted 34-of-36 PAT attempts while going 6-of-8 on field goals with a long of 35.

The 6-foot-2, 166-pound Gross has made 52-of-55 extra point attempts in his career and had four kickoffs go for touchbacks last season.

Pierce Beckman

Senior, Liberty High

Long snapper is a position that can often times go unnoticed until a team finds themselves in need of someone to fill the role.

That isn’t the case for Liberty High which has one of the best in the state at the position in senior Pierce Beckman.

A Northern Iowa commit, Beckman was a key part of every kicking unit for Liberty High last season as the Lightning went 11-2 and finished runner-up in Class 5A.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Beckman is an excellent athlete that expects to factor into the Liberty High offense this season as a tight end in addition to his special teams duties.

Beckman had two receptions for 14 yards last season but should see those numbers rise this fall.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating