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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Tennessean ranked the top 20 Nashville area kick returners returning for the 2026 TSSAA football season.
Now, you get to choose the best.
Vote for the Ponce Law 2026 Preseason Top Kick Returner. Voting will close July 30 at noon.
Rankings are based on 2025 statistics, strength of schedule, observations, recruiting interest, and coach feedback. Players are listed by their grade for the 2025-26 school year.
More: Ponce Law is honored to offer the 2026 Perspectives Scholarship to support students’ educational journey. Learn more.
Lex Baskin, Brentwood Academy, Jr.: Returned seven kickoffs for 279 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 24 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. His offers include Arkansas, UAB, Southern Miss, Miami (Ohio) and FIU.
Lionel Brooks, Franklin Christian Academy, Sr.: The Region 5-4A Offensive Player of the Year, totaled 282 yards in kick returns with two touchdowns last season at Spring Hill. He also rushed for 1,594 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Zakyus Everly, Lawrence County, Sr.: Totaled 192 yards on kick returns and 61 yards on punt returns, finishing with 1,148 all-purpose yards.
Kaden Grigsby, Nashville Christian, Sr.: Totaled 1,034 all-purpose yards and returned a punt for a touchdown. He caught 39 passes for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 399 yards in kick returns. His offers include Indianapolis, ETSU, Tennessee State, EKU, Samford and Austin Peay.
Warner Hart, Montgomery Bell Academy, Sr.: Returned 12 kickoffs for 260 yards in eight games.
Aylin Kennedy, Richland, Sr.: Totaled 256 kick return yards and two touchdowns. He has a Maryville offer.
Jeramy Laster, Beech, Jr.: A four-star receiver prospect, returned a punt for a touchdown and a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. He also caught 26 passes for 554 yards and seven touchdowns on offense. He is the No. 9 player in Tennessee from the 2028 class and the No. 31 receiver nationally, with offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Indiana, Ole Miss , Vanderbilt and Auburn.
Landan Left, Pearl-Cohn, Sr.: A Western Kentucky commitment, returned five punts for touchdowns in 2025, finishing with 639 total return yards. He also recorded 56 tackles, 33 solo stops, one tackle for loss, three interceptions, one interception returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on defense. He also rushed for 569 yards and six touchdowns.
Kaden McCrory, Mt. Pleasant, Sr.: Had 167 yards in kick returns and a touchdown. On offense, he rushed for 958 yards and 19 touchdowns on 148 carries. He also had a receiving touchdown.
Ayden Meadows, Hendersonville, Sr.: The Region 6-5A Most Valuable Special Teams Player, totaled 580 yards in kick returns, averaging 34 yards per kickoff return with three touchdowns. He also averaged 10 yards per punt return.
Josiah Perkins, Davidson Academy, So.: Has a Nicholls State offer and returned 10 kickoffs for 157 yards as a freshman.
Ke’Vontae Pitts, East Nashville, Sr.: A three-star Mississippi State commitment, returned two punts for touchdowns. He is the No. 46 player in Tennessee from the 2027 class. He also had three interceptions, eight pass breakups and 58 tackles on defense.
Jadon Portis, Kirkwood, Sr.: The Region 7-5A Athlete of the Year, totaled 312 yards and a touchdown as a kick and punt returner. He had 80 tackles (seven for loss), one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery on defense, and caught 35 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns.
McKaleb Powell, Summertown, Sr.: Totaled 192 yards on kick returns and 61 yards on punt returns. He finished with 1,148 all-purpose yards and five total touchdowns.
Stanley Williams Jr., Battle Creek, Jr.: Had 291 return yards with a touchdown. He also caught 52 passes for 739 yards and 11 touchdowns, while recording 15 tackles and two interceptions on defense, including one returned for a touchdown.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at [email protected] and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83 .
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vote for Ponce Law's Preseason Top Kick Returner for 2026 TSSAA football season
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