Pearl River County duo ranked among nation’s top returning high school rushers for 2026

South Mississippi has long been known for producing elite running backs, and the latest national rankings back that up. MaxPreps recently released its list of the top 10 returning rushing yard leaders entering the 2026 high school football season, and two Pearl River County standouts earned spots among the nation’s best.

Leading the way is Poplarville’s Ty Keys, who checks in at No. 3 nationally after a historic junior campaign. The reigning Mississippi Mr. Football rushed for 3,285 yards on 301 carries during the 2025 season, averaging nearly 11 yards per attempt. Keys also eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in 12 games, cementing himself as one of the most explosive playmakers in the country.

Joining Keys on the prestigious list at No. 8 is Picayune’s Xavier “Zay” Dennis. Dennis finished the 2025 season with 2,840 rushing yards on 275 carries and topped the 100-yard mark in 12 games. His combination of durability and production made him one of Mississippi’s premier offensive weapons.

With both backs returning for their senior seasons, expectations are sky-high for two of South Mississippi’s biggest stars. If their junior campaigns were any indication, fans should be in for another memorable season when high school football returns this fall.