Elijah Kennedy’s 2025 Breakout Season
Elijah Kennedy, a senior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, has quickly become one of the most electrifying return specialists in the Football Championship Subdivision.
The NCAA’s 2026 FCS Preseason All‑American teams recently listed Kennedy on the second team as a punt returner, a testament to his 2025 performance that saw him dominate the Coastal Athletic Association and rank among the nation’s elite.
A Record‑Setting Return Game
Kennedy’s 2025 season was especially remarkable because he returned from a severe injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign. In his first full year back, he logged 18 punt returns for 294 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 16.1 yards per return, and he also contributed a 96‑yard punt return that tied the program record for the longest score.
His impact extended beyond punt returns. As a kickoff returner he amassed 705 yards on 36 attempts, including a game‑winning 85‑yard return that capped a comeback against Campbell. That play, coupled with an earlier 85‑yard punt return for a touchdown at Maine, highlighted his ability to shift momentum in critical moments.
National Recognition and Future Outlook
Kennedy’s all‑purpose yardage placed him seventh in the conference, averaging 107.92 yards per game, and his combined return yards topped the nation at 979. The accolades continued with a CAA Special Teams Player of the Week award in late October, underscoring his consistent excellence.
Looking ahead, the Aggies open the 2026 season at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, hosting Morgan State at Truist Stadium. Kennedy’s presence on the special‑teams unit adds a dynamic threat that could be pivotal as the team aims to build on its recent successes.