Kansas Prime Beef: Class 3A-1A Tackle Leaders

No matter the defensive position played, the athletes in this scouting report are racking up tackles through two weeks. Not all teams in Kansas have played two games, but each player in this report have played two games. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35476" first="Doug" last="Grider"], 6’2”, 230, Halstead (’21 Ranked No. 148)</strong> – Grider has been grinding for the Dragon. The senior linebacker is ranked at number 148 in Prep Redzone Kansas’ Class of 2021 rankings. Grider is a run-stuffing linebacker who follows the ball well. He knows how to fight off blocks and plays disciplined defense. Grider’s play has helped spark Halstead to a 2-0 start to 2020. He probably tops out as an NAIA talent. <strong>DB, [player_tooltip player_id="35512" first="Trevor" last="Erickson"], 6’2”, 180, Chapman (’21 Ranked No. 234)</strong> – Erickson the only defensive back on this list at 22 tackles for the Irish. Chapman has a talented veteran team and Erickson is one of the leaders of that squad. The senior is also the starting quarterback for the Irish so he is a dangerous two-way player in high school. He could play on either side of the ball depending on a college program’s needs. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35635" first="Haven" last="Lysell"], 6’4”, 180, Smoky Valley (’22 Ranked No. 94)</strong> – Lysell is an athletic linebacker who leads the Vikings with 18 tackles. Four of his tackles are for loss. Lysell was ranked in the initial rankings for the Class of 2022. He projects as an NAIA or JUCO talent. He could possibly move to defensive end at the next level if he adds some weight. <strong>LB, Seth Strange, 5’11”, 165 Neodesha</strong> – Strange, a senior, has 21 tackles to lead the Blue Streaks in that category. Three of those tackles are for loss and he has added one sack. Strange does not have eye-popping measurables, but he puts in a yeoman’s effort for Neodesha. <strong>LB, Konnor Pfeifer, Ellis</strong> – Pfeifer leads the Railroaders with 26 total tackles. He has three tackles for loss and one sack. He hits the hole quick on run blitzes and wraps up well. He is very quick but could get stronger. Western Kansas college recruiters should make the trip to Ellis to give him and the 1-1 Railroaders a look. <strong>LB, Mason Gottschalk, 5’10”, 170, Ellis</strong> – Gottschalk, trails teammate Pfeifer by four tackles. Two of the linebacker’s 22 tackles have been for loss. He is in the Class of 2022 and with continued success could be added to the Prep Redzone Kansas rankings the next time they are updated. <strong>DL, Derek Wallin, Wabaunsee</strong>– Wallin, a senior for Wabaunsee has 16 tackles in two games, three of them for loss. He also wrestles, so he has a low center of gravity and excellent tackling technique.