Midwest Tackle Leaders through 9/30

I'm psyched to be rolling on with our special PrepRedzone Midwest features and dig deep into each state's tackle leaders through the month of September. We've checked out INT, sack, rushing yard, and rushing TD leaderboards from the Dakotas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and have gotten to know under-the-radar studs, P5 prospects, small town ballers, and everything in-between. Find out who the Midwest's tackle leaders are through 9/30 below, and thank you for reading. As a note, I'm mostly going off of 11-man leaders, and the stats used in the article came from the likes of MaxPreps, TheDZone, BoundIowa, and MNFootballHub, so thank you to those sites for the info and archives. Congrats to these tackle machines on their awesome 2022 campaigns thus far.   Dakotas   North Dakota: Athan Zirnhelt (Sargent County) Junior. LB. 6', 200 lbs. 60 tackles   The junior is leading the North Dakota 11-man ranks through his six games of 2022 and has posted no less than seven tackles per contest this fall. With a total stat line of 60 tackles, 19 of those solo, as well as 6 TFLs, Zirnhelt had his best game against Rugby, where he posted 13 tackles and 2 TFLs in a tough loss to the Panthers. Unfortunately, Zirnhelt doesn't have any available film, but I'm interested to see if he can remain at the top of the tackle leaderboards for the rest of his junior season.   South Dakota: [player_tooltip player_id='89287' first='Jaxton' last='Eck'] (Brookings) Senior. LB. 6', 210 lbs. 76 tackles   The son of former South Dakota State offensive coordinator now Idaho Vandals Head Coach Jason Eck, senior linebacker Jaxton has stayed in Brookings for his senior year and is having a strong fall with his Bobcats defense. Within his 76 tackles, good for #1 in South Dakota and #1 in the Dakotas overall, Eck has posted an impressive 55 solos as well as 11 TFLs, 3 FFs, 2 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and two blocked punts. He's gone over double-digits in tackles in every game but one this fall, with two particularly noteworthy performances coming against both Huron and Spearfish. Against Huron, the 210 pounder had 11 tackles, 4 TFLs, a FF, and a sack in the 24-2 win, and in the 33-20 victory over Spearfish he totaled 8 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, and two blocked punts. On tape, he's been a thumper at the point of contact, halting ball carriers in their tracks, and I like the relentlessness in his pursuit as well as how well he can come up and breakdown to make strong tackles in space. I also enjoy watching him shoot gaps to disrupt plays before they happen. Eck has laid some big hits so far this season and I'm pumped to watch him enforce some more.   Illinois   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='267771' first='Luke' last='Zimmerman'] (Villa Grove) Senior. 5'11, 190 lbs. - 113 tackles   Sitting at a maniacal 18.8 tackle per game average, the Land of Lincoln's tackle leader started the year with three straight 20+ tackle performances, climaxing with 23 tackles in a tough 33-26 loss to Ridgeview/Lexington. He's also rushed 82 times for 367 yards and 5 TDs, caught 13 passes for 235 yards and 3 more TDs as an offensive threat in 2022. Zimmerman only has one game of highlights from this fall, but in the tape vs. Cerro Gordo Bement he shows off some unassuming jets and has a strong lower body for 190 pounds. He's a natural, do-it-all type football player.   Indiana   Tackle Leader: Aiden Beadles (South Putnam) Junior. LB. 6'3, 205 lbs. - 130 tackles   There's a lot to like in Indiana's tackle leader out of South Putnam in Greencastle. With Division 1 size and production, Beadles has churned out a beastly 75 solo tackles and 130 overall in seven games of 2022 action. Additionally, he's recorded 12 TFLs, a sack, two PBUs, and a FF, and his best game came on 9/23 against West Vigo where he balled out for 28 tackles, four QB hurries, 2 TFLs, a PBU, and a FF. The tape shows Beadles able to generate some good speed as a blitzer as well as get himself super slippery at avoiding blocks. For a longer, leaner 'backer he had some good sticks in his 1-4 highlights as well. I wish I could check this dude out in person, that's forsure.   Iowa   Tackle Leader: Logan Evans (Mormon Trail) Senior. 6', 180 lbs. - 83 tackles   Garden Grove product Logan Evans is one of the smaller defenders on this list but still is holding some big stats through the 1/2-3/4 point of 2022 with 83 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, and 7 sacks. The 8-player standout's senior game tape shows off a dynamic defender who has lined up all over the field this fall and done just about anything and everything asked of him. He looks and plays bigger than his size would suggest and I like how he prevents ball carriers from gaining extra yardage and halts their momentum once he gets ahold of them. I also like how he identifies and locates the football quickly and I think his high school coaches would agree that he's got a nose for the football. There are some hidden gems in the non-11 man ranks, especially on defense, and Evans is definitely deserving of college looks after seeing his film and stats.   Kansas   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='442662' first='Adam' last='Hageman'] (Shawnee Mission Northwest) Sophomore. 5'10, 170 lbs. - 70 tackles   Double digit tackle stat lines have been the norm for underclassman Hageman, who has 70 tackles spread out over five games with 9 TFLs, a sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries on top of being the state's 11-man tackle leader. He opened his sophomore season with a bang on September 2nd with 13 solo tackles, an assisted tackler, and 5 TFLs in a 44-0 win over Shawnee Mission West. Despite being undersized for the MLB spot, the kid is a dog, and is impressive when taking on much larger blockers as well as XL ball carriers straight on, and he's also a sure tackler with a good motor to boot. The future is bright for the young buck!   Non 11-man Leader: Branden Sinclair (Lincoln) Junior. 5'7, 180 lbs. - 97 tackles   Michigan   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='241271' first='Chase' last='Kern'] (Hartland) Senior. - 85 tackles   Michigan's tackle leader Kern is off to the races in 2022 and started off hot with a 16 tackle, 2 TFL showing against Glenn in Hartland's 26-8. He's also posted impressive stat lines the past two games with a 19 tackles and 2 TFLs in a win versus Plymouth and 18 tackles and 2 TFLs last Friday vs. Howell. His 14.2 tackles per game have aided Hartland to a 4-2 record with a lot of football left to be played. His one game of highlights show off a hard hitter who can shoot gaps with great timing.   Non 11-man Leader: Gage Cheedie (Atlanta) Senior. 5'7, 165 lbs. - 108 tackles   Minnesota   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='112123' first='Reese' last='Littlefield'] (Centennial) Senior. LB. 6'3, 230 lbs. - 72 tackles   A massive and well-built two-sport standout who also excels in lacrosse, Littlefield has led his Centennial Cougars from his ILB position and has recorded 10 or more tackles in their five games of 2022 action. Spotlighted by his 18 tackle showing in a win vs. Totino-Grace and a narrow loss to Maple Grove. He's also posted two TFLs, a sack, and PBU and has looked good doing it, sending ball carriers flying into the turf or meeting them behind or at the LOS and high-stepping them backwards for a loss. I really like how patient he is at sifting through traffic and blockers to find the ball and he takes great pursuit angles that help meet RBs for minimal gains. He also bounces off blocking attempts like a pin ball! He's only got one DII offer right now but that is sure to change as the season continues to develop.   Missouri   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='133863' first='Draven' last='VanGilder'] (Joplin) Senior. LB. 5'9, 215 lbs. - 95 tackles   The Joplin product has posted no less than 13 tackles in each and every contest of 2022 and is a big reason why the Eagles are 5-1 with blowout victories and tight finishes against strong Show-Me State competition. He had a 20 tackle and one TFL game in Joplin's barnburner of a 29-22 win against Ozark. He's also caused three FFs so far this season and it's safe to assume more are coming. His senior season 1-4 highlights opens his tape with a crushing pop that bounced a RB off the turf like a basketball, and I also like his naturally low pad level, lateral agility, and strength at the point of contact. His rock-solid base also helps him stay upright and in his assigned gap when bigger OL get their hands on him. Vangilder is a little bowling ball of physicality and a fun one to watch on tape out of Missouri.   Non 11-man Leader: Jayden Maggert (St. Paul Lutheran) Junior. 5'11, 205 lbs. - 91 tackles   Nebraska   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='398510' first='Eli' last='Boryca'] (Cozad) Senior. 5'11, 200 lbs. - 81 tackles   A Cozad Haymaker (great mascot) senior, Nebraska's 11-man tackle leader posted 20 against Broken Bow, 18 vs. Gothenburg, and 16 vs. Ogallala. He's also tallied 2 forced fumbles and 2 TFLs throughout the six games of his 2022 season. Not a lot of film, sadly.   Non 11-man Leader: Gatlin Reimers (Palmer) Sophomore. 5'10, 165 lbs. - 121 tackles   Ohio   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='422200' first='Leighton' last='Loge'] (Nelsonville-York) Senior. SS. 5'10, 160 lbs. - 111 tackles   The tackle machine has put up gaudy numbers from his SS spot to the tune of 22, 23, and 20 tackle performances, not to mention the fact he hasn't recorded less than 10 in any of NY's seven 2022 prep contests. He's also posted 17 TFLs, 2 sacks, four FFs, and four PBUs, as well as 265 receiving yards and 2 TDs off 14 catches. Not shy of the bright lights, Loge has shown up and shown out at just about every available opportunity this fall. On tape, he plays and pursues with great leverage, is a natural at getting his hands on the football and forcing fumbles, and shows off closing speed and pop, especially for an undersized defender. Someone is going to get themselves a baller in Mr. Loge.   Wisconsin   Tackle Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='300511' first='Marcus' last='Getsinger'] (Pittsville) Senior. 6', 205 lbs. - 123 tackles   Getsinger had a draw-dropping individual effort on September 9th when he posted 31 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 3 FFs in a win at Pacelli. His lowest total came in a 14 tackle game at Colby High School. This dude has been a maniac through 2022! His early season highlights display a linebacker with noticeable and impressive speed for the position while also possessing the size and strength to live and excel between the tackles, working off multiple blocking attempts from iOL and running down the ball on the edge. His sideline-to-sideline ability combined with that motor and you have some good-looking senior highlights to watch. The Badger State has and always will produce monster LB prospects.

I'm psyched to be rolling on with our special PrepRedzone Midwest features and dig deep into each state's tackle leaders through the month of September. We've checked out INT, sack, rushing yard, and rushing TD leaderboards from the Dakotas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and have gotten to know under-the-radar studs, P5 prospects, small town ballers, and everything in-between. Find out who the Midwest's tackle leaders are through 9/30 below, and thank you for reading. As a note, I'm mostly going off of 11-man leaders, and the stats used in the article came from the likes of MaxPreps, TheDZone, BoundIowa, and MNFootballHub, so thank you to those sites for the info and archives. Congrats to these tackle machines on their awesome 2022 campaigns thus far.