Top Returning Defensive Stat Monsters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>For 30% off your subscription, use code Johnson30 in the coupon code area!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We covered the top offensive stat monsters in our previous article on PRZ WI. Now we flip to the defensive side of the ball to find the top returning tackle machines, sack artists, and ball hawks. This is an interesting group of athletes. There are underclassmen, D1 talent, athletes who just broke out this past season. It is all here, and they are all going to be athletes to watch closely next fall as they look to beat these numbers. Let's get it started!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Top Tackle Machines</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Wyatt Hilby","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ithaca","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 149 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 3.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1 Blocked Kicku003c/emu003ernrnThe #1 tackling machine returning to WI HS fields is the Ithaca athlete. He led the way for a defense that held opponents to 22 points per game, and a 6-5 record. Wyatt had 63 more tackles than the next man on his defense. It is clear that the sophomore was flying all over the field collecting tackles and shutting down offenses. You can see that he was also able to get into the backfield often with his 10 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c262"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["262063"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 147 Tackles, 19 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 FR, 3 FF, 1 Pick Six, 1 PBUu003c/emu003ernrnThe second leading tackler returning to the field this fall is FBS talent, [player_tooltip player_id='262063' first='Cooper' last='Catalano']. The sophomore holds a few offers from the FBS level, and his production matches his talent. Catalano and his defense held opponents to 20.2 PPG and a 5-5 record. You will be hard pressed to find a defender better at roaming the field than LB1 in the Class of 2025. His ability to diagnose plays and his innate sense for the position have led to these special stat lines. A much watch prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c2cd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brady Krueger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Port Washington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 144 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks, 2 FR, 1 FFu003c/emu003ernrnThis is an impressive athlete. Brady is 5'10u0022 165 lbs and playing LB. Despite his undersized stature, Brady puts up monster numbers. He has a nose for the football, and clearly knows how to get himself in position to make the stop. His play in the middle of the defense helped his team go 9-3 and get to the Level 3 playoffs. Kruger and the defense held teams to 20.6 PPG as well. I'll be watching closely to see what he does this season. I'm expecting more big numbers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c37e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Top Sack Artists</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='549037' first='Wade' last='Bryan']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Waunakee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 56 Tackles, 26 TFLs, 18 Sacks, 1 FR, 1 FFu003c/emu003ernrnWade lives in the backfield of offenses. It doesn't matter if it's against the run or pass. Wade finds a way to get into the backfield and end plays quickly. His pass rushing is what has him on this list. He finished the year #1 in the state in sacks by a margin of 5 sacks. That is the largest lead since 2019. His dominant play helped Waunakee go 11-1 and make a Level 3 appearance. Wade is going to continue to dominate and needs to be on the radar of the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c404"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["132332"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 70 Tackles, 12 TFLs, 13 Sacks, 2 FRs, 1 Safety, 1 Blocked Kick, 2  PBUsu003c/emu003ernrnThe sack race could be elite next fall as [player_tooltip player_id='132332' first='Damarcus' last='Chappell'] finished second in the state. He returns to the field with the talent to get after the QB. Talent that will require the attention of next level coaches. His burst off the line and violent hands make him hard to get a lineman in front of in passing situations. He is a violent athlete. His defensive efforts helped Nicolet make the playoffs. Look for him and Nicolet to make another impressive run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c455"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["154514"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 56 Tackles, 14 TFLs, 10.5 Sacks, 1 FRu003c/emu003ernrnCaymen is a two way playmaker, but he does most of his damage on the defensive side of the ball. He consistently gets himself into the backfield and gets to the ball. Gebheim is a rangy LB who has proven he can track down ball carriers in the backfield no matter where he is on the field. That range amplifies his blitzing as well. Look for Somerset to bounce back this fall after a 3-6 season with Caymen leading the way on both sides of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c4a1"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Top Ball Hawks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='634711' first='Carter' last='Morrison']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"DeForest","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 21 Tackles, 1 FR, 1 FF, 8 INTs, 3 Pick Sixes, 12 PBUsu003c/emu003ernrnLooking at the stats, Carter is the premier DB returning to HS fields this fall. The DeForest safety clearly sees the field and reads the QB with the best of them. 20 times last season he got his hands on the ball. That's not something you see very often. Carter clearly has the range for the safety position as well. DeForest will be looking for a lot of new offensive playmakers, so look for Morrison and the defense to shoulder the load throughout the season. He is going to be a name to know this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c521"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["601711"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 14 Tackles, 1 FF, 8 INTsu003c/emu003ernrnAnother ball hawk that needs the attention of the next level is the very long Xavier safety. He is tied for the most INTs returning in 2023. The 6'5u0022 athlete is very intriguing. He has excellent length, yet is a rangy athlete. Both of which were key to make the turnvoers he has. I'm impressed by his ability to bait QBs into bad throws as well. That ability to bait comes from his ability to read the QB. Xavier had one of the best defenses in 2022. Brightman was a key piece and will be again in 2023.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c570"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tanner Herman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Johnson Creek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eStats: 23 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 FR, 6 INTs, 9 PBUsu003c/emu003ernrnThe sophomore burst onto the scene this past fall, and is the third most productive ball hawk returning to the field this fall. His big plays helped lead Johnson Creek to a 7-5 record. The underclassman made an impact on both sides of the ball, and you see traits that excel on both sides. Soft hands, speed that stands out from the crowd, and awareness of what is going on around them. I'm excited to keep eyes on Herman this fall to see if he can repeat his impact from 2022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d9a3b61c5ed"} /-->