Kansas Tackle Leaders: Eight-Man Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are far enough along in the season to really begin digesting the statistical leaders in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note not all teams make their stats public, also some teams who do make their stats public are sometimes 48 hours behind in reporting based on the stat app used.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another pet peeve of mine is that I won't include a player who I can't find a height and weight for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are eight defensive players who are among the unofficial league leaders in tackles through three games played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103749' first='Chance' last='Jermark']</strong>, MLB, 5'8”, 165, St. John's/Tipton ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jermark has been in full-on beast mode for three weeks. He has racked up 64 total tackles, 10 of those for lost yardage. He also has three sacks and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Ferguson</strong>, LB, 6'2”, 210, Thunder Ridge, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ferguson has been bringing the Thunder through three games. He has 49 total tackles, five of which are tackles-for-loss. He also has three sacks and a fumble recovery in three games played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Gradig</strong>, DE, 6'3”, 198, Lakeside (Downs), ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gradig, a junior defensive end, has a high number of tackles for the position he plays. He has been a playmaker for the Knights through three games with 45 total tackles (just nine short of his 2022 total), seven tackles-for-loss, and five sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214923' first='Gabe' last='Smith']</strong>, LB, 5'9”, 185, Lakeside (Downs), ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is tied with Gadig for the Knights' leader in tackles with 45. He has three tackles-for-loss and one sack. He is not as big as Gradig, but is quick and can cover the receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103759' first='Brayan' last='Rodriguez']</strong>, LB, 5'10”, 160, Rawlings Co., ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez is a high-energy linebacker who leads the Buffaloes with 38 total tackles. He has seven tackles-for-loss and one fumble recovery for Rawlings Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Nuss</strong>, RB, 6'2”, 176, Hill City, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nuss has been a stalwart on both sides of the ball for the Ringnecks. He leads Hill City with 37 total tackles and has rushed for 365 yards in three games. I know you were doing the math in your head that's an average of 100-plus yards rushing per game and more than 10 tackles a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gus Hanson</strong>, DE, 6'0”, 155, Rawlings Co., ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanson is a fast defensive end who is disrupting offenses in 2023. He has six tackles-for-loss and two sacks already in three games. He is second on the team with 36 total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Stansbury</strong>, OLB, 5'11”, 180, Little River, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stansbury leads the Littler River Redskins in tackles with 36 total tackles. He is averaging three quarterback hurries per game and owns four sacks in three games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->