Defensive Eight-Man Gems: Top Tacklers In The Class of 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After much contemplation and featuring top running backs and quarterbacks in Kansas I have decided to switch sides of the ball and focus on top tacklers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So between now and the rest of the holiday season I will be writing scouting reports on some of the top linebackers, defensive backs, and linemen who punished ball carriers in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then once January hits I will be rolling out updated class rankings and scouting reports on ranked athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report on some of the tackle leaders from the Kansas eight-man football ranks. For this report, I am going to limit the list to seniors as we are hot and heavy into the recruiting season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103749' first='Chance' last='Jermark']</strong>, LB, 5'8”, 165, St. John's/Tipton, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jermark has been featured on Prep Redzone a couple of times, but usually about his offensive production. The senior linebacker racked up 158 total tackles in nine games played. He is fast and can get into the backfield. Twenty-four of his tackles accounted for a loss of yardage and he also collected 5.5 quarterback sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103759' first='Brayan' last='Rodriguez'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 165, Rawlins County, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez is another solid two-way prospect. He has been featured here before for his production in the Buffaloes run game. On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 146 total tackles in 11 games. He is a playmaker on defense as he also recorded one interception and four fumble recoveries. Twenty of his tackles resulted in lost yardage. He has plus upper body strength and knows how to wrap up ball carriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Uhl</strong>, LB, 6'0”, 190, South Central, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Timberwolves' season ended in a one-sided loss in the 8-Man II State Championship game, but their defense led by Uhl was what helped them advance to the title game. The South Central defender finished his season with 103 total tackles in 12 games. He had four quarterback sacks and five interceptions. He could play linebacker at the college level or add some weight and move to the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braxton Dixon</strong>, LB, 6'0”, 170, Rawlins County, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixon is bigger in stature than his teammate Rodriguez, but not quite as explosive. The two made a nice linebacking duo for Rawlins County. Dixon registered 102 total tackles in 11 games. Eleven of those tackles were for loss and he added three quarterback sacks. He has good instincts and brings the wood when he unloads on a ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brayden Berens,</strong> DB, 5'9”, 180, Skyline, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berens was one of the top running quarterbacks in eight-man football in 2023, but he also was a key cog on Skyline's defensive unit. He finished with 97 total tackles in nine games. He was a turnover machine during his senior campaign as he had five fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Berens has committed to play baseball at Tabor College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Boston Norris</strong>, LB/DL, 6'0”, 190, Central, &nbsp;‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders' leading tackler has strong legs and plays with good pad level. He finished with 95 total tackles during his senior year. He has good speed which can be used as an edge rusher or linebacker. He could add depth to an NAIA program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryson Rathgeber</strong>, DL, 5'10”, 165, South Barber, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes you have to dig extra deep to find the best gems. I am not sure how Rathgeber was not in my sights earlier in the season as impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. The Chieftains senior recorded 94 total tackles which includes an eye-popping total of 23 tackles for loss. On the offensive side of the ball, he accounted for more than 1,000 total yards of offense and scored 18 total touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Coble</strong>, DB, 5'8”, 140, West Elk, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriot Senior has a quality Hudl highlight package. He has good closing speed to assist with stopping the run game and to eliminate quick screens. Coble recorded 95 total tackles in 11 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->