Kent State Signee Buchanan Among Class 6A Tackle Leaders

Here is the final chapter of Deck's series of reports on tackle leaders in Kansas.   This report included information on committed and uncommitted talent from Class 6A programs. All of these defenders recorded at least 100 total tackles including seven seniors and three juniors.   [player_tooltip player_id='570190' first='Maguire' last='Richman'], LB, 6'2”, 205, Blue Valley, ‘25   Richman is one of the top linebackers in Kansas. The Blue Valley Tiger linebacker is already collecting accolades and recruiting notice. He unofficially led all Class 6A tacklers with a total of 132 in 12 games played. The really impressive number on his stat line is that 96 of those tackles were of the solo variety. Richman recorded 11 tackles for loss and is solid in pass coverage with one interception and seven pass breakups.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103603' first='Britton' last='Pascual'], LB, 5'9”, 185, Derby, ‘24   The Panthers' defense played a big role in Derby earning a spot in the 6A State Championship game. Pascual led the Derby defense with 132 total tackles. He has a quick first step and can wreak havoc in the backfield. He finished with 16 tackles for loss and recorded eight quarterback sacks. He also has a nose for creating turnovers as he recovered four fumbles and had one interception.   [player_tooltip player_id='826371' first='Martell' last='Buchanan'], DB, 6'2”, 180, Blue Valley, ‘24   Buchanan, affectionately known as “Hot Sauce”, parlayed his impressive senior season into a commitment to MAC program Kent State. The future Golden Flash recorded 124 total tackles in 12 games played for Blue Valley. He finished with two interceptions, seven TFLs, and five pass breakups. The big question for this top defensive back is whether will he change his nickname to the “Hot Flash.” I expect he will have an immediate impact when he arrives on the Ohio campus and will compete for a role on the Golden Flash special team units.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103644' first='Nate' last='Campbell'], LB, 5'11”, 190, Wichita Heights, ‘24   Campbell is an under-recruited linebacker. I saw him play in the Falcons' preseason jamboree as well as a college combine. He finished his senior campaign with 123 total tackles. In two seasons as a starter, he recorded 270 total tackles and 35.5 tackles for loss. Campbell is experienced, athletic, and can create turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1109197' first='Zander' last='Thomas'], LB/DB, 5'11”, 180, Lawrence, ‘24   Thomas is a tough athlete who also plays Lacrosse. He collected 121 total tackles in 10 games played for the Lions. He is quick and can play a hybrid safety/outside linebacker. Thomas made three interceptions in 2023 and registered four tackles for loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1180347' first='Tyler' last='Maslowski'], LB, 6'0”, 205, Blue Valley North,  ‘24   The leading tackler for the Blue Valley North Mustangs has received multiple offers from different levels of college competition. Maslowski racked up 108 tackles in nine games played. His tackles were evenly split between solo and assisted tackles with 54 of each. Nine of his tackles resulted in lost yardage and he added two quarterback sacks and one interception. He also plays baseball, but I expect he will commit in the spring to a Division II or NAIA program.   [player_tooltip player_id='866507' first='Joshua' last='Mackiewicz'], LB/DB, 6'2”, 200, Shawne Mission Northwest,  ‘25   The Cougars have a junior linebacker who will look to register back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons next fall as a senior. He finished with 106 total tackles in 10 games played including three TFLs. He had three interceptions during his sophomore season, but none in 2023. He will have a ton of experience when his high school career is completed.   [player_tooltip player_id='543075' first='Logan' last='Holthaus'], LB, 5'11”, 190, Blue Valley Northwest,  ‘24   The Huskies linebacker finished his senior season with 104 total tackles in 11 games. In three seasons of varsity action, he had over 200 career tackles. According to his social media account, he has received one offer from an out-of-state NAIA program. He has plus speed and occasionally returned punts for Blue Valley Northwest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115473' first='Dylan' last='Sonday'], LB, 6'1”, 215, Dodge City, ‘25   Another junior who had a solid defensive season in 2023 was the Dodge City Demon's [player_tooltip player_id='1115473' first='Dylan' last='Sonday']. In nine games played, he collected 103 total tackles, seven of which came behind the line of scrimmage. Sonday added to his junior stat line one quarterback sack and one fumble recovery.   Nate Gunderson, LB, 6'1”, 195, Olathe North, ‘24   Gunderson was the leading tackler for the Olathe North Eagles. During his senior campaign he collected 100 total tackles in 10 games played, 72 of those were solo tackles. He finished with 16 tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks. Gunderson has at least one offer from an in-state JUCO program in his pocket heading into the New Year.

Here is the final chapter of Deck's series of reports on tackle leaders in Kansas.