Tackling Machines Returning in 2024
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a subscription We have spent the week looking at the top returning offensive state producers returning in 2024 to put up even better numbers. Now we flip to the other side of the ball.…
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We have spent the week looking at the top returning offensive state producers returning in 2024 to put up even better numbers. Now we flip to the other side of the ball. We will look at the top returning sack monsters, ballhawks, and tacklers. We are going to start with the tackle machines roaming the field and delivering big hits. The film will also be linked here available. Let’s dive in!
Isaiah Groom
Isaiah Groom
The top returning tackler in the state of WI is junior LB Isaiah Groom from Potosi/Cassville. Groom doesn’t have any film currently, but he has an impressive frame at 6’2″ 235 lbs. In 2023 he finished with an outrageous 162 tackles in 11 games. That is nearly 15 tackles per game. The big man also plays on the OL. Keep an eye out for future film on the big, productive athlete.
Next up is a stud two-way athlete out of Two Rivers. That is sophomore Max Matthias Max Matthias ATH Two Rivers | 2026 State WI . In 2023 Max finished 7th with 150 tackles. Two Rivers will need more of that after graduating a lot of other production this coming June. The 5’9″ 195 lbs Matthias is a ball of power. Two Rivers has actually used him on the DL. In the trenches, Matthias has done a great job using his leverage and power to get penetration and disengage with blockers. Once clean, Max has good burst to close on the ball carrier. Check out some tape from the productive athlete.
Boone Schairer
Boone Schairer
Boone is another highly productive DL. He amassed 144 tackles in 2023. Enough to finish in the Top 10 in the state. The junior averaged 12 tackles a game last year, and will be needed to continue to control the trenches for W-B in 2024. Boone doesn’t have nay film currently, but I hope we see some this fall.
Drew Holzhueter Drew Holzhueter 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Cambridge | 2025 State WI
Drew Holzhueter Drew Holzhueter 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Cambridge | 2025 State WI
Another Top 10 tackler from 2023 is Cambridge’s LB Drew Holzhueter Drew Holzhueter 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Cambridge | 2025 State WI . The 6’1″ 185 lbs LB/WR finished with 144 tackles in 10 games. The athleticism that has made Drew a successful WR is what also makes him an effective LB. He has sideline to sideline range, burst to close on his target, and he has a knack for finding the patches of least resistance through the front seven. The junior is a high motor player who will make the chase down plays outside the box. He is a prospect on both sides of the ball. Check out the tape below.
Griffin Marko
Griffin Marko
Our third straight defender with 144 tackles is the St. Croix Falls LB. Griffin piled up those tackles in 13 games this fall while helping his team make a deep playoff run. The 5’11” 185 lbs junior was a dude between the tackles in 2023. Marko has solid instincts, is quick and agile which made him a nightmare to land a block on, and I was impressed with how well he could read and flow with the play while maintaining his gap and eventually closing on the ball for little to no gain. Take a look at the film.
Next up is future Wisconsin Badgers LB Cooper Catalano Cooper Catalano 6’2″ | 210 lbs | LB Germantown | 2025 State WI . The stud LB showed off that nose for the football in 2023, finishing Top 15 with 138 tackles. There is so much to like about his game. Sideline to sideline range. He is a downhill thumper who punishes ball carriers. He has the power to quickly get off blocks. His instincts and reaction to what he reads is so quick. I look forward to how he caps off his productive HS career. Check out his film below, Badger fans.
Highlights
Cam was around the ball a ton during his 11 game season, piling up 135 tackles. Cam checks in at 5’7″ 185 lbs, and he hasn’t let that size hinder him on the field. The sophomore does a good job of avoiding blocks between the tackles. He has the range to chase outside the tackle box, and his tackling is reliable. Cam still has two years of HS ball ahead of him, so we will have to see how he continues to grow and develop his game going forward.
Highlights
Ethan Richardson
Ethan Richardson
Ethan finished his junior season with 124 tackles in 10 games. The 6’1″ 195 lbs junior has a good frame to continue to build on and fill out. Richardson doesn’t have any recent film from 2023, but hopefully the productive junior will continue his strong play, and we will get to take a look at some film. I’ll be keeping an eye out for tape in the mean time.
Cooper finished his junior season with 122 tackles. Watching through the film, I liked how well he mirrored backs in the backfield, avoided blocks laterally, and then would meet the back in the hole for the stop. Cooper’s tape has multiple examples showing that he is a quick processor and recognizes plays as they are developing. Cornish has solid instincts for the LB position. The tape is below.
Highlights
Jackson Servais Jackson Servais 6’3″ | 205 lbs | LB Pewaukee | 2025 State WI is next up in a long line of productive, talented Pewaukee LBs. The 6’3″ 200 lbs athlete is an intimidating presence in the middle of the defense. In the end, Jackson finished with 121 tackles. The tape is fun to watch. The LB triggers downhill quickly and aggressively against the run. He shoves away OL block attempts and has solid speed to chase down plays. Jackson also plays with high level instincts, allowing him to run freely while he diagnoses plays. Servais is going to be moving up in the rankings after his big, impressive junior season. Check out the tape on this one, coaches.
Highlights
Kaydon Kennell
Kaydon Kennell
Next, we go way up north for Kaydon’s 118 tackle sophomore season. The 5’10” 175 lbs athlete was a defense and special teams standout, flying around the field and making impact plays tackling, getting sacks, and grabbing INTs. Despite being undersized, Kaydon does deliver solid hits that quickly end plays. He still has two years ahead of him. Time will tell if he is a northern WI hidden gem. He is off to a productive start to his career.
Braeden Veldboom
Braeden Veldboom
Our final athlete in today’s article of the top returning tackle machines is Oostburg’s Braeden Veldboom. Braeden finished with 113 tackles in 2023 in just 9 games. The two way athlete doesn’t have any film to review, but I will be keeping an eye out for the 6’1″ 185 lbs athlete.