Defending the Desert: Highlighting Arizona’s Top Tacklers
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With the 2024 season quickly approaching, it’s a good time to take a look back at some of last year’s top performers. This article takes you through the returning players who led the state in tackles per game last season.…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2024 season quickly approaching, it’s a good time to take a look back at some of last year’s top performers. This article takes you through the returning players who led the state in tackles per game last season. These four prospects were able to make a real impact last season, and are only getting better.
Arizona’s Returning Tackle Leaders
Name | Tck/G | Tot Tcks | TFL | Sacks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Thaine Cook | 13.6 | 150 | 8 | 3.5 |
Beckham Barney Beckham Barney 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Mesa-Mountain View | 2025 State AZ | 13.2 | 145 | 13 | 4 |
Caleb Randall Caleb Randall 5'9" | 165 lbs | LB Scottsdale Christian | 2025 State AZ | 12.9 | 181 | 9 | 2 |
Matthew Lee | 12.9 | 116 | 19 | 1.5 |
Thaine Cook
Thaine Cook
Holding down the middle of the defense for Camp Verde, Thaine Cook led all returning players with 13.6 tackles a game. He does a nice job of attacking the ball with a speed and intensity that leads to long games for the opposing running backs. At 5’8″ and 175 lbs, what Cook lacks in size he makes up for with quick feet and a high football IQ. Having the speed that he does, he doesn’t cover like your average middle linebacker. Instead, he can really stick to a man and become an asset against both the run and the pass. Cook will be the centerpiece of that Camp Verde defense as they try to finish another year going undefeated in section games.
Recently committing to Cal to play football, Beckham Barney Beckham Barney 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Mesa-Mountain View | 2025 State AZ is such an instinctual linebacker. Notching 13 tackles for loss while averaging over 13 tackles a game, he’s constantly in the backfield. His impressive mix of timing, speed, and strength proves to be too much for just about any offensive line to stop when he’s asked to blitz. In coverage, he’s able to move so fluidly across the field that he can cover an incredibly large zone, he also possesses the speed to stick with any receiver he lines up against. With his commitment wrapped up before the season begins, I’d expect Barney to play loose and free out there and really build off of an already stellar junior year.
Caleb Randall Caleb Randall 5'9" | 165 lbs | LB Scottsdale Christian | 2025 State AZ is a very physical linebacker for Scottsdale Christian. He finished his junior season having more tackles than anyone in the state of Arizona with 181. It’s not like he had tons of shoe-string tackles on the outside; instead, Randall was consistently setting the tone for his defense. He does a great job securing the tackle in the open field and has some impressive strength at just 165 lbs. Playing on a really talented Scottsdale Christian roster, Randall is a player coaches should be watching closely as he leads their defense through his senior season.
Highlights
Matthew Lee
Matthew Lee
The only sophomore to crack the top-five in tackles per game, Matthew Lee was able to record over 100 tackles on his way to setting a school record as only a sophomore. He can seamlessly navigate through the line of scrimmage as he patiently makes his way to the ball carrier, careful to avoid any blockers along his way. If someone does manage to get their hands on him, he does a nice job of quickly using his hands to get them disengaged as quickly as possible. Only going into his junior season, Lee is a player flying under the radar, and he’s hoping to change that in 2024.