Deck’s Deep Dive: We Must Defend This House

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So on each of the three Prep Network sites I scout for, I have tried to lay out a road map of what I plan to feature each month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Prep Redzone Kansas, my goal for the months of December and January is to shine the light on as many defensive prospects as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I plan to feature guys who made big tackles, and lots of them this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes my reports will be organized by class, sometimes by position, and sometimes just randomly thrown together. However, for the foreseeable future the defensive side of the ball, providing updates on the recruitment for the Class of 2025, and working in the background on rankings will be my focus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If your high school program does not provide stats on Max Preps and you would like to be featured, I suggest you DM stats on X - @KSScoutDeck or via email <a href="mailto:deckscoutks@gmail.com">deckscoutks@gmail.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This first report features six top tacklers who finished their high school football careers with state title victories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285721' first='Landon' last='Preston'],</strong> DB, 5'11”, 190, Andover Central, &nbsp;‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preston led the 4A State Champion Jaguars in tackles with 115. Six of his tackles went for lost yardage he also recovered two fumbles during his senior season. He recorded back-to-back seasons of 100-plus tackles for Andover Central. He is ranked No. 274 overall in the Kansas Class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1322065' first='Logan' last='Taggart'],</strong> LB, 6'3”, 210, Andover Central, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taggart finished with 78 total tackles for Central. He wreaked havoc in the backfield this season with 11.5 TFLs and 2.5 quarterback sacks. He is ranked No. 105 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. Taggart is drawing interest from multiple collegiate programs in Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552996' first='Tucker' last='Thaxton'],</strong> WR/DB, 6'0”, 170, Southeast Saline, &nbsp;‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thaxton is a fast two-way athlete who played defensive back for the Class 2A State Champion Trojans. In 13 games played he finished with 48 total tackles. He breaks on the ball well and finished with three interceptions this year. Offensively, he made 74 receptions for 988 yards and caught 15 touchdown passes. Thaxton is currently unranked but has already been earmarked to be added.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229095' first='Grady' last='Gebhardt'],</strong> ATH, 5'7”, 160, Southeast Saline, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gebhardt is ranked No. 149 overall by Prep Redzone. He was second on the Trojan roster with 80 total tackles. He can play linebacker or safety. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed for 1,439 yards and 15 touchdowns. To my knowledge, he is still an uncommitted prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284900' first='Cade' last='Howell'],</strong> ATH, 5'9”, 195, Conway Springs, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell played a key role for the Class 1A State Champion Cardinals. He led Conway Springs in tackles with 106. He recorded 16 TFLs and two quarterback sacks. He also has a knack for creating turnovers finishing with three fumble recoveries and one interception en route to the state title. Howell is ranked No.  467 overall in the Kansas Class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Layne Whitney,</strong> LB, 6'1”, 150, Conway Springs, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitney finished his prep career with a state title celebration. He recorded 61 total tackles for the Cardinals and 14 tackles for lost yardage. He is currently an unranked prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->