The Kansas Leaderboard: 2028 Ranked Tackle Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the 2026 Prep Redzone Kansas rankings are updated and released next week, I will spend this week featuring defensive standouts from the Kansas Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first report features eight ranked members of the Class of 2028 who were near the top of the leaderboard for tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is not an all-inclusive list as some schools do not post stats publicly. Stats for this report were found on Max Preps. Also, I did not include athletes with missing information on their Max Prep profiles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1433325' first='Kash' last='Smith'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 215, Columbus, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith unofficially led all Kansas freshmen in tackles with 97 in 10 games. He recorded six tackles for lost yardage, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries for the Titans. Smith is currenlty ranked No. 17 overall by Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1433319' first='Cooper' last='Cranston'],</strong> DB/QB, 6'0”, 180, Holcomb, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cranston is ranked No. 16 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. He finished his freshman season with 78 tackles. He was a ball hawk for the Longhorns collecting two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530421' first='Grady' last='Siemsen'],</strong> LB, 5'9”, 135, Republic County, &nbsp;‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Siemsen finished his freshman campaign with 63 tackles in eight games. He is ranked No. 19 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He can play solid pass coverage as evidenced by his two interceptions and seven pass breakups</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1455233' first='Aymon' last='Oliver'],</strong> DL, 5'9”, 178, Circle, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver is ranked No. 21 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028 and is the top-ranked defensive lineman. He registered 60 tackles in eight games for the Thunderbirds. He recorded six TFLs, one quarterback sack, and two interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1433326' first='Jaxson' last='Smith'],</strong> LB, 5'9”, 170, Hill City, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill City's Smith finished his freshman season with 60 tackles. His speed is impressive as he collected 11 TFLs and eight quarterback sacks for the Ringnecks. Smith is ranked No. 36 overall by Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1455223' first='Xander' last='Young'],</strong> LB/RB, 6'0”, 160, Lyons, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young had an impact on both sides of the ball for the Lions. He finished with a total of 59 tackles in nine games. He also gained 572 yards on 99 carries. He scored five touchdowns on the ground for Lyons. Young is ranked No. 20 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1433327' first='Grant' last='Nehls'],</strong> LB/WR, 6'2”, 175, TMP-Marian, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nehls is a speedster with good hands. He finished with 51 tackles in eight games. He recorded three TFLs, two quarterback sacks, and three interceptions.&nbsp; He also began his high school career with 20 receptions for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Nehls is ranked No. 24 overall in the class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1080736' first='Edric' last='Zorn'],</strong> LB/RB, 6'0”, 185, Halstead, ‘28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zorn is ranked No. 7 overall by Prep Redzone. He finished his freshman season with 45 tackles in seven games. Zorn made six receptions for 90 yards and toted the rock 21 times for 181 yards for the Dragons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->