Predicting NJ's 2025-2026 Solo Tackles Leader

[player_tooltip player_id='212382' first='Ausar' last='Heard'] has long carried the label of “next up,” and he's proving why. The 6'0”, 205-pound Winslow linebacker combines high-level instincts with fluid movement and polished tackling mechanics. He reads plays quickly, scrapes with control, and finishes with force. Heard racked up 109 solo tackles last season, and with more experience under his belt and continued growth in his football IQ, he's a legitimate threat to lead the state in solo tackles. Already holding offers from Pitt, Michigan, SMU, Temple, and Delaware, Heard enters the 2025-2026 season as a name to watch for production and leadership.        [player_tooltip player_id='212395' first='Matt' last='Occhipinti'] is the heart of a loaded Don Bosco defense. The UCF commit plays with intensity, instincts, and great pad level. He diagnoses plays quickly and wastes no time shooting gaps or working through blocks to find the football. His ability to consistently win in one-on-one tackle situations makes him one of the most reliable defenders in the state. With Bosco expected to be in a lot of high-stakes matchups, Occhipinti will have plenty of chances to rack up solo tackles and cement himself as one of New Jersey's top defensive producers.        [player_tooltip player_id='431328' first='Tasheem' last='Butler'] is built like a modern-day middle linebacker—physical, athletic, and able to stay on the field all three downs. After bouncing back from injury, he put together a strong 2023 season, helping lead Glassboro to a state title while racking up 61 solo tackles. Butler is at his best when he can square up runners and strike through contact, but he's also more fluid in coverage than most at his position. With a full offseason of development and a larger leadership role ahead, Butler has a real shot to top the solo tackles list in 2025-26. His offer list, which includes Syracuse and Georgia, reflects just how high his ceiling is.        [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Donovan' last='Linthicum'] might be flying under the radar, but his film says otherwise. The OakCrest standout brings elite burst downhill and consistently blows up plays before they develop. His instincts and quick first step allow him to shoot gaps and stay one step ahead of offenses. Add in his toughness, block-shedding ability, and knack for making solo stops in space, and you've got a linebacker built to rack up numbers. The Villanova commit has all the tools to lead New Jersey in solo tackles this season.        Justin Valinotti quietly put together one of the most productive seasons of any junior linebacker in the state. With 85 solo tackles and 118 total, he showed a nose for the football and the toughness to finish plays. As he sharpens his eye discipline and builds off last year's success, the Old Bridge standout has a real shot to top the solo tackles chart in 2025-2026.