Top Five Returning Tackle Leaders in 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at each of the top five tackling leaders that return in Class 4A this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-receivers-in-4a/">Top Five Returning Receivers in 4A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-rushing-leaders-returning-in-4a/">Top Five Rushing Leaders Returning in 4A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-passers-in-4a/">Top Five Returning Passers in 4A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-tackle-leaders-in-5a/">Top Five Returning Tackle Leaders in 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1581293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6893c003a3422"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back after finishing second overall in 4A and fifth overall in all classes in tackles, [player_tooltip player_id='1581293' first='Nate' last='Warner'] returns to the second-level of the Pella defense after posting 109.5 tackles during his junior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off a commitment to Division II Central Missouri, Warner will look to match those same gaudy numbers of his junior year this season. A gap-filler as the middle linebacker in the Pella defense, Warner knows where he's supposed to be and when he's supposed to be there. Similar to a Jay Higgins type at Iowa, Warner won't jump off the charts in terms of the physical size or numbers he puts up in testing, he just makes plays. His ability read-and-react is at a whole different level than most linebackers his age, as once he recognizes what offenses are trying to do, he fires after the ball carrier and makes the stop, rarely missing open-field tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blocking three punts last season on special teams, Warner is a do-it-all player, too, which will be of benefit to him when seeking snaps early on with the Mules. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532913"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1765060,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6893c003a349e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the No. 7 linebacker in the class of 2027, we're seemingly writing about Newton on every one of these lists. [player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'] returns for the Cardinals this fall with 102 tackles to his name from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The heart of the defense for Newton, Milburn is a physical backer that loves to hit every chance he gets. With interest from Iowa, Iowa State, Wyoming, Army and North Dakota, Division I programs have taken notice of the 6'3" and 220-pound LB. Despite his size, Milburn is much faster on his feet than one would think at first glance. Like Warner, the Newton LB can quickly diagnose what offenses are trying to run and proceed to blow it up. With his physical tools and violence on the field, he can burst through double-teams or multiple would-be blockers and make the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1644914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6893c003a34e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The second Dutchman of the group, Kyler Van Maanen will also be part of the Pella defense that will look to take a step up after finishing as the runners up in Class 4A last season. With Van Maanen back after posting 87 tackles, the Dutch defense should be in good shape this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the an outside linebacker, Van Maanen is required to do more pass coverage than Warner, and when he drops into his zone, he possesses a bit more speed and length which he uses to fly around and make plays. He didn't rack up quite the stats that his older teammate did last season, but as his cohort in the middle, Van Maanen and Warner will be two of the most feared linebackers in 4A in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6893c003a3530"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A three-sport athlete that wrestles and runs track for Des Moines North, Nichaud Lewis-Walker returns for his final year of high school ball after posting 86.5 tackles for the Polar Bears last fall. After losing leading tackler Dein Gaye to graduation after he posted 102 tackles last season, Lewis-Walker will be relied on to lead North's defense this fall from the backend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Able to survey everything from the safety spot, Lewis-Walker doesn't allow his small size to deter him from getting involved up front. A defender that will mix it up with the big guys, Lewis-Walker doesn't shy away from contact or making a play defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6893c003a3575"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming back after an <em>outlandishly</em> productive freshman season for Des Moines Hoover, the No. 2 linebacker in the class of 2028, [player_tooltip player_id='1596631' first='Paulo' last='Asani'] is back, looking to improve off an excellent start to his high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A youngster with excellent instincts and the willingness to mix it up on the field with older, bigger players, Asani may be listed as a linebacker for now, but given his 5'10" and 160-pound frame, he may project as a nickel or safety in the future. Either way, he'll need to add some weight (that will come with age), but Asani's natural nose for the ball makes him a notable prospect already. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->