Top Five Returning Tackle Leaders in 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at each of the top five leaders in tackles that return in Class 5A this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-5-returning-passers-in-5a/">Top Five Returning Passers in 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-rushing-leaders-returning-in-5a/">Top Five Rushing Leaders Returning in 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-receivers-in-class-5a/">Top Five Returning Receivers in Class 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105160"],"_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-6890e22130ece"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 88 tackles last season for Ankeny, [player_tooltip player_id='1105160' first='Dawson' last='Whitinger'] is the top returning tackler in 5A. The youngest of the bunch as just a junior returning for his third year with the Hawks, Whitinger was everywhere for the Ankeny defense in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing with 11.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and 2.5 sacks in addition to a pick, Whitinger did a little bit of everything for the Hawks last season. Ankeny loses their second and third-ranked tacklers from last season in Ben Taylor and Samuel Sandvig, so the junior will be called upon to step up even more this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A stalwart in the middle of the defense for the Hawks, Whitinger will be pivotal in Ankeny's attempt to get back to the Dome this season after a one-year hiatus. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619384"],"_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-6890e22130f3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After posting 86.5 tackles for Davenport West last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1619384' first='Hunter' last='Bennett'] is making the move to Davenport North for his final year of high school ball. An instinctive tackler in the run game, Bennett understands where to be and when to be there. With his eyes on the backfield, he finds his best avenue to the runner, maintains technique and makes the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A little undersized at 6'0", 190-pounds, one can't tell by the way he plays. It may appear that Bennett is a player that can be handled at the second level of a defense, but his ability to disengage would-be blockers and make the hits that stop running backs in their tracks is more than notable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238512"],"_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-6890e22130f87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back again after making the top returning receivers list, it's no shock to see [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'] once again, this time amongst the top tacklers in all of Class 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 86.5 total tackles last season, Manson possesses the length, physicality and athleticism to almost always have a play on the ball at the center of the Trojan defense. Projecting to the mike linebacker spot at Iowa, Manson has the football IQ to fill the role, but is also genetically gifted as the son of Jason Manson, former Iowa quarterback/wide receiver and current assistant at Iowa. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manson should be among the most productive players in 5A on both sides of the ball this fall for Iowa City West -- not only as a mainstay on defense, but as a pass-catcher offensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1517049"],"_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-6890e22130fcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 73 tackles last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1517049' first='Kayden' last='James'] led Jefferson and the Cedar Rapids Metro in total tackles in 2024 -- in only seven games played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James is a key part as to why Jefferson made a resurgence into the playoff conversation last season. A hard-hitter with a non-stop motor, James is the 100%, all go, all the time type of linebacker a program like Jefferson needed to propel its defense forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clearly a film junkie, James' attention to details is recognizable in where his eyes go on defense. He finds the ball, and proceeds to make opposing ball-carriers not want to see him again with big hits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241414"],"_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-6890e22131011"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another familiar name after appearing on the list of top returning rushers from last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1241414' first='Jaden' last='Montgomery'] will also be back on the defensive side of the ball for Dubuque Hempstead this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Posting 70 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks last season at linebacker, one might say Montgomery is better on the defensive side of the ball, and he probably projects to playing linebacker at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hard-runner with his eyes on the endzone as a tailback, Montgomery is a stout body type that loves contact and searches for it every chance he gets. Like James, Montgomery is a high-motor linebacker that thrives on getting big hits and helping his team get stops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->