Top Five Returning Tacklers in 2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-passers-in-2a/">Top Five Returning Passers in 2A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-rushing-leaders-returning-in-2a/">Top Five Rushing Leaders Returning in 2A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-receivers-in-2a/">Top Five Returning Receivers in 2A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-tackle-leaders-in-3a/">Top Five Returning Tackle Leaders in 3A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-five-returning-tackle-leaders-in-4a/">Top Five Returning Tackle Leaders 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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kaden Kos","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mid-Prairie","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a35430bae24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The leading returning tackler by a mile, Kaden Kos is the lone player in 2A that's back after posting over 100 tackles last season, finishing with 108.5. The six-foot, 200-pound First-Team All-State linebacker terrorized opposing offenses, posting nearly one-fifth of his total tackles as tackles-for-loss (TFLs) with 22.5, stopping the attack against Mid-Prairie before it could even get started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an explosive first step in pursuit of the ball-carrier, there isn't much to do to stop Kos, who will run around and through blockers to get the tackle. A strong, sure-tackler in the open field, not many opponents in the state are able to breakaway from the all-stater. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Hayden Hill","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wilton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a35430baf45"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Second in tackles for 2A next season is Hayden Hill of Wilton, who posted 80 for the Beavers in 2024. Moving up from 1A this fall and losing his fellow leading tackler, Owen Milder, who had nearly identical numbers last fall, Hill will be relied on to boost his numbers in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill helped out the offensive attack for the Beavers last fall, too, and will more than likely called upon to improve off his numbers on both sides of the ball. In addition to his team-lead in tackles and TFLs (10.5), Hill took 33 carries for 193 yards and four scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370695"],"_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-68a35430bafc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Back again after being included in the top receivers returning in Class 2A, the tight end/linebacker hybrid for Grand View Christian, [player_tooltip player_id='1370695' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] is primed for another big season in central Iowa. With 78 tackles to his name, Hoben is a handful for opposing teams on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his 6'5" and 220-pound frame, Hoben is the ideal size for both positions, using his length to snag tough catches on offense and wrap up ball-carriers on defense. With an element of natural athleticism to boot, Hoben's commitment to play tight end at South Dakota State makes a ton of sense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mitchel Fischer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sheldon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a35430bb0a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A northwest Iowa linebacker, Mitchel Fischer comes in at 76 tackles for Sheldon. One of the top tacklers in his part of the state, Fischer led the defensive effort for the Orabs in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tad slight of frame, Fischer uses his length and leverage as a tackler, seeking the ankles of ball-carriers to assuredly bring them down. Playing against a large contingent of teams that still run a traditional, run-heavy scheme, Fischer fills gaps in the running attack and helps his team stuff the running game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241503"],"_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-68a35430bb11a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After posting 71 tackles last fall for Osage, [player_tooltip player_id='1241503' first='Brock' last='Trees'] returns to lead the Green Devils' defense. Trees led a unified group of tacklers last season, with six majorly teammates reaching 48 or more tackles in 2024. After losing three seniors to graduation, Trees' play will be of utmost import defensively in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A productive and vital piece of both the offense and defense last fall, Trees added 93 carries for 404 yards and four touchdowns on the ground for Osage's offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ryan Griffith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Fayette Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a35430bb1fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lone junior of the crew, Ryan Griffith tied with Trees for fifth in returning tackle leaders from last season, posting 71 for North Fayette Valley. A classic, smalltown Iowa linebacker, Griffith may not look that physically imposing with pads, an oversized jersey and no extra gear like gloves or sleeves on, but the youngster of this group wasn't afraid to mix it up and stack up tackles last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong enough to shed blockers and get in the midst of the bodies, Griffith is a physical backer that will take on an offensive lineman, punch the ball out and get in the backfield for TFLs, where he registered 11.5 in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->