Elite Eight: Top 8 Returning Tackles Leaders in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that we are well into the offseason, I can look ahead to some of the top statistical producers who will be back for the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's jump over to the defensive side of the ball where we'll look at the top returning enforcers. Here are the top returning tackle leaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. 143 tackles - [player_tooltip player_id='1970032' first='Jackson' last='Gangwish'] ('28), Grand Island Central Catholic - 6'0" 190 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/jacksongangwish" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@jacksongangwish)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Crusaders had several players take a massive leap last fall as they finished with an 11-2 record and an appearance in the state championship, one being their leading tackler in [player_tooltip player_id='1970032' first='Jackson' last='Gangwish']. Jackson erupted in his sophomore season, ending with the second most tackles in the state with 143 and tallied 21 TFLs, two sacks, and an interception. Jackson also served as the team's backup QB and was able to contribute 377 passing yards, 177 rushing yards, four passing touchdowns, and three rushing touchdowns.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18089690/692f8a9ecc386d237961307d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ee24b9f9cf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. 130 tackles - [player_tooltip player_id='1573579' first='Cayson' last='Schlotfeld'] ('28), Gretna - <a href="https://x.com/blitzthegame22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@blitzthegame22)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After a breakout frosh season, Gretna's [player_tooltip player_id='1573579' first='Cayson' last='Schlotfeld'] turned in an even more impressive sophomore campaign and helped the Dragons make a deep playoff run. Cayson finished fourth in the state for tackles as he racked up 130 total stops and 3.5 TFLs, a sack, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. Schlotfeld also had a bigger role on offense with 480 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17878246/6941fbe6f7465ee5b4375a58' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ee24b9fa1c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. 128 tackles - Daron Dozler ('27), Boone Central - <a href="https://x.com/DaronDozler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@DaronDozler)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Boone Central's Daron Dozler was a nice surprise on the Cardinals defense as he erupted for a top 10 finish in tackles (6th). Daron ended the year with 128 tackles, 12 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. Dozler is also set to take on a bigger role on offense after rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns last season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19754162/690ff5b11026a5d5e10eb430' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ee24b9fa51"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. 126 tackles - Henry Woita ('27), Bishop Neumann </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Bishop Neumann Cavaliers broke through this season as they captured the Class C2 state championship with rising players like sophomore Henry Woita. Henry was highly productive with 126 total tackles (7th in state), six TFLs, and a sack, with 206 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on offense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. 125 tackles - [player_tooltip player_id='1588481' first='Parker' last='Chavez'] ('27), Valentine - 5'11" 165 lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Valentine's [player_tooltip player_id='1588481' first='Parker' last='Chavez'] made sure that we don't overlook some of the ballers out in northern Nebraska with a massive junior season. Daron was everywhere for the Badger's defense with 125 tackles, 22 TFLs, five sacks, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Chavez also recorded 317 yards, 267 receiving yards, four rushing touchdowns, and three receiving touchdowns.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19145129/69460a3c915a7195b6269a54' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ee24b9fa85"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. 124 tackles - [player_tooltip player_id='1683843' first='Lucas' last='Haverty'] ('28), Gretna East - 5'11" 215 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/lucas_haverty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@lucas_haverty) </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Gretna East defense looks primed to run it back next season with key starters returning all over the field, including linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1683843' first='Lucas' last='Haverty']. Lucas had a great sophomore campaign in which he finished with 124 tackles, two TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22779119/6931c9486f3c5abdcb4121c8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ee24b9fab7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. 117 tackles - [player_tooltip player_id='1085162' first='Will' last='Manning'] ('27), Lincoln East - 6'0" 200 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/_WillManning_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@_WillManning_)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Another big season for junior [player_tooltip player_id='1085162' first='Will' last='Manning'] who ended the year as the Spartan's leading tackler (10th in the state) and continues to show why he's one of the top LB prospects in his class. Will finished the season with 117 tackles, 12 TFLs, and two fumble recoveries.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21341911/6917bf5f1e12c59908cc6fd1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697ee24b9fae7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. 114 tackles - [player_tooltip player_id='1192533' first='Cobe' last='Wells'] ('27), Broken Bow - 5'10" 165 lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1192533' first='Cobe' last='Wells'] continues to shine for the Broken Bow defense after completing back-to-back 100+ tackles seasons in two years as a starter. Cobe ended his junior campaign with 114 total tackles, two TFLs, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Cobe also recorded 105 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown on offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow <em>@PRZ_OscarG</em> for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->