Top Returning Sack Artists For 2026

*No better time to save on a PRZ subscription than today! Use code Johnson30 for 30% off*   As the calendar prepares to roll over to July it is hard to not get excited about the upcoming season. There is a lot to cover in preparation for the season. Rankings updates, covering the top uncommitted athletes in the state, making predictions, and figuring out who the top teams in the state might be. It is also time to identify some serious game changers when the lights turn on. One such category of game changer are the sack artists. The defenders who change the game by getting after the QB and piling up sacks, and also forcing QBs out of rhythm and speeding up the internal clock in their heads. Today we take a look at the leading sack producers from 2025 who will be back on WI HS football fields this fall! Let's get right into it!    Stat Line: 80 Tackles, 25 TFLs, 9 Sacks   I love that Deangelo is not only on this list, but leads the way with his 9 sacks returning in 2026. Not to mention that unbelievable 25 TFLs. What more can we say about the Monona Grove freak DL that we haven't already. He is a Swiss Army knife of traits built to wreck havoc on a snap to snap basis on Friday nights. He can whoop an OL with his speed and quick hands. Let him get his hands inside and Deangelo will also bull rush you until your OT is on their back. It is a special blend of explosive athleticism and violence that will be sure to dominate again this fall. I can't wait to see his production as a senior! The kid is one of the Must Watch athletes in the state. So fun to watch!     Stat Line: 105 Tackles, 20 TFLs, 9 Sacks   The top returning sack artist from the LB position is Lake Country Lutheran's [player_tooltip player_id='2238900' first='Tyson' last='Graf']. The 5'11" 205 lbs LB's junior tape shows an LB who can make plays sideline to sideline with his range. Range that is further stretched by his high level instincts and quick play recognition. Tyson has several clips from 2025 showing his ability to go make a play outside the original framework or design of the call. Tyson is always around the football, and has the athletic tools to be a player at the next level with his 33" vertical, 9'2" broad jump, and 4.54 shuttle.     Stat Line: 59 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 9 Sacks   Next up we head north to Siren, an 8 Man football team, and their DL [player_tooltip player_id='2238869' first='Carmine' last='Songetay']. The 5'10" DL plays on the nose a ton for Siren, and usually is the only athlete with his hand in the dirt. The undersized 2027 has found a way to consistent success based off the production and tape. He uses his hands, has quick feet to be able to move laterally to get off blocks, and he has that nasty mentality that you need to survive and make a difference in the trenches. You can't argue with his motor as he flies around the field too.     Stat Line: 41 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 8.5 Sacks   I was lucky enough to get to watch Colton work during the Eau Claire Big Man Camp. The 2027 DE/Edge has elite length for the position and a frame that is ready and begging for a surplus of weight and muscle to be added onto his frame between this year and in a college weight room. The long and lean DE has the length, first step, and hand use to win with his hand in the dirt. He also flashes the athleticism and range to chase down plays out in the flats. It is an intriguing ball of clay here with the Manitowoc Lincoln standout defender. Keep an eye on the uncommitted 2027 as he tries to top his numbers from last year.     Stat Line: 63 Tackles, 11 TFLs, 8.5 Sacks   Unfortunately for college football coaches, Reed is off the market as he has committed to wrestle at Utah Valley. Lucky for us WI HS football fans, we get to watch him ball out one more time. I love the way he plays on the edge. Reed is a hunter. He can pin his ears back and flex the burst and speed to run the loop to the QB and chase them down when they try to break contain. The strength in his frame and the firm understanding of leverage allowed him to have so much success with his hand in the dirt at his size. The kid is a menace who is sure to live in backfields again this fall.     Stat Line: 71 Tackles, 14 TFLs, 8 Sacks   We may have to cross-check some stats with 8 being the official total, but his X account lists 12. Either way the 6'2" 225 lbs 2027 DL is a force on the edge and a game changer with his impact. To start, Liam has the frame to build on. He has good weight on him, and his size doesn't limit the athletic side of his game. Speaking of that part of his game, Liam is able to launch out of his stance and shoot gaps nearly untouched on several of his stops for losses. Then a couple plays later you see him bull rush an OL into the backfield, find the ball, and shed the OL aside. He can win in multiple ways. Great to see that he earned his first offer recently from UW- Eau Claire.     Stat Line: 66 Tackles, 16 TFLs, 7.5 Sacks   Greenfield is no stranger to college worthy defensive talent. Their next one up is Zach Safka, a 2027 DL with the frame to translate to the next level. He is 6'2" 245 lbs and possesses an insane 6'7" wingspan. This kid can set the edge with the best of them. He is so stout at the point of attack and the highlights show it over and over. The '27's highlights also feature the use of that length as he always is creating space and maintaining it until he can disengage. The speed he has to chase down plays in the backfield catches you off guard too on several plays. Zach is a well rounded talent who has improved steadily over his career. I'm expecting a really strong senior season from the DL.     Stat Line: 67 Tackles, 20 TFLs, 7.5 Sacks   Next up we have one of the best edges in the Class of 2027. The Lourdes Academy edge checks the boxes. Size, length, production, high motor, explosive first step, effective hand fighting technique. He is also just about to be fully back from an offseason injury. The DE has tape highlighting his three down abilities, including that ability to get into the backfield and create chaos. Once he takes the field this fall and shows he is fully healthy I have a feeling he will be the hottest recruit on the market.     Stat Line: 118 Tackles, 16 TFLs, 7.5 Sacks   I have been sleeping on the dynamic LB out of Slinger. The OLB has prototypical length at 6'4" and easily carries 190 lbs, and I mean easily. You see on his first highlight clip he can run down RBs deep downfield with his speed and long strides. It is amazing he was able to collect 7.5 sacks because the talented OLB spends a decent amount of time in coverage and will line up over slots. His speed, hip fluidity, and length gives him the ability and cushion to run with those speedy weapons. The speed this kid brings is off the charts and his instincts are really starting to click. The 2027 LB holds a few offers, but he needs far more attention on him at this point. He is a special talent at the LB position and I can't wait to see where he debuts in our rankings. Keep a close eye on this athletic freak.     Stat Line: 60 Tackles, 15 TFLs, 7 Sacks   I love the aggressive play style that Zacchaeus brings to the field. He trusts what his eyes see and attacks downhill at 100 mph. The '27 LB is quick to close and a stout tackler. The tape shows flashes of his strength as he can muscle his way past OL or bull rush them until he finds the ball where he then can quickly shed and chase. I can see the productive LB being a target of some WIAC schools as the year rolls on and he starts putting out fresh tape this fall. I'll be watching!    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Top Sack Artists (No 2025 Film)</h2>    Stat Line: 77 Tackles, 25 TFLs, 9 Sacks     Stat Line: 56 Tackles, 20 TFLs, 8 Sacks     Stat Line: 60 Tackles, 14 TFLs, 7.5 Sacks     Stat Line: 88 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 7 Sacks

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