2026 Indiana Preview: Breaking Down Returning Tackling Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football season is ramping up soon, and we take a look today at the top returning players in Indiana by tackles as we head into the 2026 season. These four prospects are must-know names as they enter their senior years, and big things are expected of them this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1015481"],"_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-6a51a7a8962fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">South Putnam linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1015481' first='Keenan' last='Mowery']-Shields was one of the top tacklers in the country last year, racking up an eye-popping 251 tackles and 5.5 sacks to boot last season. Constantly around the football, Mower-Shields is very instinctive, fast, flows to the ball and possesses great range. South Putnam's chances to return to Lucas Oil Stadium to defend their state title will be huge with him coming back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539229"],"_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-6a51a7a896377"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">
It's hard not to like linebackers who play with a chip on their shoulders. [player_tooltip player_id='1539229' first='Isaiah' last='Young'] may only be 5-foot-9, 191 pounds but he plays like a prospect with something to prove. Strong open-field tackler with great instincts and a nose for the ball, Young ranked third in the state last year in tackles with 168. Expect a big season for Lapel, and him, this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2245671,"_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-6a51a7a8963d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matthew “Chewie” Walters is a big returning starter for Twin Lakes who is constantly around the ball on defense and special teams. Very strong straight-line speed and instincts on kickoff coverage, where he can deliver big hits and takes great angles to the ball. As an inside linebacker, he is a tremendous open-field tackler who can make countless open-field tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Very under-the-radar Class of 2027 prospect who was fifth in the state last year with 160 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1128491"],"_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-6a51a7a89642b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1128491' first='Parker' last='Welker'] out of Greencastle runs around like a one-man wrecking ball on defense. Blessed with great sideline-to-sideline range and top instincts, Welker takes great angles to the ball and is very good v. The run. He can be a nightmare for quarterbacks, too, having recorded five sacks last year. Very good pursuit off the backside and accelerates to ballcarriers well. He finished seventh in the state last season in tackles with 158.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->