Tackling Machines: Most Tackles Returning in 2026

*Grab your deal of the summer! Code Johnson30 saves you 30% on a PRZ subscription*   We are knocking on the door of the 2026 season. Teams are hard at work in the weight room and on the field doing their best to be ready to hit the ground running when Week 1 rolls around. The features of our article today are going to be doing their best to make sure opposing teams don't get too far, though. Today we are going to take a look at who the most productive tacklers are from across the state. We are going to take a look at the numbers and then dive into the tape to get a glimpse of what we can expect, or better, this fall. I can't wait for the season to roll around and watch these athletes try to best their previous numbers, but until then let's kill some time with a look at this group of athletes!    Stat Line: 172 Tackles, 6 TFLs   What a year for the sophomore out of Chippewa Falls. If the ball was snapped vs the Chippewa Falls defense, then the odds were strong that [player_tooltip player_id='2112361' first='Ryan' last='Zenner'] would be the one to bring down the ball carrier. Nobody was better at finding the football and diagnosing plays than Ryan was in 2025. His speed gives him range to get involved in the tackle no matter where the football is. He is a stout tackler, and is effective when attacking downhill on blitzes. I can't wait to see what Ryan does in his junior season as he attempts to chase down that 172 number.     Stat Line: 127 Tackles, 2 TFLs   This was my first look into the small school ILB out of Webster. The small school product is an undersized LB, but as you can see by the production that hasn't slowed him down. The '27 does really well with his play through traffic. He is able to avoid blocks and keep himself clean without sacrificing ground to the opposition. There always seems to be a couple small school products that produce at a crazy level. We will see if Jacob can repeat his efforts this fall.     Stat Line: 126 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Sack   I love the way Will plays at LB and have been a fan since he hit our radar as a freshman. The LB/S hybrid athlete is a heat seeking missile, covering ground and laying the wood on some big hits. The range that Will plays with is a major strength to his game. It allows him to get anywhere on the field on time to make a play. The '27 athlete is a fearless tackler who has the strength to end forward momentum when he makes contact. Range, physicality, and instincts come together in a versatile package with the Greendale 2027.     Stat Line: 125 Tackles, 9 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks   Safe to say Keaton is going to be a big riser this summer during our update. The Badgers commit was a high level producer on both sides of the football. He brings peak size, strength, athleticism, and instincts to the LB position. The combination allows Keaton to get involved in seemingly every stop for the Amery defense. He is so quick to shed blocks and overall can maneuver through the trash in the front seven and close on the ball with bad intentions. The future Badgers LB is going to end his high school career with an unforgettable season and then I can't wait to see how he develops in Madison.     Stat Line: 119 Tackles, 16 TFLs, 6 Sacks   Waterford's [player_tooltip player_id='1733905' first='John' last='Cramer'] is a massive steal at the LB position. He is a monster in the middle of the Waterford defense. John has a strong frame, yet has a ton of room to continue to fill out and get even more stronger. That will only increase the violence he plays with too. From big hits to being able to quickly get off the block of an OL. John is at his best coming downhill with a head of steam ready to stuff the run game. Paired with all the physical tools is a high football IQ that does really well reading pulling linemen and diagnosing plays. Cramer is an intriguing talent that is also producing at a very high level. Don't miss on the 2027!     Stat Line: 118 Tackles, 16 TFLs, 7 Sacks   This might be a first. The same athlete mentioned in back to back articles. Mason already was apart of our sack artists article, and now he is back for his ability to pile up the tackles. Mason actually just hit our radar and while we might be late to the party I am ready to push this kid into the spotlight as much as I can. He has a rare frame and his talent is even more rare because of how fluid, fast, and versatile he is as a 6'4" 190 lbs LB. The kid is literally all over the field making plays. This is a special talent that holds a couple offers, but is deserving of many more. Get your eyes on this kid while he is still uncommitted!     Stat Line: 116 Tackles, 22 TFLs, 2.5 Sacks   Next up we have an 8 man standout who not only dominated with his LB production, but also was the team's QB. Playing both ways, and having those roles, has definitely boosted Cooper's football IQ. He processes and attacks quicker than the rest of the guys around him. The 2027 LB flashes the power to shrug off linemen and he will lay the boom on ball carriers when he gets the chance. A small school athlete to take a look at for the WIAC schools.     Stat Line: 114 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 Sack   Another two way impact athlete is Iowa- Grant's RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2239009' first='Cole' last='Schauff']. The 5'8" 200 lbs athlete piled up a lot of his production providing run support from his safety spot. He is quick to close with his burst of acceleration. The '28's speed stands out from the crowd. He has the range to make stops near the line of scrimmage after not only coming from 10+ yards off the line, but also after slicing through traffic. Cole has a knack for finding the paths of least resistance vs the run game. The 2026 Iowa- Grant team should be one of the better small school teams with the 27/28 talent they have.     Stat Line: 112 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack   Arguably the #1 uncommitted LB in the Class of 2027 here in WI is the De Pere Redbird. Cayden checks the boxes of a high end ILB. Size at 6'1" 220 lbs, physicality to be able to manhandle OL in the trenches and still get to the football, speed to roam sideline to sideline, and most importantly high level football IQ to understand down and distance/tendancies/and diagnose plays very early in the play. Cayden also verifies his talents with years of high level production including multiple 20 tackle games. The 2027 LB is a special, special talent and needs to be recruited.     Stat Line: 111 Tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 Sacks   We have come across a few Wilmot Union defenders this summer that have made an impression on us. We are back with another one in [player_tooltip player_id='2239013' first='Jax' last='Kibler'] who piled up the tackles in 2025. Jax is a hybrid LB/DB that you will find primarily getting involved in the box and helping provide stout run support. It stands out on tape how well Jax is able to move through traffic untouched to get to the football for tackles. Even while not being the biggest athlete, Jax also does really well with his tackles completely killing forward progression. I'm intrigued by this Wilmot defense in 2026.     Stat Line: 109 Tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 Sacks   We end with a fun one. The Marshfield LB plays with his hair on fire. He flies around the field at 100 mph, throwing his weight around and piling up tackles. Even while not being the biggest athlete the '27 LB is fearless while playing between the tackles in run support. Watching him close downhill compared to the rest of the defense is eye opening as he bursts to top speed within a couple strides. Wes turns that speed into power when needed to make stops or shed a block too. The central WI '27 LB is someone to take note of heading into 2026.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Top Tacklers to Know</h2>    Stat Line: 120 Tackles 20 TFLs, 1.5 Sacks     Stat Line: 113 Tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 Sacks     Stat Line: 13 Tackles, 8 TFLs, 3 Sacks     Stat Line: 111 Tackles, 7 TFLs, 1 Sack     Stat Line: 110 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 2 Sacks

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