Tanner isn’t the only standout on Hinton’s LB corps, as Jackson Kounkel also played a significant role toward helping Hinton to a state semifinal appearance last season. Kounkel recorded 65.5 tackles (52 solo), 4.5 TFLs, and 3 sacks in 2024. Kounkel has a strong upper-body frame, and he’s not a player that you want to take a hit from in this conference. Kounkel’s toughness and strong first-punch was shown as he took reps on the offensive-line for Hinton, and despite despite his size, he holds his own very well as a blocker, and those skills translate extremely well onto the defense. Kounkel and Tanner could form one of the best LB tandems in Class 1A next season that should pose as a threat for opposing offenses.