The 2026 TSSAA football season is already cooking with some ridiculous talent at linebacker. We're talking about a lineup of absolute studs, and you've got a chance to pick who gets crowned the top preseason guy. The Guardian Foundation Repair vote is LIVE, but don't sleep on it: you only have until noon on July 16 to get your response in. This isn't just some popularity contest; these dudes put up numbers that'd make any coach drool.
The Tackle Machines Who Dominated 2025
Gavin Self from Halls? Dude racked up an unbelievable 151 tackles last season, along with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. He's the core of the Red Devils' elite linebacker group, and that's just a bonkers stat line. Then you've got Carson Pearce, also from Halls, who was a PrepXtra First Team honoree. His 137 tackles were huge, but check out those 23 tackles for loss! Seven sacks too, plus a forced fumble. That's pure disruption right there. He's the other half of Halls' star duo. Not far behind, Johnny Rosenbalm from Carter put up 123 tackles, 21 TFL, and seven sacks, earning a PrepXtra Third Team nod. Maryville's Dax Cole also hit 123 tackles, adding 14 TFL and five sacks to lead his new trio. These guys were just everywhere on the field, huh? Jackson Coffey from Grace Christian was a PrepXtra Third Team selection himself with 106 tackles, 11 TFL, and 2.5 sacks. Landon Murphy from Sweetwater also broke the century mark with 101 tackles, plus three blocked PATs. That's some serious special teams work! Wyatt Wilber, a Minnesota commit from Maryville, also cracked 98 tackles. Mason Johnson from William Blount piled up 95 tackles and an impressive 29 quarterback pressures. That's a ton of heat on the QB! Marvin Wyrosdick from CAK also hit triple digits with 116 tackles, 11 TFL, and three sacks.The Playmakers and The Next Level Talent
When we talk playmakers, Parker Newman from Sevier County is a Duke commit and a PrepXtra Second Team selection who just does *everything*. We're talking 117 tackles, eight TFL, but then you add eight pass breakups, four interceptions, three sacks, and three defensive touchdowns. Three TDs from a linebacker? That's electric. Jennaris Henry from Alcoa is grabbing serious recruiting attention. He had 43 tackles, 7.5 TFL, and 6.5 sacks last year, with two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. He's got offers from Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Louisville, and Virginia Tech. Power Five schools are knocking! JP Peace, a Tennessee commit, transferred to Maryville from West, where he stacked up 121 tackles. Connor Wheeler from Heritage brought in two interceptions, and Jack Lister from Greeneville was solid with 13 TFL and a forced fumble. These guys aren't just making tackles; they're making game-changing plays. So, who's your pick? Is it the pure tackle machine, the guy with an eye for the end zone, or the one drawing all the big college looks? This vote is wide open, and with the deadline looming on July 16, every response counts. Get in there and support the dude you think dominated!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.