Editors note: This is the sixth in the eight-part “YPS Top 40” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 40 of the top returning football players for the 2024 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 40 is an eight-story series highlight 40 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

This is the sixth story in the series and the second focusing on defensive players after Your Prep Sports looked at six of the top returning defensive linemen in the area on Friday.

Today the focus is on the linebackers and the series will continue over the next several days with looks at the top defensive backs and special teams players.

Here is a look at five of the top returning linebackers in the Your Prep Sports area.

Ben Haughey

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

In his first season as a starter Haughey was outstanding leading the Clippers in tackles while earning first-team all-district honors.

This season Haughey will look to build on his strong junior season while acting as a leader for a talented and experienced Clear Creek Amana defense that returns five of its top seven tacklers from last season.

Haughey is at the top of that list after racking up 56 tackles including a team-best 36 solo stops from his inside linebacker sport.

The 5-foot-10, 175 Haughey showed great instincts last season while making four tackles for loss including two sacks last season.

Declan Bunn

Senior, West High

The leader of the West High defense Bunn is a hard-nosed inside linebacker that emerged as a major playmaker for the Trojans last season.

In his first season as a starter Bunn ranked second on the team with 55 tackles last season and was second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Bunn brings toughness and tenacity to the Trojan defense and will look to take on a bigger leadership role this season on a West High defense that must replace three of its top four tacklers.

Last season Bunn showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time and is a strong tackler.

Cole Carney

Senior, Solon

A solid piece of a stellar Spartan linebacking group last season Carney will look to step into an even larger role this fall after earning all-state honors a year ago.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Carney was excellent as an outside linebacker last season when he racked up 22.5 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack on his way to earning Class 3A second-team all-state honors.

A hybrid linebacker in the Solon defense Carney also picked off two passes last season while helping the Spartans to a 10-2 record and a spot in the Class 3A semifinal.

Carney is the top returning tackler for a Solon squad that lost its top eight tacklers from last season to graduate and will look to take his game to another level as a defensive leader this fall.

Tate Wallace

Sophomore, Regina

One of the most impressive freshmen in the state last season Wallace is poised for a huge breakthrough in his second varsity season.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Wallace was a two-way starter last season as a freshman emerging as a playmaker on both sides of the ball while helping Regina to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Class 1A quarterfinals.

Wallace ranked second on the team with 35 receptions for 430 yards and three touchdowns as a tight end but may have even more potential on the defensive side of the ball.

As a linebacker last season Wallace racked up 22.5 tackles including 1.5 for loss and a sack and picked off a pass.

Wallace showed good burst on both sides of the ball, was physical on defense and used his length well to work in coverage.

Julian Manson

Junior, West High

One of the most versatile and intriguing prospects in the entire state Manson already holds a host of collegiate offers following a strong start to his career.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Manson has scholarship offers from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota State, Kent State and Miami (Ohio) and has demonstrated an ability to impact the game while lining up in a variety of spots across the field.

Manson played defensive back most of last season ranking fifth on the team with 31.5 tackles including three for loss to go with two interceptions.

This season Manson makes the move to linebacker where he will use his combination of athleticism, size and speed to continue to be a major factor.

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