Some of SEKY’s Top Rising 2026 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With school years winding down and summer camp/combine season fast approaching, it seems the appropriate time to begin assessing the most promising performers in the 2026 class and making sure fans, coaches and followers are aware of these rising stars! Last fall, as mere freshmen, these eastern Kentucky performers made impressive contributions to their varsity team's fortunes in a variety of eye-opening ways, and with three full seasons still to play, their developing skills, experience and achievements are sure to boost their respective teams' outlooks for increased success this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='959029' first='Chance' last='Amburgey']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Knott County Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This returning sophomore's diverse athleticism makes him well-suited to play any number of positions offensively, as evidenced by both his passing and receiving statistics. Completing 4 of 5 pass attempts for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns in 8 games, he also hauled in 23 catches for 486 yards (over 21 yards per catch) and 6 trips to the end zone. Typically aligning opposite the formation's passing strength as a single, isolated receiver, he enlists an efficient take-off, firm plant step and aggressive inside cut that affords him a very effective slant route. As well, he impressively extends to meet ball at highest point even on inside routes, sustains and runs through initial contact and finished runs after the catch with above average speed and perceptive vision. Also a reliable and active defensive performer primarily at cornerback, he completed his freshman season with 29 solo tackles and 14 assists.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["773227"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Few first-year offensive performers in the region ultimately matched the contributions made by Gibson in his first year of high school competition. Most often aligning as the single running back in the Bobcats' spread formations, he exhibits the acumen, physicality and durability to provide a consistent inside running threat that forces defenses to occupy the tackle box. Carrying the ball 127 times for 770 yards and 8 touchdowns in 12 games last year, he demonstrated increasing patience and vision as the season progressed, enabling him to consistently move the chains with good forward lean, exceptional ball security and the ability to run through initial contact with defenders. Also an adept blocker and receiver, he hauled in 3 receptions last fall for 27 yards.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Shane Gibson","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Knott County Central","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"As a freshman performer last season, Gibson made considerable contributions both offensively and defensively during the Patriots' 8-game season. Aligning either as a slot or u0022holeu0022 receiver in spread formationsu002du002dand typically as an I-back in his team's 2-back sets, he demonstrates the ability to produce yards both running and receiving. Carrying the ball 53 times for 284 yards and a touchdown, he also hauled in 3 passes for another 28 yards of offense. Meanwhile, his impact defensively was even more substantial, as he collected 40 solo tackles 17 assists, 6 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Typically aligning as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 base defense, he displays consistent, efficient footwork and an aggressive, downhill path versus inside runs.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Jackson Gilliland","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Magoffin County","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Gilliland is a tall, physically mature athlete who predominantly excelled defensively last season but also clearly possesses the tools to also become a much more impactful offensive threat either as a tight end or H-back, depending on the Hornets' particular formation. Playing in all 11 varsity games of his freshman season, he hauled in 3 receptions for 29 yards as a tight end and displayed an increasing understanding of blocking schemes and consistent execution as the year progressed. Also playing an outside linebacker in his program's 4-3 defense, he produced 12 solo tackles, 34 assists and returned his lone interception 46 yards for a touchdown. While certainly still unseasoned in some ways that only additional experience can remedy, he nonetheless possesses the physical traits and competitive demeanor sure to attract next-level scouts as his career progresses.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Preston Shepherd","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Knott County Central","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Shepherd's freshman season in 2022 clearly established him as both a competitive and deceptively effective running back, as well as a fundamentally sound and durable defender. Predominantly aligning as the lone back or the fullback in 2-back sets, he carried the football 58 times for 358 yards and 6 touchdowns while also proving himself an effective receiver out of backfield with 6 receptions for 152 yards and 2 additional scores. In particular, his ability to leverage and run through initial contact accounts for his impressive averages of 6.0 yards per rush and over 25 yards per reception. Likewise, his competitiveness and high-motor make him an exceptionally active and disruptive defender from his outside linebacker position in the Patriots' 3-4 scheme. Playing in 8 games last season, he collected 36 solo tackles, 24 assists, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64594f41071ce"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->