2026 Rankings Update 2.0: Linebackers

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2496","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642888c6fe08"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the 2024 high school football offseason in the state of Kentucky, it is time for another round of rankings updates. The updated Top 150 player rankings for the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky has been officially published! With that being said, I wanted to take the next week or so to break down these rankings by position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I have now turned my attention to the defensive side of the ball. With the defensive line out of the way, here are our top linebackers in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971511"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='971511' first='Mac' last='Darland'] has continued to establish himself as the top linebacker in the state in his class. Darland lines up at outside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading the play and using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry and make the tackle before they can get going. Mac finished this past season with 78 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in 13 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the year with four sacks and an interception. Mac doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received a lot of college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6642888c731f0"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Players Included in Top 150:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1176935' first='Brady' last='Wasik'] (Lexington Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='971508' first='Isaac' last='Estrada'] (Shelby County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='1175788' first='Karsten' last='Busch'] (Saint Xavier)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='1099757' first='Cage' last='Fannin'] (Fern Creek)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='283962' first='Dalton' last='Matney'] (Johnson Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='283979' first='Will' last='Steger'] (Montgomery County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='335123' first='Logan' last='Smith'] (Calloway County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='401697' first='Cooper' last='Mobley'] (Caldwell County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='283959' first='Chapman' last='Russell'] (Christian Academy of Louisville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='1176976' first='Ahmari' last='Alexander'] (Trigg County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='1170198' first='Tucker' last='Evans'] (Covington Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. [player_tooltip player_id='1176926' first='Michael' last='Hammonds'] (Logan County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. [player_tooltip player_id='971512' first='Caden' last='Caldwell'] (Leslie County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->