2026 Rankings Update 3.0: 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":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66abe1da5fd67"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the month of July is coming to a close, the 2024 high school football season is almost here! With that in mind, another round of rankings updates is currently in progress. After already covering the class of 2025, we have now moved on to the class of 2026 with a new Top 150 update being officially posted. Now that this update has been published, I will be taking the next week or so to break down the 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 linemen already being taken care of, here 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":["1175788"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66abe1da61450"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175788' first='Karsten' last='Busch'] is a player who has quickly climbed up our rankings this offseason. He has been very impressive in the camp circuit this summer and also put together some solid sophomore year film. Busch lines up at inside linebacker where he has shown the ability to read his keys then use his speed to flow to the ball carrier in a hurry to make tackles against the run. He has also shown the ability to be used in blitz packages, timing his blitzes perfectly to burst through the gap before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to react. Karsten currently holds offers from Kentucky, Cincinnati, Wake Forest, Louisville, Purdue, and Bucknell, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 4 caliber prospect with two years to continue to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66abe1da614a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971511' first='Mac' last='Darland'] is a player who has stayed consistently on our radar over the past couple years. He had a strong sophomore season at outside linebacker, finishing the year with 78 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in 13 games. Darland has a true nose for the football, reading the play quickly then flowing to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency to make the tackle. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, both as a rusher and in coverage, finishing his sophomore year with four sacks and an interception. Darland doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on heading into his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840738"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66abe1da614e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='840738' first='Wyatt' last='Raney'] is another 2026 linebacker who has been high on our radar for a while now. He is coming off a strong sophomore year, finishing with 102 tackles, six tackles for loss, and one sack. Raney has shown the versatility to play both inside and outside linebacker, and he is very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys and coming downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact, not allowing for any extra yards to be gained. Wyatt doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and should be a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401705"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66abe1da61527"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401705' first='Eli' last='Hampton'] is a linebacker who jumped onto our radar with an impressive sophomore season. He lines up at middle linebacker where he is used very frequently in blitz packages. Hampton times his blitzes perfectly to shoot through the gap with a full head of steam before the opposing offensive line can react. He has also shown the ability to use his speed to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field, as well as drop into coverage efficiently against the pass. Eli doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should keep any eye on over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971527"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66abe1da61566"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five linebackers in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='971527' first='Stryker' last='Davidson']. Davidson is coming off a solid sophomore season in which he finished with 100 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in 10 games. He has shown the ability to play both inside and outside linebacker, and is very reliable against the run. Stryker does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his speed to flow to the ball and run right back opposing offensive linemen on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. Davidson has also shown the ability to make plays in pass coverage, finishing last season with two interceptions. Stryker doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect a lot of eyes to be on him after transferring from Montgomery County to George Rogers Clark for his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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='1099757' first='Cage' last='Fannin'] (Fern Creek)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='283962' first='Dalton' last='Matney'] (Johnson Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='283979' first='Will' last='Steger'] (Montgomery County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='335123' first='Logan' last='Smith'] (Calloway County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='401697' first='Cooper' last='Mobley'] (Caldwell County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='283959' first='Chapman' last='Russell'] (Christian Academy of Louisville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='1176976' first='Ahmari' last='Alexander'] (Trigg County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='1170198' first='Tucker' last='Evans'] (Covington Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->