2026 Rankings Update 4.0: Linebacker

<!-- 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-6773718244380"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another high school football season behind us in the state of Kentucky, it is time for another round of rankings updates! After wrapping up the class of 2025, we have now moved to the class of 2026. With the newest rankings update for 2026 class being officially posted, I've been taking the past couple weeks to break them down 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 and edge defenders already being taken care of, 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":["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-6773718245aad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175788' first='Karsten' last='Busch'] continued to establish himself as one of the best overall players in the state this season. Busch has shown the versatility to play both inside and outside linebacker, mainly lining up on the outside as a junior. He is very impressive against the run, showing the ability to read the play then use his speed to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle before they can get going. Karsten finished his junior year with 59 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also proved to be reliable against the pass, both as a pass rusher and in coverage, finishing the year with seven sacks and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Busch currently holds several Power 4 offers and I expect to see more come his way as he is a high-caliber linebacker prospect.</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-6773718245b05"} --> <!-- 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 a player who has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out this season. Raney lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He reads his keys quickly then explodes downhill out of his stance to meet the ball carrier and make the tackle before they can get going. Wyatt finished his junior year with 84 tackles and seven tackles for loss in eight games. He also finished the year with one interception and made an impact on offense, leading his team in rushing with 105 carries for 626 yards and eight touchdowns while also catching 19 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown, and throwing one touchdown pass. Wyatt doesn't currently hold any offers but should be a player to watch heading into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283969"],"_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-6773718245b55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='283969' first='Jackson' last='Settle'] is a player who climbed into our rankings following a strong junior year. Settle lined up at inside linebacker where he was very reliable against the run. He does a good job of reading his keys then using his speed to flow to the ball carrier in a hurry before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field. As a junior, Settle led his team with 85 tackles and 19 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also showed the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, finishing the year with five sacks. Jackson currently holds an offer from Kentucky State and I expect more to come his way heading into his final season. </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-6773718245b9d"} --> <!-- 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 linebacker who has been on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a junior. Darland lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of diagnosing the plays quickly then flowing downhill to the ball carrier. Darland has shown the speed to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. He finished his junior year with 79 tackles and two tackles for loss in 14 games. Mac also finished the season with one sack and made an impact on offense, running the ball 49 times for 331 yards and six touchdowns. Darland doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1211382"],"_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-6773718245c66"} --> <!-- 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='1211382' first='Montez' last='Trussell']. Trussell showed impressive versatility this season, showing the ability to play both inside and outside linebacker. He is dominant as a pass rusher, whether it be as a blitzer or off the edge, exploding out of his stance and using his speed to burst into the pocket before the opposing offensive line has a chance to block him. Montez finished his junior year with 16 sacks in 15 games. He was also very impressive against the run, showing the ability to use his high motor to run all over the field to make tackles. Trussell finished the season with a team-high 121 tackles and 27.5 tackles for loss. Montez doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should be paying close attention to heading into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->