2026 Rankings Update 4.0: ATH

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2411","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6778712a8d774"} /--> <!-- 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 and defensive sides of the ball, I will now wrap up my positions rankings breakdowns for the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky with our top ATH in the class who make an impact at multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401710"],"_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-6778712a8f1ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] continued to prove that he is one of the best overall players in the state with a very strong junior year. On defense, Jacob lines up at inside linebacker where he is 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. Jacob finished his junior year with a team-high 141 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in 15 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the season with three sacks and an interception. Savage also played a huge role in Ryle's offense, leading the team in rushing with 156 carries for 1,085 yards and 22 touchdowns while also catching 29 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Jacob currently holds multiple Power 4 offers and I expect several more to come his way 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":["212336"],"_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-6778712a8f25e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='212336' first='Marlon' last='Harbin'] is a player who has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a junior. Harbin led his team in both receiving and rushing, catching 47 passes for 639 yards and six touchdowns while running the ball 123 times for 704 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. Marlon has explosive speed once he gets into the open field, showing the ability to break away for big gains with ease. He also has great contact balance as a ball carrier and is a very reliable jump ball threat as a receiver. Marlon also made an impact on defense at corner, coming away with three interceptions this season. Harbin currently holds multiple Power 4/Division I offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a very talented prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971497"],"_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-677872913b17e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971497' first='Isaiah' last='Martin'] is a player who climbed up our rankings following a very impressive junior year on both sides of the ball. On defense, Martin lines up at safety where he is reliable against both in coverage and against the run. He does a great job of dropping into coverage and reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play when it is thrown his way. Martin finishing the season with five interceptions in 11 games, returning one of them for a touchdown. He also finished the season with a half sack and showed the ability to fill the lane in a hurry to make tackles against the run, finishing the year with 103 tackles and one tackle for loss. On offense, Martin is an explosive playmaker at wide receiver, finishing his junior year with 46 receptions for 718 yards and nine touchdowns while also scoring one rushing touchdown. Martin currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as I believe he has the talent to play as high as the Power 4 level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283957"],"_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-677872913b1d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='283957' first='Cam' last='Estep'] is another 2026 ATH who has made a big jump in our rankings. He had a very impressive junior season at receiver, leading his team in receiving with 63 catches for 1,027 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. Estep is an impressive route runner, using quick breaks in his routes to create separation with ease. He is also very dangerous after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes/screens into big gains. Cam also scored two rushing touchdowns and returned one kickoff and a punt for touchdowns as a junior. He also made an impact on defense as a defensive back, finishing the year with 43 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions. Estep currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the Division I level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1314807"],"_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-67789140ab9f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five ATH in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1314807' first='Ashton' last='Drakeford']. Drakeford is an explosive playmaker on offense as he was used in many ways in the seven games he played in this season. At receiver, he is a dangerous deep threat, using his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Ashton also spent some time at quarterback, throwing for 244 yards and a touchdown while running the ball 28 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned one kickoff for a touchdown and made an impact on defense at corner, finishing the year with 30 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. Drakeford currently holds an offer from Akron and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->