2026 Rankings Update 4.0: Defensive New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another season of high school football behind us in the state of Kentucky, it is time to move forward with another round of rankings updates. The most recent class that we have now updated in the class of 2026. After already covering the top players and some stock risers in the class, I wanted to take some time to highlight some of the new names who made the jump into our rankings in the recent update. With the offensive side of the ball already being covered, here are some new additions to our rankings for the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1506776"],"_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-6790191a1f723"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1506776' first='Wyatt' last='Highley'] is a player who jumped onto my radar with a very strong junior year. Highley lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then coming downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Highley runs his feet through contact to secure the tackle and not allow for any extra yards to be gained. Wyatt finished his junior year with a team-high 181 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in 14 games. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing the season with 2.5 sacks and one interception. Highley doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should have on their radar 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":["1562071"],"_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-6790191a1f78b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1562071' first='Logan' last='Stumbo'] is another inside linebacker who caught my attention this past season. Stumbo was dominant against the run, showing the ability to read his keys then use his speed to get to blow right by opposing offensive linemen to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Stumbo has proven to be a very reliable open field tackler, finishing his junior year with a team-leading 158 tackles and 31 tackles for loss in 12 games. He also finished the season with two sacks and came away with one interception. Logan doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to watch heading into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584363"],"_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-679019d80fdda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1584363' first='Bo' last='Gay'] played a key role in Ryle's run to the 6A State Championship Game this past season. Gay lined up off the edge where he was very impressive as a pass rusher. He was able to use his speed and bend to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Bo finished his junior year with nine sacks in 15 games. He also showed the ability to use his high motor to run sideline to sideline to make tackles against the run, finishing the year with 42 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Gay doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should keep their eyes on 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":["1236577"],"_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-67901bd90bf14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1236577' first='Xander' last='Contreras'] is another edge defender who stood out to me as a junior. Contreras was very reliable against the run, showing the ability to shed blocks quickly then use his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has proven to be a very reliable open field tackler. Contreras finished his junior year with 72 tackles and one tackle for loss in 11 games. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the year with two sacks. Xander currently holds offers from John Melvin, Minnesota North College Vermillion, and Roseville, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584302"],"_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-67901bd90bf8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final new addition in the rankings update for the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky who stood out to me this past season is [player_tooltip player_id='1584302' first='Nolan' last='Winstead']. Winstead lined up at corner where he was very impressive in man coverage. He does a great job of opening up and running with receivers to mirror their routes, staying in their hip pocket the whole way. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown the ability to react with perfect timing to make a play, finishing this past season with one interception and several pass breakups in 12 games. He also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the season with 35 tackles and one tackle for loss. Nolan doesn't currently hold any offers but I could see some coming his way going into his senior year as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->