2026 Rankings Update 5.0: 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-68118cdcbbec4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we near the end of April, the 2025 high school football off-season is in full swing! With that being said, we have begun another round of rankings updates for the state of Kentucky, starting with the class of 2026. Now that these rankings have been updated, I have been breaking them down by position. After already covering the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, I will wrap things up with our top ATH in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky 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-68118cdcbd913"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] has continued to prove that he is one of the top overall players in the state in his class over the past few seasons. On defense, Savage lines up at linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Jacob finished this past season with a team-leading 141 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in 15 games. He has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, finishing his junior year with three sacks and an interception. Savage also made a huge impact on offense at running back where he is a physical, downhill runner, finishing this past season with 156 carries for 1,085 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Savage is committed to Indiana where he will likely play linebacker and has the potential to become a key piece of their defense. </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-68118cdcbd97c"} --> <!-- 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 another player who has been high on our radar for a while now. He is an electric playmaker on offense, using his speed and athleticism to make a big play at any given moment. Harbin led his team in both receiving and rushing as a junior, catching 47 passes for 639 yards and six touchdowns while running the ball 123 times for 704 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. He also made an impact on defense this past season at defensive back, finishing with a team-high three interceptions. Marlon is committed to Louisville where I can see him being a true impact player at the next level. </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-68118cdcbd9c8"} --> <!-- 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 is coming off a very strong junior season. On defense, he lines up at safety where he is very reliable in coverage. Martin does a great job of reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play, finishing this past season with a team-high five interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, finishing his junior year with 103 tackles and one tackle for loss in 11 games. Isaiah also finished this past season with half a sack and made an impact on offense at receiver where he is a dangerous deep threat, finishing the year with 46 catches for 718 yards and nine touchdowns. Martin currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way 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":["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-68118cdcbda0c"} --> <!-- 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 player who had an impressive junior year. Estep is a dynamic receiver on offense where he has proven to be a skilled route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. He has also shown the speed to pose as a threat in the deep passing game. Estep finished this past season with a team-high 63 receptions for 1,027 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games while also scoring two rushing touchdowns, and returning one kickoff and a punt for a touchdown. He also played a role on defense as a safety, finishing his junior year with 43 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions. Cam currently holds offers from Marshall and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect. </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-68118cdcbda4e"} --> <!-- 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 very reliable in pass coverage on defense at corner, showing the ability to play both man and zone coverage. When the ball is thrown his way, he has shown tremendous ball skills, finishing his junior year at Mercer County with one interception and several pass breakups in seven games. He also finished the year with 30 tackles and two tackles for loss. Ashton also played a key role on offense at receiver, using his speed to break away for a big play at any given moment. He finished this past season with 12 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Drakeford also rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns, and threw for 244 yards and a touchdown. He has also proven to be an electric returner on special teams, returning one kickoff for a touchdown last season. Ashton currently holds offers from Southern Mississippi and Akron, and I expect a lot of eyes to be on him after transferring to Boyle County for his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->