2026 Rankings Update 5.0: 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":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68104b5ee4587"} /--> <!-- 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 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 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-68104b5ee5da2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175788' first='Karsten' last='Busch'] has continued to establish himself as one of the top overall players in the state in his class over the past couple seasons. He has shown the versatility to play both inside and outside linebacker but lined up mainly on the outside as a junior. Busch is very impressive against the run, diagnosing the play quickly then using his speed to burst into the backfield and make the tackle before the ball carrier can get going. He finished his junior year with 59 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 12 games. Busch also showed the ability to rush the passer off the edge, finishing the season with seven sacks. He has also shown the ability to drop into coverage and defend the pass. Karsten is committed to Louisville where I can see him developing into 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":["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-68104b5ee5dfa"} --> <!-- 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 has been quickly climbing up our rankings over the past year. Settle had an outstanding junior season at inside linebacker, leading his team with 85 tackles and 19 tackles for loss in 14 games. He does a great job of reading his keys then flowing to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency and is a very reliable open field tackler once he gets there. Jackson has also shown the ability to time the snap count perfectly and shot through his gap as a blitzer to put pressure on the quarterback, finishing this past season with five sacks. Settle currently holds offers from Appalachian State, Gardner Webb, Southern Mississippi, and Presbyterian, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Divsion I caliber prospect. </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-68104b5ee5e5e"} --> <!-- 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 high on our radar for a while now. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. Darland reads his keys and flows to the ball quickly, taking great angles on his way to eliminate any chance for a cut back lane. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has proven to be a very good open field tackler, finishing this past season with 79 tackles and two tackles for loss in 14 games. He also recorded one sack as a junior and made an impact on offense, carrying the ball 49 times for 331 yards and six touchdowns. Mac doesn't currently hold any offers but I can see some coming 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-68104b5ee5ea3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1211382' first='Montez' last='Trussell'] was one of the most productive linebackers in the state this past season, finishing the year with a team-high 121 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks in 15 games. He has shown the versatility to play both off the edge and at inside linebacker. When playing off the edge, he is a dangerous pass rusher, using his explosive speed and bend to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. At inside linebacker, he is dominant against the run, reading his keys then exploding downhill to meet the ball carrier in the gap to make the tackle before they can get going. Trussell 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":["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-68104b5ee5ee4"} --> <!-- 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='1506776' first='Wyatt' last='Highley']. Highley lines up at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run, finishing this past season with a team-leading 181 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in 14 games. He does a great job of reading his keys quickly then filling the gap to make the tackle before the ball carrier can get into the second level. Highley also finishing this past season with 2.5 sacks and showed the ability to drop into coverage and make plays against the pass, coming away with one interception. Wyatt doesn't currently hold any offers but he should definitely be a player to keep a close eye on this upcoming season as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->