2026 Rankings Update 6.0: LB

<!-- 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-6875ccca852c8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head deeper into the month of July, the 2025 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, we have entered a new round of rankings updates in the state of Kentucky, with the class of 2026 being the latest class to be updated. Now that these rankings have been posted, I have been breaking down our updated Top 275 by position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I have now turner my attention to the defensive side of the ball. With the defensive line and edge defenders already taken care of, here 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-6875cdc2b2c0e"} --> <!-- 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 established himself as one of the top players in the state over the past couple seasons. As a junior, he lined up mainly at outside linebacker but he has shown the versatility to play inside as well. He is very impressive against the run, showing the ability to use his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry before the opposing offensive line has a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler in the open field, finishing this past season with 59 tackles and 12 tackles for loss in 12 games. He has also proven to be an effective pass rusher off the edge, finishing his junior year with seven sacks. Busch is committed to Louisville where I can see him becoming a key piece of their defense once he gets there.</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-6875cfae25d3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='283969' first='Jackson' last='Settle'] had a breakout year as a junior. He lined up at inside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run, leading his team with 85 tackles and 19 tackles for loss in 14 games. Settle lines up at inside linebacker where he does a great job of reading his keys quickly then flowing to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency, taking great angles so there is no chance for the ball carrier to cut back. He has also proven to be a reliable blitzed, timing the snap count perfectly to burst into the backfield before the opposing offensive line can react. Settle finished his junior year with five sacks and several quarterback pressures. Jackson currently holds multiple Division I offers and I expect him to be a productive player wherever he decides 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":["1706076"],"_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-6875cfae25dd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1706076' first='Cohen' last='Campbell'] is a player who grabbed my attention when breaking down junior year film. Campbell lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of diagnosing the play quickly then flowing to the ball in a hurry. Once he gets to the ball carries, Cohen explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Campbell finished last season with a team-high 85 tackles along with four tackles for loss in 10 games. He also recorded one sack as a junior. Cohen currently holds an offer from Murray State 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":["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-6875d0e484842"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971511' first='Mac' last='Darland'] has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a junior. Darland lines up at inside linebacker where he is at his best against the run. Mac does a great job of read his keys then flowing to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency, fighting through any blockers in his path. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Darland does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle and not allow for any extra yards to be gained. Mac finished his junior season with 79 tackles and two tackles for loss in 14 games. Darland also finished last year with one sack and made an impact on offense at running back, carrying the ball 49 times for 331 yards and six touchdowns. Mac doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </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-6875d1d913546"} --> <!-- 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']. Montez has impressive very, showing the ability to play both inside linebacker and off the edge. When playing off the edge, Trussell is a dangerous pass rusher, using his bend and speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles with ease on his way to the quarterback. Trussell finished his junior year with 16 sacks in 15 games. He was also dominant against the run, showing the ability to read the play quickly the use his speed to get to the running back before anyone had a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Trussell has proven to be a very reliable tackler, finishing this past season with a team-leading 121 tackles and 27.5 tackles for loss in 15 games. Montez currently holds an offer from Georgetown (KY) and I expect a lot of eyes to be on him heading into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->