2026 Defensive Line Standouts Through Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the month of September, we are already in the fifth week of the high school football regular season in the state of Kentucky. With that in mind, I wanted to highlight some seniors at each position who have stood out so far in their final season. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I will now turn my attention to the defensive side of the ball, starting with some defensive linemen in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky who have stood out so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401709"],"_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-68cc738c73da1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401709' first='Jackson' last='Whitten'] has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out as a senior. Whitten lines up at defensive end where he is very disruptive against the run. He uses his speed to blow by opposing offensive linemen with ease on his way to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he has proven to be a very reliable tackler, leading his team with 21 tackles and 14 tackles for loss through three games this season. Whitten has also shown the ability to bull rush straight through opposing offensive linemen as a pass rusher to get to the quarterback in a hurry. He has accounted for three sacks so far this season. Jackson currently holds multiple Division I offers and I expect more to come his way throughout his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1634711"],"_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-68cc748f4dfff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1634711' first='Ashton' last='Rodgers'] has caught my attention with a strong start to his senior year. He is a versatile defensive lineman, showing the ability to play both end and tackle. As a pass rusher, Rodgers explodes out of his stance and uses his speed to blow by opposing offensive linemen with ease on his way to the quarterback. He has 4.5 sacks through the first four weeks. Against the run, he does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his high motor to run sideline to sideline to make tackles in the open field. Ashton has accounted for 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles so far this season. Rodgers currently holds offers from Kentucky Wesleyan and Georgetown (KY), and I can see more coming his way soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401711"],"_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-68cc76231951c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401711' first='Jakob' last='Bartley'] jumped onto my radar as a junior and has continued to impress this season. Bartley lines up at defensive end where he is reliable both against the run and as a pass rusher. He is very explosive out of his stance and uses his speed to his advantage to burst into the backfield before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Bartley does a great job of running his feet through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Through four games, Bartley has accounted for 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Bartley currently holds offers from Thomas More, Muskingum, Colby, Pikeville, and Hanover, and I expect that list to continue to grow this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1590575"],"_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-68cc762319584"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1590575' first='Marveen' last='Moise'] caught my attention during the camp circuit and has continued to impress as a senior. Moise lines up at defensive tackle where he is dominant against the run. He has the strength to fight through blocks with ease along with the speed to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Moise is a very good open field tackler. Moise has 31 tackles and 17 tackles for loss through four games this season. He has also shown the ability to use his speed to shoot through his gap before opposing offensive linemen can block him as a pass rusher, and does a great job of finishing at the quarterback once he gets there, accounting for six sacks so far this season. Marveen doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player who college coaches should be paying close attention to this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1282717"],"_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-68cc77c89f8ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The final 2026 defensive lineman in the state of Kentucky who has stood out to me so far this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1282717' first='Ke'avian' last='Massey']. Massey has impressive versatility, showing the ability to play both defensive end and tackle. He is very reliable against the run, showing the strength to shed blocks quickly followed by the speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry. Massey has proven to be a good open field tackler once he gets to the ball carrier, accounting for 11 tackles and two tackles for loss in the first four games this season. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer as he has two sacks so far this season. Massey currently holds an offer from Ottawa 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 -->