2026 Linebacker Standouts Through Week 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the month of September, we are already in the sixth 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 have now turned my attention to the defensive side of the ball. With the defensive line already taken care of, here are some linebackers 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":["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-68d1a799f0460"} --> <!-- 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 off to a very strong start to his senior year. He lines up at inside linebacker where he has been dominant against the run. Campbell does a great job of reading the play quickly then coming downhill to meet the ball carrier in the gap before they can get going. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he is a very reliable tackler, currently leading his team with 51 tackles along with six tackles for loss in five games. He has also proven to be reliable as a blitzer in passing situations, accounting for two sacks so far this season. Cohen currently holds offers from Murray State and Georgetown, 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":["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-68d1a799f04ff"} --> <!-- 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 off to a very impressive start to his senior season as he currently leads the entire state with 84 tackles through the first five weeks of the season. Highley lines up at inside linebacker where he does a great job of reading his keys then using his speed to come downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle and not allow any extra yards to be gained. He has also accounted for 10.5 tackles for loss and one sack as a senior. Highley doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely 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":["1706059"],"_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-68d1a799f0585"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1706059' first='Simon' last='Rickman'] has played a key role in Murray's undefeated start to their season. He lines up at outside linebacker where he has been very impressive against the run. Rickman diagnoses the play quickly then has shown the strength to fight through blocks on his way to the ball carrier. He is a very reliable open field tackler, leading his team with 67 tackles in five games this season. Rickman has also come away with three sacks and has made an impact on offense this season, running the ball 24 times for 176 yards and five touchdowns. Simon currently holds offers from Muskingum and Bethel (TN), 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":["1517151"],"_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-68d1a7f3078c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1517151' first='Robert' last='Magalong'] caught my attention during the camp circuit this offseason and has continued to impress as a senior. He lines up at outside linebacker where he does a great job defending the run. Magalong finds the ball carrier quickly then uses his closing speed to get to them before they can get going. He is a very reliable tackler, currently leading his team with 38 tackles and seven tackles for loss through five games. Robert has also come away with six sacks and proven to be reliable dropping into pass coverage this season. He also plays a role on offense, running the ball seven times for 72 yards so far this season. Magalong currently holds an offer from Judson and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1175823"],"_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-68d1ac39111c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175823' first='Donee' last='Sutton'] has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. He lines up at outside linebacker where he is very disruptive off the edge, whether it is against the run or as a pass rusher. Sutton is very explosive out of his stance and uses his speed to burst into the backfield before opposing offensive tackles have a chance to get there. He does a great job of finishing once he gets to the ball carrier/quarterback, leading his team with 31 tackles along with 12 tackles for loss and five sacks through the first five weeks of the season. Donee has also scored one rushing touchdown this season. Sutton currently holds an offer from Pikeville and I expect more to come his way during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971508"],"_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-68d1b2278f80a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971508' first='Isaac' last='Estrada'] has been a key addition to the Collins defense after transferring from Shelby County for his senior year. Through five games, Estrada leads the team with 68 tackles. Estrada lines up at inside linebacker where he does a great job of reading his keys effectively. Once he sees where the ball is going, he uses his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle in the open field. Isaac has also accounted for four tackles for loss so far this season. Estrada doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches 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":["773225"],"_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-68d1b2278f8ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The final 2026 linebacker in the state of Kentucky who has stood out to me so far this season is [player_tooltip player_id='773225' first='Jake' last='Crump']. Crump has lined up mainly at inside linebacker this season but he has shown the ability to play off the edge as well. Jake is explosive out of his stance against the run, showing the ability to use his speed to shoot through the gaps and meet the ball carrier before they can get going. He does a great job of running his feet through contact to secure the tackle quickly, leading his team with 48 tackles along with five tackles for loss through five games. Crump has also played a key role on offense this season, running the ball 47 times for 468 yards and seven touchdowns while also catching six passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Jake currently holds offers from Sewanee and Hanover, and I expect more to come his way as he has the versatility to play multiple positions at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->