2029 Rankings Release: LB

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2029","_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-69962187f2748"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the 2026 high school football offseason, we are wrapping up our latest round of rankings update. To finish off the rankings update, we have a new class rankings release! Our debut Top 100 rankings for the class of 2029 in the state of Kentucky has been officially posted. With these rankings being released, I have been taking the past few weeks to break 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 2029 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665532"],"_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-699629090ce08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665532' first='Maddix' last='Vaughn'] had a very impressive first season of high school football. He proved to be a versatile linebacker who can play both inside and outside the box. Vaughn is dominant against the run, showing the ability to read his keys and react quickly to flow 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, leading his team with 155 tackles along with 10 tackles for loss in 11 games as a freshman. He also finished the year with one interception. Maddix is a player who college coaches should definitely be keeping a close eye on over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668609"],"_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-69962d0eddf99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1668609' first='Braiden' last='Ford'] is another linebacker who made a huge impact as a freshman. Ford lined up at middle linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He diagnoses the play quickly then uses his speed to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency. Ford is a very reliable tackler once he gets to the ball carrier, leading Danville with 126 tackles along with five tackles for loss in 12 games this past season. He also showed the ability to make plays against the pass, recording three sacks and coming away with one interception, which he returned for a touchdown, as a freshman. Ford also made an impact on offense, scoring two rushing touchdowns. Braiden recently picked up his first offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way over the next three seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662580"],"_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-69962ded0b9c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1662580' first='Jackson' last='Marlow'] is a player who stood out to me when breaking down freshman year film. He lined up at inside linebacker where he proved to be very reliable against the run. Marlow reads the play quickly then comes downhill in a hurry to meet the ball carrier before they can get going. He does a great job of finishing the tackle quickly, not allowing any extra yards to be gained. Marlow finished this past season with 32 tackles and three tackles for loss in 13 games. He also recorded one sack as a freshman. Marlow will be a player to keep an eye on moving forward as his role in the Corbin defense continues to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1287261"],"_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-69962ec9dfe1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1287261' first='Bryson' last='Ford'] is another inside linebacker who caught my attention as a freshman. He is at his best against the run, showing the ability to read his keys quickly then react accordingly. Ford has shown the speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry along with the strength to fight through blocks with ease on his way there. He is a very reliable open field tackler, finishing this past season with 74 tackles and seven tackles for loss in nine games. Ford should be a player worth keeping an eye on as he continues to develop over the next few seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136988"],"_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-699630169e60f"} --> <!-- 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 2029 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1136988' first='Eric' last='Forney Jr.'] Eric lines up at inside linebacker where he is at his best against the run. He has a nose for the football, showing the ability to read the play and find the ball carrier quickly. Once he sees where the ball carrier is going, he uses his strength to shed blocks with ease then uses his speed to get to them with a sense of urgency. He is a very good tackle in the open field, finishing his freshman year with 52 tackles and two tackles for loss in 13 games. Forney Jr. also showed the ability to get to the quarterback, recording 3.5 sacks as a freshman. Eric will be a player to keep an eye on moving forward as he continues to grow and develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->