Lexington Linebackers to Keep an Eye on in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the month of June, the 2026 high school football season is getting closer and closer. The offseason is in full swing and players across the state of Kentucky are looking to make a name for themselves. With that being said, I wanted to take a look at the city of Lexington in particular and highlight some players at each position to keep an eye on this 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 being taken care of, here are five linebackers to watch in Lexington this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284257"],"_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-6a3c561619748"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1284257' first='Tacori' last='Fields'] has established himself as one of the top linebackers in the entire state over the past few seasons. He lines up at inside linebacker where he has proven to have a great nose for the football. Fields reads the play quickly then uses his speed to get to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency to make the tackle before they can get going. He finished his junior year with a team-high 95 tackles along with 2.5 tackles for loss in 13 games. Tacori recently committed to Marshall where I can see him having a productive collegiate career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074522"],"_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-6a3c56161978d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another member of the Frederick Douglass defense who has stood out to me is [player_tooltip player_id='2074522' first='Thurman' last='Wade']. Thurman lines up at outside linebacker where he is very effective against the run. Wade has shown the ability to read his keys quickly then once he sees where the ball is going, he is able to use his speed to run sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Wade has proven to be a very reliable open field tackler, finishing last season with 66 tackles and six tackles for loss in 13 games. He also recorded a sack as a junior. Thurman currently holds multiple Division I offers and I expect more to come his way going into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1257663"],"_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-6a3c5616197b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1257663' first='Aiden' last='Lyons'] caught my attention with a very strong junior season, playing a key role in LCA's state title run. Lyons reads his keys effectively from the inside linebacker spot then explodes downhill in a hurry once he sees where the ball is going. He has shown the ability to fight through blocks with ease on his way to the ball carrier and he does a great job of finishing the tackle quickly once he gets there. Lyons finished his junior year as his team's leading tackler with 89 along with 4.5 tackles for loss in 15 games. He also came away with an interception this past season. Aiden currently holds offers from Washington &amp; Lee, DePauw, Carleton, and Hanover, and I expect a lot of college coaches to continue to have their eyes on him this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617389"],"_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-6a3c582d04f93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1617389' first='Harrison' last='Phillips'] is a linebacker who has consistently stood out to me over the past couple seasons. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is very dependable against the run. Phillips fills his gap in a hurry once he sees where the ball is going and he uses his strength to stack/shed blocks quickly on his way to the ball carrier. Harrison is a reliable open field tackler, finishing his junior season with 57 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 10 games. He also recorded two sacks as a junior and made an impact at running back, carrying the ball 32 times for 227 yards and four touchdowns. Phillips doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have in the </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1174159"],"_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-6a3c582d04fea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final linebacker to watch in Lexington this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1174159' first='Thomas' last='Sizemore']. Sizemore is an athletic inside linebacker who has great change of direction ability and is able to use his speed to run down ball carriers all over the field. Once he gets to the ball carrier, he explodes through contact and finishes his tackles with a ton of physicality. Thomas finished this past season with 74 tackles and four tackles for loss in 12 games. Sizemore holds offers from Kentucky, Miami (OH), and Marshall, and I expect the offers to continue to pile up for him over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->