KY ‘27 Position Rankings Breakdowns: LB

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_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-6a723c7628f98"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we enter the month of August, the start of the 2026 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, we have begun a new round of rankings updates. The latest class to be updated in Kentucky is the incoming senior class of 2027. With our newest Top 250 being released for the class, I have been taking some time 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 covered, here are our top linebackers in the class of 2027 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1200577"],"_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-6a723c7629519"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200577' first='Ty' last='Ashley'] is one of the top seniors in the entire state of Kentucky. Ashley is a dominant force against the run from the inside linebacker spot. He reads the play quickly then gets downhill in a hurry to get to the ball carrier before opposing offensive linemen have a chance to block him. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Ashley runs his feet through contact to secure the tackle quickly before the ball carrier can gain much momentum. Ty had a strong junior year, recording a team-high 148 tackles along with 10 tackles for loss in 15 games. Ashley has also shown the ability to make plays against the pass, whether he is dropping into coverage or rushing the passer, finishing last season with four interceptions (tied for team lead) and three sacks. He also scored a rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown pass as a junior. Ty is committed to Kentucky where I can see him developing into a productive linebacker at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-6a7241b179bf4"} --> <!-- 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 consistently been one of the top linebackers in the state over the past couple seasons. He lines up at inside linebacker where he is very impressive against the run. Fields is explosive out of his stance and uses his closing speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle before they can get going. Tacori finished his junior year as his team's leader in tackles with 95 in 13 games along with 2.5 tackles for loss. He also recovered three fumbles, returning one of them for a touchdown. Fields is committed to Marshall where I can see him having a successful collegiate career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2084268"],"_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-6a7241b179c65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2084268' first='Micah' last='Newsome'] caught my attention with a very strong junior season. He played a key role in CAL's state title run as one of their starting inside linebackers. Newsome is at his best against the run as he does a great job of diagnosing the play quickly then using his impressive lateral movement and speed to flow sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier. Once he gets to the ball carrier, Newsome has proven to be a very reliable open field tackler, finishing last season with a team-leading 140 tackles and 19.5 tackles for loss in 15 games. He also made an impact against the pass as a junior, finishing the year with three sacks and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Micah is committed to Western Kentucky where I can see him eventually becoming a key contributor for their defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["482999"],"_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-6a724982942a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='482999' first='Gage' last='Chapman'] is a player who has been high on our radar for a while now and is coming off an impressive junior year. Chapman lines up at inside linebacker where he has proven to have a true nose for the football. Gage reads and reacts to the play quickly then flows to the ball carrier with a sense of urgency to get there before opposing offensive linemen can get their hands on him. He does a great job of exploding through contact once he gets to the ball carrier to finish the tackle quickly and with a ton of physicality. Chapman finished last season with 149 tackles in 13 games. He also recorded five sacks and an interception (returned for a touchdown) as a junior, and made an impact on offense as a running back, carrying the ball 58 times for 539 yards and nine touchdowns. Gage currently holds offers from UT-Martin and Murray State, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way this upcoming season. </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-6a72498294350"} --> <!-- 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 2027 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='2074522' first='Thurman' last='Wade']. Wade lines up at outside linebacker where he has proven to be very reliable against the run. Thurman does a great job of reading his keys quickly then using his speed to run down the ball carrier from all over the field. 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 for any extra yards to be gained. Wade finished last season with 66 tackles and six tackles for loss in 13 games. He also recorded one sack as a junior. Thurman is committed to Tiffin where I can see him making an early impact when he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->