Stockrisers: 2026 LB prospects to watch next season
In this article:
As the offseason continues, it’s time to take a look back at some of the best talent the Bluegrass State had to offer last year. Today, we will be looking at some of the most impressive freshmen from last season…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs the offseason continues, it’s time to take a look back at some of the best talent the Bluegrass State had to offer last year. Today, we will be looking at some of the most impressive freshmen from last season who are looking to raise their stock when football kicks back off later this year. To start things off, here’s my list of the top 2026 linebacker prospects to watch closely next season.
Highlights
Daulton Tarter Daulton Tarter 5'9" | 200 lbs | ATH Bracken County | 2026 State KY , a 5-foot-9, 196-pound linebacker out of Bracken County High School, was a crucial component to the Polar Bears’ defense during his freshman stint, leading the team in tackles, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries last year. Tarter recorded 111 total tackles, including 59 solo stops, 52 assisted takedowns and one defensive sack. Tarter additionally forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles himself. What makes Tarter such a weapon on defense is his overall speed and ability to read some of the best offenses in the state. Tarter should be an interesting defensive talent to watch in 2023 as he kicks off his sophomore year of high school football.
Isaac Estrada Isaac Estrada 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB Shelby County | 2026 State KY , a 5-foot-8, 195-pound linebacker out of Shelby County High School, made a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball last year, closing out his freshman stint as the Rockets’ leading tackler. Estrada recorded 111 total tackles, including 31 solo stops, 80 assisted takedowns and six tackles for loss. Estrada additionally hauled in four interceptions for a total of 70 yards last season. What makes Estrada so efficient is his size, speed and ability to read any offense in the state like a book. He should be an intriguing defensive talent to keep an eye on in the 2023 campaign.
Jacob Savage Jacob Savage 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Ryle | 2026 State KY , a 6-foot-1, 200-pound linebacker out of Ryle High School, was one of the most important defensive players on the Raiders’ roster last season, leading the team in both tackles and interceptions as a freshman. Savage recorded 93 total tackles, including 43 solo stops, 50 assisted takedowns, eight tackles for loss and two defensive sacks. Savage also forced one fumble and hauled in three interceptions for 60 yards. What makes Savage such a weapon on the defensive side is his overall toughness and ability to disrupt the offense with his his size and speed. Savage should be an interesting defensive talent to watch more closely in 2023.
Willem McPeake, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound linebacker out of Union County High School, was a consistent defensive contributor on the Braves’ roster as a freshman, closing out the year as the fourth-best tackler on the team. McPeake recorded 70 total tackles, including 11 solo stops, 59 assisted takedowns and two tackles for loss. McPeake additionally forced one fumble and hauled in one interception. What makes McPeake such an intriguing talent is his size, speed and ability to capitalize on offensive flaws. His previous performance makes him an interesting linebacker to keep an eye on in the 2023 season.
Highlights
Baron Hardesty Baron Hardesty 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Bullitt East | 2026 State KY , a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker out of Bullitt East High School, was a huge defensive gamechanger for the Chargers during his freshman stint last year. Hardesty recorded 30 total tackles, including 17 solo stops, 13 assisted takedowns, four tackles for loss and 2.5 defensive sacks. Hardesty additionally forced one fumble and made one fumble recovery. In addition to having great size and speed, Hardesty’s game awareness and ability to muscle through the offense to make tackles are what make him such an intriguing linebacker to watch in the 2023 season.