Top Kentucky Football Recruits — Class of 2026
The highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Kentucky, ranked by composite rating with stars, national and state rank, high school, and commitment status. The class is deepest at wide receiver, interior offensive lineman, running back.
Updated Jun 10, 2026All Kentucky recruits →
- Rated recruits
- 28
- Five-stars
- 0
- Four-stars
- 2
- Committed
- 6
- Uncommitted
- 22
Class year
Kentucky by Class
Top 28
Class of 2026 Kentucky Rankings
| # | Player | High School | Rating | State | Natl | Est. NIL | Committed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Karsten BuschLB · Class of 2026 | St. XavierLouisville, KY | ★★★★ | #2 | #480 | — | Uncommitted |
| 2 |  Evan HamptonRB · Class of 2026 | OwensboroOwensboro, KY | ★★★★ | #1 | #497 | — | Vanderbilt |
| 3 |  Josiah HopeDL · Class of 2026 | North HardinRadcliff, KY | ★★★ | #4 | #463 | — | Purdue |
| 4 |  Jacob SavageLB · Class of 2026 | RyleUnion, KY | ★★★ | #6 | #964 | — | Indiana |
| 5 |  Cam O'HaraQB · Class of 2026 | CooperUnion, KY | ★★★ | #5 | #1275 | — | Uncommitted |
| 6 |  Bryten CloseOT · Class of 2026 | Taylor CountyCampbellsville, KY | ★★★ | #7 | #1209 | — | Louisville |
| 7 |  Marlon HarbinWR · Class of 2026 | St. XavierLouisville, KY | ★★★ | #10 | #1230 | — | Uncommitted |
| 8 |  Sam DawsonDL · Class of 2026 | South OldhamCrestwood, KY | ★★★ | #11 | #1347 | — | Louisville |
| 9 |  Stone PerkinsCB · Class of 2026 | Christian Academy of LouisvilleLouisville, KY | ★★★ | #8 | #1706 | — | Uncommitted |
| 10 |  Corey WarnerCB · Class of 2026 | Dupont ManualLouisville, KY | ★★★ | #9 | #1800 | — | Uncommitted |
| 11 |  Isaiah JacksonRB · Class of 2026 | Rockcastle CountyMount Vernon, KY | ★★★ | #12 | #2061 | — | Uncommitted |
| 12 |  Max MerzIOL · Class of 2026 | HighlandsFort Thomas, KY | ★★★ | #15 | #1846 | — | Uncommitted |
| 13 |  Ronald LunzWR · Class of 2026 | North HardinRadcliff, KY | ★★★ | #14 | #2354 | — | Uncommitted |
| 14 |  David PellmanIOL · Class of 2026 | Dupont ManualLouisville, KY | ★★★ | #16 | #2445 | — | Uncommitted |
| 15 |  William SandfossOT · Class of 2026 | Newport Central CatholicNewport, KY | ★★★ | #13 | #2730 | — | Uncommitted |
| 16 |  Hank JamesS · Class of 2026 | Paducah TilghmanPaducah, KY | ★★★ | #19 | #1950 | — | Uncommitted |
| 17 |  Easton JointerS · Class of 2026 | Brentwood AcademyBowling Green, KY | ★★★ | #76 | #2029 | — | Uncommitted |
| 18 |  Jay'Quan CrawfordRB · Class of 2026 | Franklin CountyFrankfort, KY | ★★★ | #18 | #2462 | — | Uncommitted |
| 19 |  Jerrick MartinWR · Class of 2026 | GlasgowGlasgow, KY | ★★★ | #17 | #2636 | — | Uncommitted |
| 20 | Chayce BurtonRB · Class of 2026 | Louisville MaleLouisville, KY | ★★★ | #21 | #2585 | — | Uncommitted |
| 21 |  Jahbarri FrostDL · Class of 2026 | TrinityLouisville, KY | ★★★ | #20 | #2805 | — | Uncommitted |
| 22 |  Nate ShieldsIOL · Class of 2026 | TrinityLouisville, KY | — | — | — | — | Uncommitted |
| 23 | A'Davion DaleCB · Class of 2026 | Martha Layne CollinsShelbyville, KY | — | — | — | — | Uncommitted |
| 24 | Dylan LeeATH · Class of 2026 | RyleUnion, KY | — | — | — | — | Uncommitted |
| 25 | Ben MyersIOL · Class of 2026 | Paducah TilghmanPaducah, KY | — | — | — | — | Kentucky |
| 26 |  Elijah WardWR · Class of 2026 | Frederick DouglassLexington, KY | — | — | — | — | Uncommitted |
| 27 |  John Luke MinnerEDGE · Class of 2026 | Sayre SchoolLexington, KY | — | — | — | — | Uncommitted |
| 28 |  Eli PietrowskiWR · Class of 2026 | CorbinCorbin, KY | — | — | — | — | Uncommitted |
Where the depth is
Positions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the top 2026 football recruit from Kentucky?+–
Karsten Busch is the highest-rated tracked Class of 2026 football recruit from Kentucky (St. Xavier), a linebacker ranked No. 480 nationally.
How many Kentucky recruits in the Class of 2026 are still uncommitted?+–
22 of the 28 rated Class of 2026 recruits from Kentucky have not announced a college commitment; 6 have. Commitment status updates as public announcements are published.
How are Class of 2026 Kentucky recruits ranked?+–
Recruits are ordered by composite recruiting rating, then national rank, then the published state rank. Only players with a rating signal are included.