Ryle 2026 linebacker Jacob Savage announces his verbal college commitment

UNION, Ky. — Ryle 2026 linebacker Jacob Savage announced Friday afternoon his verbal commitment to Indiana University.

"Their defensive scheme is built around linebackers," Savage said. "Their linebackers play like how I play. I feel like I will be extremely successful and I can really maximize my abilities as a football player."

Savage made the announcement in front of friends, family and teammates in the Ryle Media Center.

"Jacob's recruitment has been interesting and fun," Ryle football coach Mike Engler said. "I am sure that it was really tiring for him and his family. They have made trip after trip, seeing the schools and getting a good idea of what school fits best for him. He has walked the campuses, talked with school officials (he is looking to study business), watched practices, and met with coaches (this doesn't include the coaches visiting us here at Ryle)."

Savage, who is listed at 6 feet 1 and 225 pounds, considered Purdue, Indiana, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Michigan State and Minnesota among his finalists.

Savage proudly wore an IU T-shirt and hat as the spectators burst into applause when he announced his commitment to the Hoosiers. Savage actually made his commitment earlier this month.

"It's been awesome," Savage said. "It's been a dream come true for sure. All day leading up to it definitely really excited, really nervous. Kind of get it done in front of all my friends and family. It's been an awesome day for sure."

Savage plans to graduate in December and enroll early at IU in January 2026.

"They're getting what I think is the best player in the state of Kentucky by far," Engler said. "They're getting a kid who works his butt off in the weight room, works his butt off on the football field and studies film. He's a leader. He wants the guys around him to do just as well as he does. And they are getting a student of the game. He is a 4.0 student - he just loves to play the game of football."

For now, Savage's main goal is to help Ryle win a state championship. Engler believes Savage will win Kentucky Mr. Football honors this upcoming season.

"He is a coach on the field as well," Engler said. "He is 110% on every play."

Savage helped to lead Ryle to the Kentucky Class 6A state final this past December. Ryle (12-3) completed its season as the state runner-up.

Savage rushed for 1,085 yards and 22 touchdowns (72.3 net yards per game), according to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association statistics. He also had 29 receptions for 313 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, Savage had 141 tackles (75 solo) including 9.5 tackles for loss. He also had three sacks and an interception.

"I think he is the No. 1 player in the state of Kentucky," Engler said. "When he's at full speed, I think the sky is the limit."

Savage, a three-star player by 247 Sports, is ranked the No. 6 player in Kentucky overall in the 2026 class by the recruiting website. He is ranked the nation’s No. 53 linebacker in the 2026 class by the recruiting website.

Ryle opens the season at Covington Catholic Aug. 22.

The NCAA early college football signing period is scheduled for December.

SIGN UP: Subscribe to our high school sports newsletter