Jacob Savage, a running back and linebacker at Ryle High School in Union, Kentucky, is focused on his goals for his last season.
“I want a state championship at the end of the day,” Savage stated. That’s my main objective. Then, personally, I’d really like to acquire Mr. Football. That would be an enormous achievement. It was undoubtedly a fantastic way for me to wrap up my time in high school.
At six feet two and 225 pounds, Savage is undoubtedly a Mr. Football contender for one of the top high school football teams in Kentucky.
According to Ryle football coach Mike Engler, you don’t get many athletes like Jacob Savage. He is an excellent scholar. Yes, sir. No, sir. His family is wonderful. On the football field and in the weight room, he is unrelenting.
VIEW: Ryle’s preparations for the 2025 football season
Savage, who has committed to Indiana University, ran for 1,085 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Raiders (12-3), the 2024 Class 6A state runner-up. As a junior, the four-year starter also caught 29 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
Engler stated, “I think he’s one of the best running backs I’ve ever seen.” A 225-pound running back with his level of speed is hard to find. That can carry it through any play.
Savage recorded 141 defensive tackles, 75 of which were solo, and 9.5 tackles for loss in the previous campaign. In addition, he recorded an interception and three sacks.
Engler stated, “If you ever watch him tackle, you’ll see that he runs through people in addition to tackling.” That’s just not what you teach.
Savage is only interested on winning, regardless of the strategy used. Six defensive and nine offensive starters are back for the Raiders.
“We didn’t really know what it took to kind of get to that next level in the previous years,” Savage said. We discussed it. However, we were genuinely unaware. Coaches, players, and the institution as a whole, I believe, now truly understand what it takes. We have witnessed it.
The Raiders are undoubtedly eager for another chance to win the program’s first state championship. Northern Kentucky’s high school football teams have never taken home a Class 6A state title.
Engler remarked, “We feel like we have some unfinished business.” But simply becoming better is our top priority. simply to keep getting better. Because we have a team that we believe can win and return, it’s difficult to avoid looking ahead.
Senior defensive end/wide receiver Bo Gay, senior wide receivers Dylan Lee (Colgate commit), and senior quarterback Nate Verax are among the other Ryle returning starters who are anticipated to have a big effect.
“State is all we’re thinking about,” Lee stated. With the exception of the rookies, every guy on our team has experienced what that was like. Nobody wants to experience that once more. We anticipate a state.
Ryle will embark on a new journey alongside a number of seasoned players when the Raiders kick off the season on August 22 at Covington Catholic.
“It should be a pretty exciting year, provided we stay healthy,” Engler remarked.
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