What a magnificent way for Ryle linebacker Jacob Savage to cap off his career as he was named the 2025 TriState Football Kentucky Defensive Player of the Year as TSF paid tribute to the area’s finest from Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton and Southeast Indiana at the Year in Review Show on Monday night, in front of a packed house at the Holy Grail in downtown Cincinnati.
The senior and four-year starter was the heart-and-soul of a 10-4 Ryle team that won its third straight district championship for the first time in school history. The Raiders also made back-to-back state semifinal appearances for the first time in program history. Savage recorded 112 tackles with 15.0 tackles for losses, a forced fumble and three takeaways (two INTs, one FR). On offense, he ran for 1,222 yards, caught 12 balls for 204 yards and found the end zone 29 times (24 rush, five rec).
Those efforts also led to Savage being named KFCA Class 6A, District 5 Player of the Year (for a second straight season), First Team All-NKY (for a third straight season), NKFCA Top 28 (for a third straight season), First Team All-TriState Football (for a second straight season) and TSF NKY DPOY finalist (for a third straight season). Making him one of the most decorated players to ever come out of Northern Kentucky,
Savage has signed with national champion Indiana. He finished his career at Ryle with 409 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 39.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six interceptions, 2,687 yards rushing, 63 receptions, 749 yards receiving and 64 touchdowns (53 rush, 11 rec).
Other 2025 TSF Kentucky DPOY finalists included seniors Ryker Campbell (Cooper), Bo Gay (Ryle), Chase McDaniel (Beechwood), junior Charles Oglesby (Holy Cross) and sophomore Lincoln Tomlinson (Lloyd Memorial)
This was the third TSF NKY Defensive Player of the Year Finalist nomination for Savage. He is the third player in the 19-year history of the award to be nominated three times. (Xavier Campbell, Beechwood – 2021-’23; Austin Alexander, Cooper – 2022-’24)
TSF Kentucky Defensive Players of the Year
2025 – Jacob Savage (Ryle)
2024 – Austin Alexander (Cooper)
2022 – Brach Rice (Dixie Heights)
2022 – Austin Alexander (Cooper)
2021 – Gabe Savage (Ryle)
2020 – Tayquan Calloway (Holmes)
2019 – Brycen Huddleston (Highlands)
2018 – Michael Mayer (Covington Catholic)
2017 – Kam Butler (Covington Catholic)
2016 – Derrick Barnes (Holy Cross)
2015 – Marcus Watson (Cooper)
2014 – Branden Johnson (Dixie Heights)
2013 – Nate McCoy (Gallatin County)
2012 – Cameron Fogle (Conner)
2011 – Mikel Reynolds (Boone County)
2010 – Austin Baldwin (Simon Kenton)
2009 – Brandon Roller (Highlands)
2008 – Kody Rosenhagen (Highlands)
2007 – Luke Stein (Highlands)
