West Virginia Breakout 2023 Prospects

West Virginia has plenty of under-recruited talent throughout the state &amp; the 2023 class is no exception. We looked at a strong group of prospects that could jump onto the recruiting scene this fall with a big junior season. Every prospect listed was a varsity contributor as a sophomore. Here’s who to watch for this fall! <hr /> <strong><em>QB: [player_tooltip player_id="169014" first="Gavin" last="Lochow"], 6’0", 195, Huntington</em></strong> On tape, Gavin is extremely effective on called quarterback runs and has the wheels to outrun angles. He’s comfortable throwing off his spot and has the arm strength to easily wing a ball downfield vertically. He’s a strong timing thrower who will look off opposing safeties. He calmly climbs the pocket when under duress with his eyes up, searching for a potential target. He can provide serious issues if unblocked defenders don’t stay square to the line in zone-read concepts. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13067441/5fdce15e2351800104c47cf9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id="58848" first="Grant" last="Cochran"], 6’4", 215, Princeton</strong></em> Grant put up an impressive stat line as a sophomore throwing for 27 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions. This is a long gun-slinger with a good build and a big arm behind him. He drops the go ball right into the breadbasket and puts plenty of air on it so his target can run right under it. He’s a talented thrower on the move and can excel throwing off-platform. Despite his size, Cochran is pretty nimble and can evade pressure against free rushers. He’s effective on RPO’s and can alter his arm slot to fit the ball into awkward windows. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/38933/601ad2b05ca8e013847c3385" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id="58831" first="Spencer" last="Powell"], 6’4", 190, Jefferson</strong></em> A smooth route runner equipped with plenty of build-up speed. Powell shows great concentration in traffic and can adjust his body to make catches in awkward body positions. He’s a superb deep-ball tracker with a big catch radius. Powell has quick feet and violent hands that benefit him in beating press coverage. He has legitimate leaping ability as well and will use it to go up &amp; high point the football. This is a pure hands catcher who will look the ball in all the way to the tuck. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13160114/5fb5a10190eee20bb0846ec6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>ATH: [player_tooltip player_id="58827" first="Jaeden" last="Hammack"], 6’1", 175, University</strong></em> A major vertical threat who will consistently challenge safeties. Hammack has the speed to take the top off any defense and is a serious issue on a four verticals concept. He shows strong hands in traffic and is quite slippery after the catch. He even lined up at quarterback last fall and was able to create plenty of chunk plays in the run game. At defensive back, he’s a smooth operator out of a back-pedal and shows good instincts breaking on the quarterback. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13057896/5fb595045b471a10848a24ec" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>