2025 WV Rankings Preseason Update: New Additions (Defense)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The West Virginia rankings were in need of an overhaul and over 60 new prospects have been added to the list since our last update. Our preseason rankings update now shows the Top 75 2025 athletes in WV and will be updated and expanded again mid-season. Here are some of the new defensive additions to the Top 75 that have made a name for themselves since our last update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908983' first='Brock' last='Kehler'] - University | LB</strong><br><em>Overall Ranking: 7 | Position Ranking: 1</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>University's [player_tooltip player_id='908983' first='Brock' last='Kehler'] is best known for his work on the wrestling mat but he's just as talented of a football player as he is a wrestler which is very scary for opposing offenses. Kehler is 6'3 230 and finished his sophomore wrestling campaign unblemished with a perfect 52-0 record in the 215-pound weight class and was a state champion. He's going to be an elite wrestling prospect but he deserves credit for his work on the gridiron too. Kehler's combination of prototypical linebacker size and high-level athleticism earns him the #7 overall spot in the 2025 rankings and the #1 rated linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908984' first='Guner' last='Flores'] - George Washington | LB</strong><br><em>Overall Ranking: 14 | Position Ranking: 2</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2025 linebacker name to know is George Washington's [player_tooltip player_id='908984' first='Guner' last='Flores']. The 6'2 190 rising junior is an extremely athletic linebacker prospect and a terror on the edge. His pass-rush ability is very good for a young player and can even put his hand in the dirt as a defensive end in a 5-man front. With his size and athleticism though he best translates as an OLB or Edge type player. Flores' pass-rush moves are very advanced for a player his age and his burst off the line is very quick. He's an exciting prospect with a high ceiling which earned him a #14 overall ranking and #2 linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908605' first='Isaiah' last='Osafo-Mensah'] - Washington | DL</strong><br><em>Overall Ranking: 17 | Position Ranking: 3</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am really high on Washington DL [player_tooltip player_id='908605' first='Isaiah' last='Osafo-Mensah'] and he enters the 2025 rankings 17th overall and our #3 ranked defensive lineman. He already has really good size for his age at 6'2 240 and he really impressed me at the GCOH Performance Exposure Camp. Osafo-Mensah was not on my radar until that camp but quickly climbed my DL board. I think he has D1 potential if he continues to develop and is one of the top WV 2025 defensive linemen in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909076' first='Landon' last='Nida'] - Cabell Midland | DB</strong><br><em>Overall Ranking: 23 | Position Ranking: 3</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cabell Midland's [player_tooltip player_id='909076' first='Landon' last='Nida'] is a speedy little defensive back and quickly stood out when watching his junior highlights. The 5'10 160 speedster can flat-out fly around the field and can cover a ton of ground in a short amount of time. I love the way he gets downhill and attacks ball carriers from his safety position. Nida is a good tackler for a DB and although he's not the biggest athlete he certainly doesn't shy away from contact. His athleticism and physicality earned him the #23 ranked athlete in 2025 and the #3 ranked DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='375710' first='Xavier' last='Kirk'] - Hedgesville | DB</strong><br><em>Overall Ranking: 28 | Position Ranking: 5</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 WV DB class is one of the most talented position groups for their class and that continues with Hedgesville's [player_tooltip player_id='375710' first='Xavier' last='Kirk']. Kirk has good length for the position at 6'1 and is also a good receiver but I like his ceiling the most as a DB for now. He's a high-upside player with his length and athleticism which earned him the #28 overall ranking and #5 rated DB. You need to keep an eye on this 2025 DB who should only continue to get better as he progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='872712' first='Solomon' last='Ferrell'] - George Washington | DB</strong><br><em>Overall Ranking: 35 | Position Ranking: 6</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George Washington DB [player_tooltip player_id='872712' first='Solomon' last='Ferrell'] will be making the transition from South Charleston HS this season and should only continue to raise the talent level in the loaded Patriots' DB group. He's another long corner at 6'1 165 that can run and cover a lot of space. I think Ferrell has the potential to climb much higher in these rankings if he still performs well against some really tough competition and athletes that George Washington faces. Ferrell had 3 interceptions and 7 pass breakups in 2022 and enters our rankings at 35th overall and the #6 DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The rest of the new defensive additions:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#40. [player_tooltip player_id='908985' first='Charles' last='Cantrell'] - Nitro | LB<br>#41. [player_tooltip player_id='908986' first='Jake' last='Young'] - Hedgesville | LB<br>#42. [player_tooltip player_id='866664' first='Prophet' last='Guillaume'] - Spring Mills | DL<br>#45. [player_tooltip player_id='908606' first='Braxton' last='Lovejoy'] - Nitro | DL<br>#46. [player_tooltip player_id='908607' first='Drake' last='Lanham'] - Hurricane | DL<br>#47. [player_tooltip player_id='908608' first='Brody' last='Cottrill'] - Linsly | DL<br>#51. [player_tooltip player_id='908987' first='Joey' last='Quijano'] - Hurricane | LB<br>#52. [player_tooltip player_id='908988' first='Nick' last='Busky'] - Martinsburg | LB<br>#55. [player_tooltip player_id='863520' first='Tucker' last='Van Meter'] - Capital | DL<br>#58. [player_tooltip player_id='450995' first='Keyon' last='Mills'] - Spring Mills | DB<br>#64. [player_tooltip player_id='909078' first='Damani' last='Johnson'] - Fairmont Senior | DB<br>#68. [player_tooltip player_id='908618' first='Brady' last='Baker'] - James Monroe | DL<br>#69. [player_tooltip player_id='908619' first='Ty' last='Mitchell'] - Scott | DL<br>#70. [player_tooltip player_id='908620' first='Darion' last='Davis'] - Hurricane | DL<br>#73. [player_tooltip player_id='908989' first='Wes' last='Molish'] - Oak Glen | LB<br>#74. [player_tooltip player_id='908990' first='Jameson' last='Maynard'] - Wheeling Park</strong><br><br><br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->