WV Preseason Spotlight: Preston & Tucker County
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As we reach the under one-month window until the 2023 football season begins, we will spotlight some of West Virginia’s prospects to watch for this season. Today we will focus on Preston & Tucker County. Here are some prospects you…
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Continue ReadingAs we reach the under one-month window until the 2023 football season begins, we will spotlight some of West Virginia’s prospects to watch for this season. Today we will focus on Preston & Tucker County. Here are some prospects you need to keep an eye on in Preston & Tucker County for the 2023 season.
Greyson Kuhn Greyson Kuhn 6’1″ | 280 lbs | OL Preston | 2024 State WV held down the blindside for the Preston Knights in 2022 and the rising senior returns for his final season. Kuhn is listed at 6’1 280 and will likely slide inside to guard at the next level but plays left tackle in high school. He also plays along the interior of the defensive line where Kuhn could also see himself playing in college but I like him on the offensive line the most right now. I enjoyed seeing a mix of run and pass-blocking clips in his junior highlights and he showed quality reps at each of them. Kuhn is a bigger body that is tough to get around when he plants his hands on defenders. His footwork also showed he best translates as a guard in college but Kuhn is strong and a people mover. Kuhn will be placed on our watch list for the next 2024 rankings update.
Ethan Likens Ethan Likens 5’10” | 205 lbs | LB Preston | 2025 WV is a promising 2025 linebacker for the Preston Knights and a name you’ll want to watch for the next two seasons. He’s a little stocky right now at 5’10 205 but Likens earned Defensive Team MVP for the Knights as a sophomore and will continue to lead that side of the ball for two more years. Likens was also named First Team All-Conference in 2022 as a linebacker. He’s your classic throwback middle linebacker that loves to attack and get downhill. He’s always around the ball and one of those linebackers that will easily hit triple-digit tackles in a season. Likens spends a lot of time in the weight room and always striving to get stronger which is paying dividends early in his career. He’s another name that made our watch list for the 2025 rankings.
One of the state’s top 2025 specialists will be Preston’s Cole Turner Cole Turner 5’9″ | 175 lbs | K Preston | 2025 State WV . Turner is an all-around good athlete who also sees time at receiver and defensive back while also being a quality wrestler. Turner poses a big leg and handles all kicking duties for the Knights. He can step out to 50+ yards in field goals and had a 56 and 52-yard punt in a game last season. Turner also had multiple 30+ yard field goals as a sophomore and freshman. As he continues to develop his accuracy and consistency, Turner should only continue to see his stock rise. He’s also a name on our watch list for the 2025 rankings.
Blaike Adams Blaike Adams 5’9″ | 150 lbs | WR Tucker County | 2024 State WV had a tremendous junior year for the Tucker County Mountian Lions in 2022 on both sides of the ball. Adams placed 5th in the state in interceptions last season with 6 and was also a standout receiver on offense with nearly 500 yards and 8 total touchdowns. He also earned Class A All-State Honorable Mention as a junior. The 5’9 145 speedster can line up at running back and slot receiver and is a versatile player. Adams’ speed allows him to get open consistently and his playmaking ability after the catch is dangerous as well. He has the kind of speed that if he gets a crease he’s difficult to track down. Adams was a large part of Tucker’s passing game success last season and should continue into 2023 as they bring back most of their skill talent.
Highlights
One of the best receivers in WV Class A this season will be Tucker County’s, Maddox Anderson Maddox Anderson 5’11” | 155 lbs | WR Tucker County | 2024 State WV . Anderson put up monster numbers in Tucker’s spread offense last season to the tune of 1,100 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns while averaging over 100 yards per game. Anderson earned Class A First Team All-State in 2022 and should repeat that accomplishment this season as well. The 5’10 155 rising senior is another speedy receiver that stretches the field very well. While his speed is a big asset to his game, Anderson also has very good make-you-miss ability after the catch and is very slippery. Another aspect of his game that I enjoyed seeing was his commitment to special teams. Obviously, with his speed, he’s a very good returner but also showed he’s willing to cover as well. He’s definitely a player we are keeping a close eye on this season to enter our rankings in the next update.
Tucker County has a loaded senior class and that continues with OL/LB Gavin Mullenax Gavin Mullenax 6’0″ | 200 lbs | LB Tucker County | 2024 State WV . You know Mullenax is a tough player when he’s playing offensive line at 6’0 200 but he’ll likely be a linebacker at the next level. That physicality of playing on the offensive line translates to his play at linebacker where he’s a very sure tackler. I didn’t get to see much of his pass coverage abilities but Mullenax is very stout in run defense. He sticks his nose in there with no hesitation and attacks with purpose. He even lined up on the defensive line at times last season and could grow into a defensive end in time as well. Mullenax is another Mountain Lion that earned Class A All-State Honorable Mention last season as a junior and looks to achieve that again for his senior year.
One of the top signal callers in Class A last season was Tucker County’s Ethan Rosenau Ethan Rosenau 6’2″ | 190 lbs | QB Tucker County | 2024 State WV . The 6’2 190 quarterback threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2022 while leading the Mountain Lions to a very successful 2022 campaign. Rosenau has a strong arm and drives the ball well down the field for his stable of speedy receivers to run under. He also showed the ability to fit passes into tight windows and can throw with touch over defenders when needed. While I wouldn’t call him a true dual-threat QB, he’s athletic enough to scramble and buy time in the pocket when appropriate. I expect Rosenau will surpass 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns his senior year in the Tucker County pass-happy offense. He earned Class A Second Team All-State honors in 2022 and looks to increase that to First Team this year.