2026 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Rankings have been updated and increased to 100 total players ranked in the class. 62 new players have seen their name added in the update, but there were some already in the rankings who saw their stock rise since the last update. Here are the athletes who saw their stock rise in the latest 2026 rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894671"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 14u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 35u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +21u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernThe highest stock riser since our last 2026 Rankings update was Independence OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='894671' first='Aaron' last='Blankenship']. The 6'1 240 big man had a huge sophomore season for the Patriots after transferring over from Woodrow Wilson where he saw some varsity time as a freshman. Blankenship totaled 108.5 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks during his sophomore campaign and was named a First Team All-State performer by the WVSWA in Class AA. He was a two-way starter this season on both sides of the line, but his ceiling may be highest as a defensive lineman. Blankenship could be ranked highly at OL or DL, and it will depend on how much he continues to grow physically to determine which position he translates best to at the next level. He recently competed at the National Combine in San Antonio, TX alongside some of the top underclassmen around the country and is beginning to work himself into the national conversation for 2026 big men. If he continues to add size and length his ceiling and upside will rise even further, and he may potentially be another D1 lineman out of WV.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["402800"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 6u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 13u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +7u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernThe early flyer we took on Wheeling Park running back [player_tooltip player_id='402800' first='Amar'e' last='Johnson'] in our last 2026 rankings update before the season paid off in a big way. We last ranked Johnson off of limited freshmen team film as he had yet to play on the varsity level up to that point, but he got the call up to varsity this season. Johnson had a big season for the Patriots to nobody's surprise rushing for just under 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games. He also proved to be a threat in the passing game catching 28 passes for 249 yards and a score. The 5'11 175 sophomore has put himself in the conversation as one of the top athletes in the WV 2026 class and is on the right track to becoming a D1 prospect. Johnson has a unique running style where he shows great patience and has fluid feet and hips that are always changing direction keeping defenders off balance. He has great vision and balance while seemingly always finding open space to run towards. If Johnson can find another gear in his speed I think he's a no-doubt FBS prospect. He's also a very good basketball player for the Patriots and has great family pedigree for the running back position being the son of former Wheeling Park and Oklahoma State running back Daryl u0022Boogieu0022 Johnson.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["894977"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 5u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 9u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +4u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernIt's tough to put Spring Mills athlete [player_tooltip player_id='894977' first='Xavier' last='Anderson'] into one position in the rankings so we moved him to ATH for now where he ranks #1 for the position and #5 overall in the 2026 class. The 6'6 190 sophomore could end up playing a few possible positions at the next level or even basketball. With how long he is it's hard to say how his body will develop over the next two years and that makes him an intriguing unknown at this point. We previously ranked him as a DL in our 2026 Rankings debut where he's still very good at that position but his play on the offensive side of the ball and high-level athleticism make it tough to limit him to just one side of the ball. Anderson could be a high-end TE prospect too if he can add the weight needed to play at that spot. He currently is just a tall receiver for the Cardinals on offense and has shown great things there as well. Regardless of where he eventually ends up positionally, Anderson has D1 athleticism and size and is a prospect that D1 schools should be looking at already.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["866254"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 5u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 10u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +5u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernNitro sophomore standout receiver [player_tooltip player_id='866254' first='Malachi' last='Thompson'] jumped up 5 spots in the 2026 Rankings and is now considered a Top 5 player in the class. The 6'4 190 athlete had a monster sophomore campaign for the Wildcats catching 57 passes for 1,264 yards and 20 touchdowns as one of the leading receivers in the state in all categories. Thompson has elite size for the position and pairs it with next-level speed for an athlete his size and age. As he continues to grow into his body and learns how to fully utilize his great length, Thompson has the opportunity to take the next step as an athlete and level up his game. He has all of the tools and athleticism to be a D1 prospect and could see himself becoming a future P4 recruit in time after further development. The WV 2026 class has some exciting prospects in it and not many have higher upside and potential than [player_tooltip player_id='866254' first='Malachi' last='Thompson'].","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["895933"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 7u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 11u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +4u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernThere isn't a player in the 2026 class primed for a bigger breakout season this upcoming season than Martinsburg's [player_tooltip player_id='895933' first='Tyion' last='Jacobs']. Jacobs was previously ranked as a WR but has been moved to LB after seeing some spot duty for the state-champion Bulldogs this season as a sophomore. At 6'2 180, you can tell Jacobs has the potential to add a lot of mass to his frame and bulk up to be a high-level linebacker prospect in time. That's not to say that he's also not a very good receiver and it wouldn't surprise me if that's the position he eventually ends up sticking at. Jacobs is just an all-around good athlete regardless of which position he plays and has very high upside. I believe he can develop and play himself into being a D1 prospect in the next two years, and it will be fun to watch him progress.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["402801"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 17u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 18u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +1u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernLinsly quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402801' first='Braden' last='Wade'] moved up just one spot in the rankings but he cemented himself this season as one of the top QB prospects in the 2026 class. Wade took over as QB1 midway through the season and didn't look back. He threw for 1,314 yards and 9 touchdowns as a sophomore in just 5 games for the Cadets. Of course, Wade took his lumps at times which is to be expected for a first-year varsity starter playing a tough regional schedule as Linsly does but he is very developed for a quarterback his age. He's put on good size since our last update as well putting himself in position to be the starter when called upon. Having the chance to catch his first game after being named the starter, you would have never known it was his first time being QB1 at the varsity level. Wade can make all of the throws on the field and plays the game like a veteran player. I would say he's the most polished quarterback in the 2026 class at this point in their young careers and could eventually take over the #1 spot.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["402802"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 1u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 1u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +0u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernAlthough the next two prospects on the list didn't move up or down in the rankings, they further cemented themselves as the Top 2 players in the class at this juncture in their high school careers. That includes Hurricane offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402802' first='Da'Ron' last='Parks'] who in all likelihood will remain in the #1 spot until he graduates. If you want to see what an elite high school offensive tackle prospect looks like just turn on Parks' film and you'll become familiar quickly. There's a reason why he was picking up Blue Blood offers from around the country after his freshman season and he hasn't slowed down any since then. Parks has everything you're looking for in an offensive tackle having elite measurables, athleticism, and fundamentals for an athlete his age. He has great footwork and is very technically sound for a sophomore tackle while having great strength and power to match those traits. West Virginia has been on a hot streak producing high-level offensive linemen and Parks has the potential to see the success at the next level as they have had if not more.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["402804"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eNew Ranking: 2u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePrevious Ranking: 2u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpots Raised: +0u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernAnother 2026 athlete in the class who has already received D1 offers up to this point of his career is fellow Hurricane sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='402804' first='Laron' last='Dues']. Dues was a PRZ WV First Team All-State selection this season after picking off 7 passes and breaking up 12 passes as a sophomore for the Redskins. Dues is a great man-to-man coverage corner who possesses great speed and fluidity as an athlete. He's also very good at playing the ball in the air which resulted in the high amount of interceptions and PBU's. His play at receiver further proved his high-level athletic traits and showed even more ball skills and playmaking ability. Dues' release off the line on offense is extremely quick and that translates to his play at DB with high pursuit and recovery speed. He has steadily increased in size and is beginning to physically mature more which will aid his game even further. I'd expect to see him add to his number of D1 offers in the next two years and should be a G5 prospect at the very least.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659c9722ea514"} /-->