New to the 2025 Rankings: Offense (Top 75)
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The WV 2025 Rankings have been updated and there are now 125 players in the class ranked! There were many new additions to the Top 125 so let’s break down which players were added in this update. Here are the…
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Continue ReadingThe WV 2025 Rankings have been updated and there are now 125 players in the class ranked! There were many new additions to the Top 125 so let’s break down which players were added in this update. Here are the offensive players that were added in the 2025 Rankings update.
Hurricane TE Rhett McGrew Rhett McGrew 6’3″ | 235 lbs | TE Hurricane | 2025 State WV is someone we identified at the midpoint of the season and included in our Midseason Stock Risers series and now ranks inside the Top 10 as the #1 TE in the class. We said on Twitter that the 2025 TE class has D1 potential in it and sure enough, Marshall jumped on board with an early offer for McGrew. Hurricane got him involved in the passing game a bit catching 17 passes for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns but McGrew showed he was an unselfish player in the blocking game. The 6’3 225 junior could end up as a TE or H-Back at the next level depending on how he grows and develops in the future. McGrew put in the work last off-season to work himself into being a D1 prospect and increased his size and strength considerably which he’ll continue to do. He has the athleticism to not only be a factor in the passing game but also block in space and at the second level. McGrew is also a physical blocker at the line of scrimmage but can line up in the slot or out wide to block linebackers and defensive backs too. He’s one of the few 2025 prospects to have received a D1 offer at this point which puts him firmly in the Top 10 at this juncture.
Highlights
James Monroe big man Brady Baker Brady Baker 6’3″ | 280 lbs | OL James Monroe | 2025 State WV isn’t new to our state rankings but is new to the offensive side after being moved from DL to OL in the rankings. Baker moved up 55 spots in the state ranking to 13th overall and is now considered the #2 offensive lineman in the class. He’s a high-quality player on both sides of the trenches but Baker’s ceiling on the offensive line is very high. While he may not be facing the stiffest of competition at the small school level, his technique and fundamentals translate to any level of football. Baker plays tackle in high school but will assuredly slide inside in college. Without putting too much pressure or expectations on him, I think there are a lot of similarities between his and former Fairmont Senior/WVU standout Zach Frazier’s game which is very high praise. We firmly consider him a D1 prospect now and he could see himself in the Top 10 of the rankings in the future.
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Another athlete who was in our state rankings previously but moved from defense to offense in the rankings was Martinsburg RB/LB Nick Busky Nick Busky 5’11” | 190 lbs | RB Martinsburg | 2025 State WV . He’s a very good player on both sides of the ball and it’s still to be determined which side he fits best at. With his size of 5’11 195 and athleticism, running back may be where his ceiling is highest and he’ll be considered as such in the rankings moving forward. Busky moves up 28 spots in the state rankings and is now the #2 ranked running back in the 2025 class. He has the ideal combination of speed and power that you’d love to have in an every-down back that can do a lot of different things for you in your offense. Busky can run through arm tackles between the tackles then show off his burst when he’s in the open field and run away from everyone. He has some shiftiness in his game but is mostly a one cut and go running back who wants to get upfield as soon as possible. Busky was a WVSWA First Team All-State and First Team All-EPAC selection this season as a junior.
One of the leading rushers in the state this season was Princeton running back Marquel Lowe Marquel Lowe 5’11” | 185 lbs | RB Princeton | 2025 State WV who rushed for 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns for the state runner-up Tigers as a junior. Lowe is a quality all-purpose back as well catching 16 passes for 308 yards and 6 more scores and totaling over 2,000 all-purpose yards. Lowe has great speed but don’t mistake him as only a scatback as he’ll run through arm tackles and sees plenty of time at linebacker on defense. With the graduation of Dominick Collins Dominick Collins 5’9″ | 165 lbs | WR Princeton | 2024 State WV , Lowe could be the Tigers’ premiere player in 2024 and put up even bigger numbers during his senior season. He was a unanimous Second Team All-State selection as a junior and returns as one of the top running backs in the state and the new Class AAA.
One of the most fun prospects in the 2025 class is Scott ATH Carson Brinegar Carson Brinegar 5’10” | 180 lbs | ATH Scott | 2025 State WV who totaled over 2,000 all-purpose yards this season for the Skyhawks. Brinegar primarily plays receiver in their spread offense where he caught 78 passes for 1,296 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior but can also carry the ball too. He rushed for 311 yards and 5 touchdowns while also making his mark on special teams at times. The 5’10 180 junior has blazing speed and was the 100m dash Class AA state champion as a sophomore running in the low 11-second range. Brinegar is dynamic with the ball in his hands who’s a threat to score any time he touches it. He’s not just a straight-line speed athlete either and can make you miss at times. It wouldn’t surprise me if he sees more time at running back next season with the graduation of Preston Cooper Preston Cooper 6’0″ | 205 lbs | RB Scott | 2024 State WV , but Brinegar will be deadly regardless of where he lines up.
University WR/DB Ethan Jackson Ethan Jackson 6’0″ | 165 lbs | WR University | 2025 State WV had a tremendous junior season for the Hawks catching 62 passes for just over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jackson took a big leap forward from his sophomore year and now ranks inside the Top 50 and #6 receiver in the 2025 class. The 5’11 165 slot receiver is a complete player who has very good speed and reliable hands. Jackson is also a quality route runner with sharp breaks in his movements. As a smaller receiver, he also has the ability to make tough catches in traffic and high points the ball well even when contested. He has good playmaking ability after the catch as well relying on his speed to run by defenders but also has some twitch to make them miss. The 2025 receiver class is loaded with talent with University’s Ethan Jackson Ethan Jackson 6’0″ | 165 lbs | WR University | 2025 State WV being at the top of that list.
I am really high on Linsly offensive lineman Brock Kuttie Brock Kuttie 6’5″ | 275 lbs | OL Linsly | 2025 State WV and very excited about his future outlook. The 6’5 275 big man saw his first varsity action this season for the Cadets and performed very well in his first season starting. Linsly plays a very tough regional schedule which will help prepare him for the next level and faces talent that will benefit him as a prospect. Kuttie saw time at guard and tackle this season and as he further develops I believe he has the athleticism to be a tackle at the next level. He’s only scratching the surface of his potential and if Kuttie takes the next step next season he could catapult even higher in our 2025 rankings. I thought he had quality film of both run and pass blocking and was able to showcase his athleticism and footwork getting to the second level and on his kick steps at times. Kuttie fires off the ball in run block showing the willingness to be physical and aggressive. You could also see his athleticism on display when he lined up at guard and was tasked to pull block showing pretty good foot quickness. A Top 10 ranking for a position is very good but Kuttie has the potential to climb even further.
Highlights
Second Team All-MSAC performer Cole Ferguson Cole Ferguson 5’10” | 160 lbs | WR Spring Valley | 2025 State WV out of Spring Valley debuts in our 2025 rankings as the #66 overall player and #10 ranked WR in the class. Ferguson had a productive season for the Timberwolves at receiver in their run-heavy scheme catching 25 passes for 475 yards and 4 touchdowns while averaging over 27 yards on kick returns. He’s a quality baseball prospect as well hitting .276 as a sophomore and having 18 stolen bases. Ferguson is a really quick and speedy 5’10 160 receiver who can break a game open if he gets out in the open field. If he were in a more pass-happy system I think he would put up some really big numbers. Ferguson has a good burst and can fly when he turns it on. He has good separation ability and is a good YAC receiver who’s not afraid to absorb contact and put his shoulder down while being a smaller receiver. Ferguson does a nice job on short throws as well getting upfield for extra yardage and leaning on his speed.
One of many talented Scott receivers that are now in our 2025 Top 70 is Isaiah Bush Isaiah Bush 5’11” | 170 lbs | WR Scott | 2025 State WV who has been a very productive player for the Skyhawks the past two seasons. I was able to see Bush at the Winter Exposure Showcase back in December where he earned MVP honors and the combination of that performance along with his production and film warranted a Top 70 ranking and the #11 WR in the class. Bush has totaled just under 1,500 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns up to this point in his career and will return as a key piece to Scott’s prolific spread attack. The Skyhawks are deep at the receiver position but Bush shouldn’t be overlooked as all three receivers are scholarship-graded prospects. I think his size and skillset give him the versatility to play inside or outside and he’s capable of running the full route tree. As I’ve mentioned before, Bush is also a very quality defensive back which gives him options on where he projects in college. Up to 5’11 170 now, Bush is getting bigger and filling out his frame more each year which has really benefitted his game.
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Spring Mills center Brayden Kirk Brayden Kirk 6’2″ | 250 lbs | OL Spring Mills | 2025 State WV is one of my personal favorite offensive linemen in the 2025 class and now ranks as a Top 70 player and the #11 OL. The only thing that lowers his ceiling a bit is size but at 6’2 250 and playing center, you don’t need to be a mountain of an athlete. I was very impressed with his performance at the Winter Exposure Showcase back in December where he was the best offensive lineman there in my eyes and faced some very good defensive linemen. Kirk has the frame to increase his weight over time which will really take his game to the next level. He’s a great leverage player with a strong base and plays with good technique. He has good foot quickness that allows him to block down to the second level and good hips to turn his body when shielding off the running lane. Kirk does a nice job getting under his man and neutralizing him while being strong enough to drive him off of the line. He’s a competitor that has worked himself into being a top lineman in the class and a scholarship-level prospect.
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Another prospect new to the 2025 state rankings that I was able to see in person at the Winter Exposure Showcase who earned MVP honors was Nitro RB Eli Littlejohn Eli Littlejohn 5’7″ | 175 lbs | RB Nitro | 2025 State WV . He could be classified as an ATH in the rankings and may switch to that position eventually but will be ranked as a running back for now. The 5’7 170 all-purpose back was productive in both the running and passing game for the Wildcats totaling 1,200 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns combined. Littlejohn is an undersized player but dynamic with the ball in his hands with very good speed. I thought he made a big jump from his sophomore season at St. Albans and thrived in Nitro’s offensive system. Littlejohn is a very versatile athlete that they lined up all over the field and used in a variety of ways. He can be your classic scatback that can be used in the screen game and on wheel routes but has the skill set to line up in the slot and out wide to be used in the more traditional passing game. His low center of gravity allows him to run through arm tackles and being undersized makes it difficult for defenders to hit him low. Littlejohn is built well physically which also makes up for his height and allows him to run between the tackles. He’s a very fun player to watch whose versatility as a player makes him an intriguing prospect.