New to the 2026 Rankings (41-60)
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 and we’ll break down who was added. Here were the players who debuted…
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Continue ReadingThe 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 and we’ll break down who was added. Here were the players who debuted in the 2026 rankings in this update.
Herbert Hoover running back Blake Fisher Blake Fisher 5’8″ | 175 lbs | RB Herbert Hoover | 2026 State WV was a pleasant surprise when I found his sophomore highlights on Twitter. The 5’8 175 athlete totaled 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Huskies this season and stepped up hugely when two older running backs went down due to injury before the season. Fisher is your traditional all-purpose back who is a very quality pass catcher who can do so out of the backfield or line up as a slot receiver. His reported 4.7-40 time appears to be pretty accurate when watching him on film and Fisher has the speed to separate from defenders in the open field. He’s able to hit top speed quickly and has a nice burst out of the gates. Fisher also has some wiggle to him and can make defenders miss at times for extra yards. His receiver background provides him with very good route running ability making him a very dangerous threat in the passing game at running back or receiver. Fisher may see fewer running back reps next season with a healthier RB group but will fit in nicely at receiver if needed.
Highlights
Landon Riddle Landon Riddle 6’2″ | 195 lbs | LB Independence | 2026 State WV had a huge sophomore campaign for the Independence Patriots with a ton of production. Riddle was one of the leaders in tackles in the state regardless of class year with 165 total including 21 for a loss and 11.5 sacks. Independence develops linebackers as good as anybody in the state and it appears Riddle will be the next great one. Quality size already for a sophomore at 6’2 195 which allows him to play at the physicality he needs at middle linebacker. Very good downhill player who gets consistent penetration to the backfield creating a high number of TFLs and sacks. Defensive playmaker that forced 6 total turnovers this season including 4 forced fumbles and a pick-six. Shows a great nose for the ball with good pursuit and a high motor. If Riddle gets a step or two faster his ceiling will become very high and a potential Top 25 player in the 2026 class. Riddle was a Second Team All-State performer by the WVSWA this season and First Team All-Coalfields Conference.
Greenbrier East has some exciting 2026 prospects who will look to turn that program around but none better than their sophomore quarterback Brody Hamric Brody Hamric 6’3″ | 170 lbs | QB Greenbrier East | 2026 State WV . Hamric earned First Team All-Coalfields Conference and was an Honorable Mention All-State selection by the WVSWA this season. He has an athletic build and good size for his age at 6’3 170 with plenty of room to fill out more the next two years. Hamric has quality athleticism that allows him to scramble and pick up extra yards when under pressure. Good pocket awareness and mobility that can extend the play while keeping his eyes down the field without panicking. Throws with nice touch at all three levels with a high arc on his passes. Throwing mechanics are a work in progress with a 3/4 arm slot and a shoulder-level release that affects his velocity. Footwork development would also benefit his base and velocity that causes Hamric to throw off-balanced needing more shoulder help in his throws. If Hamric fine-tunes his mechanics, he has a chance to cement his Top 3 QB ranking in the 2026 class but has a solid foundation of tools to work with.
Another Capital Cougar inside our 2026 Top 100 is linebacker Shamar Smith Shamar Smith 5’9″ | 190 lbs | LB Capital | 2026 State WV who ranks 45th overall and the #5 LB. Smith was a Second Team All-MSAC performer as a sophomore in a loaded conference and one of the few underclassmen with those honors. The 5’9 190 middle linebacker was a participant at The National Combine in Frisco, TX competing against some of the top underclassmen in the country. Smith shows early signs of quality athleticism and ran a verified 4.89-40 and 4.69 shuttle at The National Combine. On the field, that athleticism is apparent in his pursuit and reaction time for a young linebacker. Smith is a sure tackler who can do so in the open field and amongst traffic at the line of scrimmage. He’s at his best when he’s getting downhill at the snap and can improve on reading the play and deciding on which angles to take to make the tackle. I expect Smith to make a big jump in his development in the next two seasons especially if he keeps growing physically.
Highlights
I expect Spring Mills receiver Hope Bokwe Hope Bokwe 6’3″ | 180 lbs | WR Spring Mills | 2026 State WV to see a big jump in his playing time and production in the next two seasons for the Cardinals, but the early signs are there for him being a top prospect in the 2026 class. Big-bodied wideout who lists himself as 6’3 180 now and can be a dominant blocker on the outside or in the slot. Bokwe showed he can run routes at all three levels of the tree and I thought he was a quality route runner for a young receiver his size. He has the ability and athleticism with his length to high point balls over receivers and secure tough contested catches in traffic. A two-sport athlete who should also see more playing time in the next two years on the hardwood for the current #1 ranked AAA school in basketball. Bokwe should build on his 16 catches for 200 yards sophomore campaign as a junior and can also get reps at defensive back when needed.
Defensive line prospects are limited right now in the 2026 class but an early standout at the position is Musselman’s Frankie Urias Frankie Urias 6’3″ | 215 lbs | DL Musselman | 2026 State WV . Urias is a long 6’3 215 who is a bit of a DE/Edge hybrid right now for the Applemen. His athleticism popped on film and Urias has good short-area quickness and pursuit speed for his size. He plays with very good leverage showcasing his athleticism further and wins at the line of scrimmage with violent hands. They’ll even line him up inside at times as a 2 and 3-tech and performs well while giving up a significant gap in weight at times. Urias is a very good open-field tackler whose length and quickness benefit him in that category. He can split the guard and tackle with his sudden quickness but is also strong enough to fight off double teams as well. If Urias keeps adding size while maintaining his athleticism he may finish as a Top 5 defensive lineman in the class and become a sought-after prospect.
The second Greenbrier East Spartan in this section of the rankings is TE Grant Burdette Grant Burdette 6’3″ | 225 lbs | TE Greenbrier East | 2026 State WV who is a very promising TE prospect that currently ranks in the Top 5 for the position. At 6’3 215, the early size is there for Burdette to build on and showcased very good athleticism for a young athlete his size. I loved the versatility I saw on his sophomore highlight tape and Burdette showed he can do all aspects of the TE position. Burdette can line up at wideout, in the slot, and as an in or off-line TE. He further showcased his athleticism by blocking in space on defensive backs at wideout and in the slot and has film of him running away from defenders after the catch. Burdette can also block as a traditional in-line TE whose early size and strength made him an effective blocker. He can run slot fades and seam routes as well and may be the most complete TE in the class at this time. I think Burdette is a hidden gem at this time and if keeps on this trajectory for the next two years he may find himself receiving some D1 interest. He was a First Team All-Coalfields Conference selection this past season.
Class AA Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-Cardinal Conference selection Rob Ball Rob Ball 6’2″ | 270 lbs | DL Logan | 2026 State WV from Logan is an early standout defensive lineman in the 2026 class. The 6’2 270 interior lineman is one of three Wildcats currently in our 2026 Top 100 with Ball being the highest ranked thus far. He’s a big strong young athlete whose technique and fundamentals are a work in progress, but Ball is already seeing success as a raw player. He can take on double teams to allow teammates to make plays and will not be forced off the line very often. You can see flashes of high-quality play when he’s playing lower and effectively using his hands to pair with his physical strength and size. When he fires off the ball you can see he does have some quickness and gets good penetration into the backfield at times. Ball is a high-upside player with a high ceiling and if he continues developing he’ll have some college options.
One of four Spring Valley prospects currently in our 2026 rankings and the second offensive lineman is guard Braxton Carter Braxton Carter 6’1″ | 275 lbs | OL Spring Valley | 2026 State WV . The 6’1 260 big man showed good foot quickness and the ability to block at the second level and pull from his guard spot. Carter is ahead of the game in run block due to the Timberwolves’ style of offense and proved to be a tough physical run blocker. He does a nice job sustaining blocks after initial contact with good drive. Carter’s effort and hustle also jumped out when watching his sophomore highlight tape sometimes blocking 15+ yards down the field. They run behind behind Carter a lot when he pulls showing the amount of trust and confidence his coaches have in him. Spring Valley develops offensive linemen at a high level so Carter is in good hands with his development the next two years. If he increases in size he’ll raise his ceiling and potentially make a jump in the rankings where he’s already a Top 15 OL in the class.