2025 Watch List Spotlight: ATHs
The 2025 Rankings were updated to 125 total players ranked in the class back in January but many more are on the Watch List. These Watch List players will eventually enter the rankings in the future and are names we…
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Continue ReadingThe 2025 Rankings were updated to 125 total players ranked in the class back in January but many more are on the Watch List. These Watch List players will eventually enter the rankings in the future and are names we will be watching closely next season. Here are some ATHs not currently in the rankings who you should keep an eye on in the fall.
Hedgesville ATH Dalton Harper Dalton Harper 6’0″ | 205 lbs | ATH Hedgesville | 2025 WV currently ranks as our #9 ATH in the 2025 rankings but is on the Watch List for the state ranking. Harper stepped in as QB1 this season and last when the starter went down with an injury and has done some good things at the position. He flashed some arm talent at times this season but it’s his legs that make him dangerous when he lines up at quarterback. Harper has quality speed but he’s a downhill physical runner who will put his shoulder down and fall forward. You can run a lot of called QB runs with him, and his 6’0 205 size allows him to withstand more hits than other quarterbacks. Harper could likely play quarterback at the small college level in certain systems, but his ceiling could rise if he’s able to get some film at other positions such as linebacker.
A really fun player to watch at the Class A level is Valley ATH Gavin Derby Gavin Derby 5’8″ | 155 lbs | ATH Valley | 2025 WV . Derby is another very good athlete who plays quarterback which would likely translate better at another position at the college level. The 5’9 165 junior rushed for 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns this season for the Lumberjacks while also throwing for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. Showcasing his athletic versatility further, Derby tallied 105 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense as a linebacker too. Derby was a PRZ WV Class A Second Team All-State defensive performer this season and was named First Team All-OVAC too. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands flashing natural speed and playmaking ability and can make defenders miss consistently. Allowing him to get to the corner spells danger for defenses, especially at the small school level, and he’s a threat to score on any given touch. Derby is twitchy and shifty with fluid feet that make him very tough to contain. While size may keep D2 schools from calling, Derby will be a sought-after D3 prospect who could play a few different positions at the next level.
Another small school ATH to know is Webster County’s Isaac Snyder Isaac Snyder 5’11” | 145 lbs | ATH Webster County | 2025 WV . Snyder was QB1 last season for the Highlanders accounting for over 1,100 total yards and 19 touchdowns. He’s another athletic quarterback who would likely translate better to the next level at another position. Snyder did flash some good things at the quarterback position this season though. He’s a quality thrower while on the run and that’s where he’s at his best. Snyder can do some good things with his legs extending plays or taking off to run making you account for his running ability too. I’d like to see some defensive film of him next season but he did have production on that side of the ball too.
Robert Cook Robert Cook 6’2″ | 185 lbs | ATH Chapmanville | 2025 WV was a Class AA WVSWA Honorable Mention All-State selection and earned First Team All-Conference this season for the Chapmanville Tigers as a two-way player. The 6’2 170 ATH is a dual-threat quarterback on offense accounting for over 1,000 total yards of offense and 7 touchdowns. He’s another athletic quarterback who will play a different position in college, and that position may just be defensive back. The combination of size and athleticism makes him an intriguing safety prospect although he has very limited DB film at this time. Cook flashed his athletic ability at quarterback as a fun first QB who can execute a lot of designed QB runs in their offense. He did flash his arm at times when on the run, but his potential as a WR or DB at the next level is much higher.
St. Marys ATH/QB Ryan Kent Ryan Kent 5’8″ | 150 lbs | ATH St. Marys | 2025 WV had a very productive junior season for the Blue Devils this season while leading them to a 9-1 regular season and playoff berth. He threw for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions while adding 350 rushing yards and 2 more scores. Kent was part of a two-man competition for the QB1 opening but took that job by its reigns and never looked back. He’s another undersized athletic quarterback who doubles as the point guard on the basketball team. He’s a natural distributor of the ball regardless of sport and a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Out of the ATHs listed in this article, Kent has some of the best arm talent among them and his passing ability should also be noted. However, his legs are what really make him dangerous showing good speed and quickness with a nice burst and ability to make defenders miss. Kent will be a small college prospect and a name local D3 programs should be looking at heading into his senior season.