Combine Preview: 2025 Ranked Defensive Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While more prospects will continue signing up over the next two weeks, over 100 prospects are already slated to make their way to Mylan Park in Morgantown, WV on May 4th to compete at the PRZ WV Combine Series! We're here to give you a preview of who will be in attendance and the talent that will be on hand. Here are the 2025 ranked defensive prospects that will be in attendance that you need to watch for!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>There are still spots left for our Combine coming to Morgantown, WV on May 4th! Code WVHSCombine24 will get you a discount if you'd like to attend! The deadline to register is May 2nd. For more information please click this&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1108/register/combine-series-west-virginia">link</a></strong>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226809"],"_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":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eFrankfort's [player_tooltip player_id='1226809' first='Caden' last='Whitacre'] u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eis currently slatedu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e to be the top-ranked defensive prospect that will be in attendance at the combine. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eThisu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e comes with a caveat as he's also a very quality offensive lineman for the Falcons and could u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ebe consideredu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e for either spot u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003edependingu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e on how much he can keep adding weight. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eWe consider Whitacre a DL prospect u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003efor nowu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e due to his u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e6'5u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e 225 size and combination of athleticism to pair with it u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ewhou003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e you can see playing defensive end or tackle in college with added bulk.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e Our question for Whitacre that we want to u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ebe answeredu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e at the combine is whether he can perform at a high level at DL with the limited film available at that position u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eoru003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e isu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e he better suited for OL after he adds considerable weight? Whitacre will likely perform well at both spots, but DL is where he's most intriguing and where he could develop into u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ea very goodu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e college player.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["909000"],"_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":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eThe linebacker group will be a very competitive u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eoneu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e at the combine u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ewithu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e quite a few prospects capable of earning MVP honors, and that starts with John Marshall's [player_tooltip player_id='909000' first='Maverick' last='Lemasters']. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eLemasters had a u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ehugeu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e breakout junior season for the Monarchs in 2023 as a two-way u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eplayeru003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ewhere he rushedu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e for over 1,200 yards andu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e 9 u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003etouchdowns.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e We like him as a linebacker prospect u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ethoughu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eandu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e expect that's where he'll play at the next level. Our question for Lemasters at the combine is how well will his testing numbers be and how u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eheu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e will perform in pass coverage? We'll get a good look at him in coverage in the 1-on-1 portion of the camp, and if u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ehe's able tou003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e perform well in that facet, Lemasters will prove that he's a well-rounded linebacker.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1106018"],"_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":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1106018' first='Jeffrey' last='Cowger'] just debuted inside u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eofu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e our 2025 Top 100 and will put his talents on display at the combine. Cowger recently announced his decision to transfer to Fairmont Senior after a monster junior season at North u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eMarionu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e where he racked up 77 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 13 sacks as a defensive end. We like him as an OLB prospect u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003egivenu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e his 6'3 180 size u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eandu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e expect u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eheu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e may get reps at both spots at the combine as well as possibly some reps at TE. If Cowger tests as well as we think u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eheu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e will and backs it up in 1-on-1s, he'll be in line for a rankings boost in the summer update. That will be our question for him as to whether he works out at LB or DE and if he can u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eperform well in pass coverage if he gets linebacker reps in 1-on-1s. Cowger is a very intriguing prospect with a likely high ceiling u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ewhichu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e we'll have the opportunity to confirm seeing him live and in person.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["852274"],"_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":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='897594' first='Brayden' last='Miller'] just wrapped up a First Team All-EPAC junior season and will u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ebe making theu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e transition from Musselman to state power and defending AAA champions Martinsburg for his senior year. The combine could be very eye-opening for him in terms of how we view him as a prospect u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eandu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eisu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e someone who could see his stock rise in the rankings with a good performance. Miller is a Top 10 DB u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eright nowu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e in our 2025 rankings but could make a big jump in the state rankings if he tests well and shows u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eoutu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e in 1-on-1s. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eOur question for Miller will be how well he tests to u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eget a better idea ofu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e his athletic ceiling and how u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ewill heu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e perform in man coverage in 1-on-1s as a safety prospect?u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e If Miller can answer those questions emphatically, his ranking will see an increase in the summer update. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1126444"],"_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":"u003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eAnother recent defensive prospect who debuted inside our Top 150 in the spring rankings update and u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003eis slatedu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e to be at the combine is Shady Spring's [player_tooltip player_id='1126444' first='Nathan' last='Hill']. He'll be competing in a deep and talented big-men group and is u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ecurrentlyu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e one of the highest-ranked defensive linemen committed to attending the combine. We'll u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ebe keepingu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e a close eye on Hill because of that and expect him to back up our high claims about him being a Top 20 DL in the 2025 class. The biggest question u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ewe haveu003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e for Hill is which side of the trenches he performs better at? He sees time on both sides of the line for the Tigers and could eventually swap to the offensive side of the ball in our rankings depending on what we see at the combine and how his senior season unfolds. Seeing how well he moves in person will also u003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003ebe very beneficial foru003c/spanu003eu003cspan data-preserver-spaces=u0022trueu0022u003e us moving forward, but Hill showed on his junior highlight tape that he can be in the conversation with some of the top 2025 linemen in the state. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661e015f00f57"} /-->