PRZ WV Combine Top LB Performers & Best of the Rest

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over 100 prospects competed and battled through tough weather conditions at the PRZ WV Combine on Saturday with many standouts making themselves known. Here are the linebackers who stood out and were selected as Top Performers by the college coaches in attendance coaching them up along with the best of the rest who deserved a mention too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MVP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894976"],"_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":"2026 Spring Mills LB [player_tooltip player_id='894976' first='Devin' last='King'] may not have been the highest-ranked linebacker at the Combine, but he came out and proved to be the best LB performer. King was named MVP of the linebacker group by the college coaches teaching and evaluating him and had a great performance during the camp. We didn't know what to expect from the 5'9 200 rising junior after he missed the majority of his sophomore season with an injury but liked what we saw in the brief film he had available. We took a chance on him from the limited sample size and ranked him as a Top 15 LB in the 2026 class, and King proved the hunch we had about him. He looked the part physically and has the family pedigree to develop even further as a prospect.rnrnIf King wasn't on the radar heading into the event, he surely is now after proving himself among some of the state's best in attendance and beyond.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663a91e853e80"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Devin99882472/status/1786907765060882695","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Devin99882472/status/1786907765060882695 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Performers</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1127296"],"_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":"It was great to see another ranked 2026 linebacker come out and prove why we think highly of him at the Combine. Capital LB [player_tooltip player_id='1127296' first='Shamar' last='Smith'] ranks inside our 2026 Top 50 as the #6 linebacker in the class and showed why he is by earning a Top 5 LB Performer spot by the college coaches in attendance. Smith is a physically impressive athlete for a sophomore who has spent plenty of time in the weight room and has developed well from that standpoint. It was good to see him be able to perform without the physicality of a normal game which is a strength of his. Smith can make continued strides in his speed and agility but is ahead of the game in other facets of the linebacker position.rnrnSmith has a bright future ahead of him, and we look forward to seeing him take the next steps in his development to take his game to the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1158298"],"_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":"The brotherly Saint James (MD) linebacker duo had a good showing at the PRZ WV Combine with older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1158298' first='Hunter' last='Bigelow'] earning a LB Top Performer spot. The elder Bigelow looks the part of a classic middle linebacker who has earned plenty of accolades for his play on the field back in Maryland. He's a quality overall athlete who has received D1 offers for lacrosse but has plenty of upside as a football player too. Bigelow has good feet and showed quality lateral quickness that benefitted him during the RBs vs LBs 1-on-1 drill. That was backed up by his testing numbers where he ran a sub-5-second 40, 4.47 pro shuttle, and 7.69 L Drill further proving what we saw the rest of the camp.rnrnBigelow is a physically built athlete which made it all the more impressive to see the athletic traits he showed in a camp setting without there being contact of a real game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663a91e853fa7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/B1gelowHunter/status/1787302412769763822","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/B1gelowHunter/status/1787302412769763822 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1139399"],"_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":"2026 Nicholas County LB [player_tooltip player_id='1139399' first='Devin' last='Nash'] was as prolific of a linebacker as there was last season in West Virginia as a sophomore and you could see why after seeing him in person for the first time. He's another well-built young linebacker who also has the athletic traits you're looking for in that position. Nash ran under 5 seconds in the 40, but it was his pro shuttle and L Drill times that stood out with times of 4.28 and 7.25 seconds. He was a tackling machine last season for the Grizzlies but was able to showcase his athletic side in a camp setting where he earned LB Top Performer honors from the college coaches evaluating him.rnrnNash currently sits on our 2026 Watch List but will see his name in our rankings in the summer update after a strong performance at the Combine.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["888605"],"_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":"It was great to see another 2026 LB prospect show out during the Combine and earn LB Top Performer honors in North Marion's [player_tooltip player_id='888605' first='Karter' last='Parson']. Parson recently moved from one of the smallest public schools in WV at Hundred to North Marion and was able to prove he could compete with some of the state's best as a former small school player. We saw him as a running back prospect heading into the event, but Parson worked out as a linebacker and opened our eyes along with everyone else's in attendance for that position.rnrnParson tested well and has made large strides in his athleticism since his freshman season. He was able to get under 5.1 seconds in the 40 as well as a solid 4.54 shuttle time and 7.65 in the L Drill. It will be fun to see how he performs at a much bigger school this season and next, but Parson had a great head start with a strong showing at the Combine.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663a91e854098"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best of the Rest</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909000"],"_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":"2025 John Marshall LB [player_tooltip player_id='909000' first='Maverick' last='Lemasters'] was another impressive linebacker prospect at the Combine who deserved to be mentioned with the best of the rest. He's coming off a great junior season for the Monarchs as a two-way running back and linebacker and has a bright future at the LB position. Lemasters stuck out right away from a physical standpoint and he plays with a lot of physicality as well. He tested well running a 4.8 40 and quick shuttle and L Drill times of 4.44 and 7.31 seconds.rnrnLemasters is plenty capable of being one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2025 class where he already ranks inside the Top 10 for the position. There are a lot of athletic traits and abilities to mold into a future college player who can earn some accolades at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1106018"],"_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":"Fairmont Senior's [player_tooltip player_id='1106018' first='Jeffrey' last='Cowger'] is another athletically gifted linebacker prospect who has primarily played defensive end in high school but worked out as a linebacker at the Combine. Although he's new to that position, Cowger still did some good things during the camp and was worth mentioning with some of the top linebackers in attendance. He'll only continue to get more comfortable at linebacker and has a very high ceiling for the position once he gets more reps and coaching.rnrnAs expected, Cowger tested very well as he ripped off a 4.65 40 which we saw on film when evaluating him before the event and will greatly benefit his progress as a linebacker prospect. Cowger will develop into a monster off the edge as an OLB at the next level as a natural pass rusher.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1126820"],"_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":"There is so much potential and upside with 2025 Independence LB [player_tooltip player_id='1126820' first='Dylan' last='Ritchie'] that he always flashes when watching him. He's a very long athlete who will need to make strides in filling out his frame but once he does, he's going to be a problem at the next level. Ritchie's length gave opposing players trouble in 1-on-1s and it's tough to complete a pass on him when he's in a good position to make a play. He also moves well for his size and looked better in that regard in person than what we saw from him last season on film.rnrnHis size will give him options in college, and it will depend on how much his body can transform over time to determine what position he fits best at in the future. If you're patient with him though, Ritchie can develop into a quality next-level player in time.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663a91e8541bf"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Dylan_Ritchie23/status/1787133419354300431","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dylan_Ritchie23/status/1787133419354300431 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907920"],"_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":"We were big fans of 2027 Mingo Central [player_tooltip player_id='907920' first='Taegan' last='Hackney']'s freshman film and it was good to get the chance to see him in person for the first time. Size will be the biggest question for him moving forward, but if he can keep growing he'll be one of the better linebacker prospects in the 2027 class. While he may not have the length you want right now, Hackney is impressively built for a freshman which gives him a great base to work from. He was very productive for the Miners in his first year of high school where he led the team in tackles.rnrnHackney is at his best on the football field during a real game setting, but getting work in a camp setting where he can focus on his coverage ability and work in the open field will only benefit him moving forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1126832"],"_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":"We've overlooked 2025 Chapmanville LB [player_tooltip player_id='1126832' first='Elijah' last='Pridemore'] until seeing him at the Combine, but he opened our eyes and firmly put himself on our radar after his performance. He was a WVSWA Class AA First Team All-State linebacker last season for the Tigers where he totaled over 130 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 6 sacks. While he may not have elite size for his position, Pridemore has quality athleticism and tested well for a linebacker. He ran a 4.84 40, 4.44 pro shuttle, and a 7.6-second L Drill which were some of the best out of the linebacker group in attendance. He showed good footwork and quick feet during individual drills and moves well both laterally and vertically.rnrnPridemore is a very good small college linebacker prospect who should see plenty of attention from D3 programs and possibly some D2 interest.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1087022"],"_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":"While the younger Bigelow didn't place inside the Top 5 LB Performers at the Combine that were chosen by the college coaches in attendance, 2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1087022' first='Parker' last='Bigelow'] still deserved a mention and recognition with the best of the rest. He's only going to continue to get better over the next three years but has shown flashes as a freshman that make you excited about his future. Bigelow was able to win some reps during 1-on-1s and did a nice job bouncing back from tougher reps. He was quality footwork for a freshman and will make further strides in that aspect of his gamernrnBigelow has been coached up well to this point and is an intelligent player for his age.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663a91e85432c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ParkerBige2027/status/1787276074117652558","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ParkerBige2027/status/1787276074117652558 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->