2024 WV Team Preview: Huntington Highlanders

For a discounted subscription to view all of our content, use Code PRZWV30 at checkout for 30% off!   The Huntington Highlanders have their eyes set on a Class AAAA State Championship in 2024 and the argument could be made for them to be the favorites. They have a handful of D1 prospects at this current juncture with more likely to emerge over the next few years. The Highlanders did a great job bolstering their offensive line with some key transfers and added one of the state's top athletes, [player_tooltip player_id='450988' first='Keegan' last='Sack'], to pair with their already-loaded returning skill group. According to our rankings, Huntington has the top 2025 and 2026 prospects in the state, with highly ranked prospects all over the field at every position. This feels like their best team since the 2021 State Champion team and we'll learn if that statement holds quickly with tough matchups with Hurricane and defending champion Martinsburg the first two weeks of the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 TEAM SCHEDULE</h2>   08/30 (A) Hurricane 09/06 (A) Martinsburg 09/13 (H) St. Albans 09/20 (A) Riverside 09/27 (-) Open 10/04 (A) Cabell Midland 10/11 (A) Spring Valley 10/18 (H) South Charleston 10/25 (H) Capital 11/01 (A) Parkersburg 11/08 (H) Linsly   2024 Record Prediction: 10-0 2023 Record: 11-2   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>    The Huntington Highlanders have the top overall prospect in West Virginia with 2025 RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='370477' first='Zah' last='Jackson']. The WVU commit has won back-to-back Carl Lee awards as the state's top defensive back and totaled 57 tackles, 8 PBUs, and 5 interceptions as a junior. Jackson also paced the Highlanders' running game and doubled as a fantastic offensive weapon, rushing for 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns. He's a do-it-all athlete and a rare talent in the state who can be dangerous in the passing and return game as well.   Jackson has all of the athletic tangibles to be a successful P4 college athlete in the future but has one more high school season to go with few accolades left to earn.      Huntington received a huge addition to their program when former George Washington RB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='450988' first='Keegan' last='Sack'] announced he would be taking his D1 talents to Huntington High for his senior year to join up with a host of other top talent in the Highlanders' program. The Air Force commit is a versatile athlete who should fit in perfectly in their backfield which already had Jackson and a talented defensive back group. It'll be interesting to watch how they'll utilize Sack and Jackson together as they both can slide out to receiver as well if needed. I'm sure they can find ways to get both of them equal opportunities on offense as Huntington has an embarrassment of riches on their roster.   Sack's versatility and D1 athleticism will give his coaches plenty of options of how they want to utilize his dynamic skillset and will be exciting to watch unfold during his senior year.      QB1 [player_tooltip player_id='487111' first='Avonte' last='Crawford'] should take a step forward in 2024 as a quarterback after a successful first season as the starter last season. Crawford is a D1 athlete in our eyes as a QB or ATH with the athletic versatility to play multiple other positions in college. He'll have quite likely the top skill player group in the state to spread the ball around to with dynamic playmakers lined up all over the field. Crawford's high-level athleticism allows him to have great footwork and mobility in the pocket and executes RPOs well. His best attribute as a passer to this point is the touch he puts on his throws and accurate ball placement at multiple levels of the passing game.   Crawford is a poised presence who stands tall in the pocket and has one final mission as the QB1 at Huntington.      2025 Huntington WR [player_tooltip player_id='907232' first='Jamari' last='Tubbs'] is ready to have his best season yet and showcase his full capabilities in what should be a high-powered offense. You saw flashes of his dynamic potential as a junior in a crowded WR room with more opportunities available for his senior year. While he'll still have to share touches with a talented cast of offensive playmakers, Tubbs can make himself standout even further with college opportunities sure to come in bunches this season. Tubbs can be a deep play threat in their offense and did a nice job working the sidelines last season. He's slippery in the open field and a difficult 1-on-1 tackle who often needs multiple defenders to corral him.   Tubbs' senior season could cause him to be a big stock riser not only in our rankings but as a college prospect as well.      Another weapon for Huntington to utilize this season in a larger capacity is 2025 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1126314' first='Taviun' last='Chandler']. He's a long athlete who doubles as a talented basketball player in his own right but has a tremendous football ceiling as a receiver or defensive back. 6'4 and athletic are traits that can't be taught or coached and Chandler has the natural foundation to build himself into a sought-after prospect. He should earn plenty more opportunities on offense during his senior year and will give great snaps on defense as well. If Chandler can prove he can utilize his length and athleticism closer to his full potential, it would not surprise us if D1 programs came knocking.   The raw talent is there for him to get that point in time and we look forward to seeing Chandler raise his ceiling even further as a senior.      Another great addition to the Huntington program at a position of need was former George Washington Kicker [player_tooltip player_id='909092' first='Jordan' last='Price']. He'll have big shoes to fill in Fulton Walker award winner Jonny Aya-ay who is now at Marshall, but Price is plenty talented in his own right. He was a reliable specialist as a junior for the Patriots and handled all of the kicking and punting duties last season. Price went 50/54 on PATs and converted on both of his field goal attempts with a long of 35 yards in 2023. He's a top 3 specialist in the 2025 class according to our rankings with the potential to climb even higher with another strong season in 2024. Price has a powerful leg with serious pop behind his swings which you can see on his kickoff film. The leg strength he showed in that regard leads you to believe he can extend his range on field goals beyond 40 yards comfortably.   Price could handle punting duties at a high level this season again if [player_tooltip player_id='894642' first='Tayveon' last='Wilson'] doesn't continue those, but he has a high ceiling as a placekicker who is a definite scholarship-level prospect.      Another transfer addition to the Huntington program who should earn a starting spot is former Spring Valley 2025 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1126401' first='Titus' last='Pratt']. The Highlanders were in need of some offensive line replacements after graduating some talented athletes and Pratt has the potential to slide right in at one of those spots.   Here's what we recently said about Pratt in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2025-prospects-new-to-the-top-175-pt-one/">2025 rankings New Additions article</a>:   "2025 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1126401' first='Titus' last='Pratt']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/titus-pratt/"></a> will be making the short move from Spring Valley to Huntington for his final high school season which could improve our views of him if he performs at a high level on one of the state's best teams. He'll have to earn a starting spot with the Highlanders who will boast one of the top offensive line groups in the state, but if he does so, Pratt will surely be a stock riser in our final rankings update after the season. His 6'1 265 size puts him on that D2/D3 border like many other offensive line prospects in this 150-200 ranking range. Pratt was an effective puller at left guard for Spring Valley last season with versatility to snap as well. Huntington will be looking for a new center this season, so Pratt could slide right in there or battle for one of the guard spots which will have some tough competition."      An underrated and under-the-radar linebacker prospect in the 2-25 class is Huntington's [player_tooltip player_id='1024773' first='Landon' last='Miller']. He's been a steady presence in the Highlanders' linebacker group and should build on the quality junior campaign that he had. Although a bit undersized for the position, Miller is an athletic outside linebacker prospect who can cover the slot and drop into zones in pass coverage. His style of play makes up for his lack of prototypical LB size as an attacking player. Miller pursues the ball well with high effort and quality speed and plays well in space due to his athleticism. He's quick to the ball and is an aggressive tackler who will also play between the tackles and is stout in traffic.   Miller should cap off his high school career with a strong senior season and make his name more known in his final year.      A second big man addition to the Huntington program who could make an impact this season for the Highlanders is former Lincoln County OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='875762' first='Josiah' last='Stratton']. Stratton has potential on both sides of the line and should see significant time in one or both spots. We'll see where he ends up ultimately, but Stratton is a definite college prospect who should earn more next-level opportunities this season at a program with a lot of eyes on it.   Here's what we recently said about Stratton in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2025-prospects-new-to-the-top-200-pt-3/">2025 rankings New Additions article</a>:   "2025 OL [player_tooltip player_id='875762' first='Josiah' last='Stratton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/josiah-stratton/"></a> will be making the big move to one of the state's best programs at Huntington High for his final high school season which could end up paying off in a big way for him. He'll have some tough competition to earn a starting spot with Highlanders, but Stratton has shown some good things on film to date and was a two-year starter for Lincoln County as a sophomore and junior. He'll compete for a guard spot at his new program after starting at left tackle for the Panthers. This move should greatly benefit him with his 6'0 265 size but the experience at tackle will aid him with the move. Stratton has the ideal size for a small college guard and has shown quality footwork at tackle in the past that can develop into an impressive and physically imposing interior run blocker."      Nobody in the state and few in the region has had a bigger blow-up on the recruiting trail than 2026 Huntington WR [player_tooltip player_id='894642' first='Tayveon' last='Wilson']. Wilson is well over double-digit D1 offers with 9 of them being from the P4 level as he is well on his way to being a national recruit. He earned the coveted #1 overall rankings in the 2026 class after some shakeup in the state and joins fellow #1 overall prospect in the 2025 class [player_tooltip player_id='370477' first='Zah' last='Jackson'] in the Huighlanders' skill group. Wilson is just a phenomenal natural athlete with the size that gives him an elite ceiling as a football prospect. You got a glimpse of what he's capable of as a sophomore and should put an exclamation point on the field this season to cement his ability further.   Wilson can do just about anything athletically but is a natural playmaker on the football field and will be exciting to watch him develop even further over the next two seasons.      [player_tooltip player_id='866257' first='Mason' last='Ramsey'] was another tremendous addition to the Huntington program making the short trip over from Cabell Midland for his final two years. Ramsey moved up to our #1 OL rankings after some movement in the state and placed as a Top 3 prospect in the 2026 class. He'll sure up the Highlanders' offensive line which lost our #1 2024 prospect to graduation in Robbie Martin and is a great candidate to take over that empty left tackle spot. His college future may be at guard depending on further growth but Ramsey is a D1 prospect with multiple offers from that level before his junior year has begun. Ramsey is a big physical athlete with the athleticism to be able to bend and move like a D1 prospect does. He's a powerful athlete with very strong hands and a devastating punch that makes him a well-rounded offensive lineman in his still young career.   More D1 opportunities should come his way this season as he settles in at his new program.      Another potential D1 big man prospect who will likely be playing next to Ramsey is 2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='866258' first='Aryn' last='McPherson']. We believe McPherson has the talent and potential to one day play at that level as he continues to develop and transform his body. He earned his first offer from D2 WV State earlier this summer and is already getting on college radars heading into his junior year. McPherson is a massive young athlete with a perfect guard body type that should have colleges following him closely over the next two years. He's a mauling run blocker who can further maximize his athletic potential to increase his ceiling more. McPherson is a great finisher and plays with a clear edge who likes to play the bully on the field.   He's another young Highlander with an exciting future who will be fun to watch develop over the next two seasons.      Speaking of exciting young Huntington players, 2026 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1138539' first='Max' last='Bohren'] is another rising junior in the program with a high ceiling. We got to see him in person at our PRZ WV Combine back in May where he earned DL Top Performer honors and an impressive-looking young athlete. Bohren ranks inside of our Top 15 as the #2 DL in the class but has the potential to climb even higher with continued progression. He has a high athletic ceiling which paired with his 6'4 length makes him a potential future D1 prospect. You saw flashes of said great potential in his sophomore film and should take a big step forward in his junior year. Bohren is a tenacious player off the end and crashes the edge hard with ill intentions. Once he gets in that 230-240 pound range, Bohren is going to be an animal at defensive end and a nightmare to block at the high school level.   He's one to keep a close eye on this season and next with clear high-level potential and upside.      2026 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='866678' first='Bryce' last='Winkfield'] is ready to make his name more known and break out for his junior year. While he'll still have some talented and older players in front of him at running back, Winkfield could earn significant playing time on defense this season at linebacker as the Highlanders look to fill spots there. His future is likely at running back given his size and skill set, but Winkfield is a talented all-around athlete who can help the team in a variety of ways. He's a physically built young athlete with a good combination of speed and power which he flashed as a sophomore. In limited playing time during spot duty last season, Winkfield averaged over 13 yards per carry and made the most of his opportunities.   That bodes well for his future and you should see more of that this season as he builds up to a highly anticipated senior season in 2025.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1229714' first='Wyatt' last='Adkins'] - OL | 2025 Watch List [player_tooltip player_id='1260046' first='Donte' last='Newsome'] - ATH | 2027 Top 60 [player_tooltip player_id='1154923' first='Nymir' last='Bryant'] - TE | 2027 Top 60 [player_tooltip player_id='863631' first='Ilias' last='King'] - LB | 2027 Top 60 [player_tooltip player_id='920512' first='Andreas' last='Reese'] - ATH | 2027 Top 60 [player_tooltip player_id='1272161' first='Jeremiah' last='Lyles'] - DL | 2027 Watch List [player_tooltip player_id='1330188' first='Collin' last='Gadd'] - OL | 2027 Watch List

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