2025 Final Rankings Update Defensive Stock Risers

Code PRZWV30 for 30% off your subscription!   The 2024 WV high school football season was completed last weekend and now it's time to officially put a cap on the talented 2025 class with our final rankings update. Here are the defensive prospects who were previously ranked and had stock-rising seasons.   PRZWV is hosting a Stock-Up Showcase in Bridgeport, WV on Jan. 5th! Click <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1335/register/west-virginia-stock-up-showcase">here</a> for more info and use code WVPRZ2024 for a discount!    2025 Roane County RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1106035' first='Lane' last='Watson'] had a tremendous senior season for the Raiders on both sides of the ball. Watson rushed for 2,200 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 114 tackles and 20 TFLs on defense while lifting his team to a Class AA State Championship appearance. He has the ideal combination of size and athleticism to play linebacker at the D1 level where he's gotten some looks this year. Watson finishes in our 2025 rankings as a Top 20 prospect and the #3 LB in the class with one of the highest upsides among seniors for the next level. Watson is quiet on social media last posting an offer from D1 VMI in July, but we expect there's been more interest from that level behind the scenes.     Another linebacker who had a big rise in our final 2025 rankings update was Bridgeport's [player_tooltip player_id='908114' first='Donovan' last='Williams']. He emerged as a clear top linebacker in this class after previously being ranked as a TE. His ceiling for the linebacker position is immense as a very good athlete with good size who can continue getting bigger in college. Williams is quick both laterally and vertically and plays well in space from his outside linebacker spot. He earned a PWO spot from Mercyhurst in November but is a scholarship-level FCS prospect in our eyes and a steal if he falls to D2 as a definite steal.     The 2025 linebacker class in West Virginia this season was loaded and Frankfort's [player_tooltip player_id='908991' first='Jullian' last='Pattison'] was at the top for best performances this year. He was excellent on offense as well for the Falcons as one of their bell cows in their Wing-T which earned them a Class AA state title. His future at the next level is likely at linebacker though where he's improved a ton since first seeing him as a sophomore two years ago. Pattison has gotten much more athletic in the past two seasons and put it all together as a senior which paid dividends for him and his team. He's a must-offer for D2 programs around the state.     Our Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year Martinsburg LB [player_tooltip player_id='1034976' first='Ace' last='Flores'] was one of the highest stock risers in the 2025 class in our final update. He put up video game numbers this season for the Bulldogs in an expanded role helping lead a stingy defense that finished with a state title. Flores is a tenacious middle linebacker who plays the position the way it was meant to be played. He lived in opposing offenses' backfields this season resulting in tremendous production behind the line of scrimmage. Flores seeks out and finds the ball at a high level and is a prospect that FCS and D2 programs should continue looking at.      Another fantastic two-way player this season who made a big jump in the final rankings was Bridgeport RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1306464' first='Alex' last='Moses']. Colleges may have their preference for which side of the ball they like him the most at, but defensive back feels like a natural fit for him. He could thrive at the next level once he fully commits to one position with the natural athleticism and playmaking ability to develop his game further. Moses seemingly scored on every other touch on offense as a running back in their single-wing and showed he has the speed and explosiveness to break a big play consistently. Moses has gotten a lot of D2 attention this year and should have a very good college career at that level.      The trend of stock-rising linebackers continues with Wheeling Park's [player_tooltip player_id='908990' first='Jameson' last='Maynard'] who had a great season for the Patriots as the leader of their defense. Maynard totaled 131 tackles and 17 TFLs along with picking off 3 passes and providing great value as a TE on offense. The first play on his senior tape shows you how good of an athlete Maynard is housing a punt return up the middle while evading defenders which you don't often see from a LB prospect. Maynard would likely clock a 4.6 40 as one of the more athletic linebackers in this class. His ceiling for the position could even be higher than 9th in the class and is a clear FCS or D2 level prospect if he doesn't elect to wrestle in college.      2025 Preston LB [player_tooltip player_id='897606' first='Ethan' last='Likens'] forced our hand for a bump in the rankings and now sits inside of the Top 150 of the 2025 class. He picked up his first offer from Fairmont State earlier this month and further helped his stock in our rankings by proving he's a D2-caliber prospect. While his size and athleticism may not stand out as much as some higher-ranked linebackers on the list, Likens' play on the field this season demanded a closer evaluation from us and a jump up the ranks. He totaled 118 tackles and 18 TFLs for the Knights and is your classic downhill run-stopping middle linebacker with a throwback play style. Likens is worthy of more D2 looks by signing day and could be a hidden gem for his future college program.      2025 Martinsburg DB [player_tooltip player_id='897594' first='Brayden' last='Miller'] settled in nicely on the back end of the Bulldogs' state championship defense and raised his stock inside of our Top 100 rankings. He's a versatile athlete who helped as a returner on special teams and made some plays in the passing game on offense, but safety feels like his most natural spot at the next level in our eyes. Miller is a ballhawk as a deep safety who has the speed to cover ground quickly when roaming on the back end of the defense. He also showed natural instincts as a DB and put himself in good positions to make plays on the ball. Miller picked up his first offer from WV State in November and should see some more D2 opportunities soon.      [player_tooltip player_id='908994' first='Braeden' last='Booth'] flipped over to our new EDGE position in the rankings where he ranks as the #3 prospect at that spot after showing great pass rush ability this season at OLB. Given his size and athleticism, Booth could still play a traditional OLB role in college but his skillset as a pass rusher was notable on film. He's very quick off the edge and can get to the quarterback quickly if there isn't a TE aligned to his side of the field. Being a shorter athlete compared to some other EDGE rushers benefits his ability to duck under offensive tackles and race by them. He can also change direction quickly mid-rush and can set contain well from the edge as well. Booth has yet to post an offer on social media but D2 programs should be taking a close look at him.      Huntington's [player_tooltip player_id='1024773' first='Landon' last='Miller'] led the Highlanders in tackles this season and added good size since our last rankings update which resulted in a bump inside of the Top 150. He posted an offer from West Liberty in October and will be a good fit at a D2 program that could outplay his rank in the future after spending time in a college strength program. The 15-pound difference from last season is noticeable on film both physically and being stronger with plenty of more room to grow in his 5'11 frame. Miller is versatile in being able to play outside and inside which will depend on how much bigger he gets at the college level for where he inevitably ends up at.      We had a D3 grade on 2025 Parkersburg South DL [player_tooltip player_id='1226812' first='Tyson' last='Wagoner'] before the season but this season has us thinking differently. After seeing him live at the PRZ Combine and having another very good senior season, it wouldn't surprise us if a D2 program takes a flyer on him. Wagoner may not have elite measurables or athleticism but his play on the field has consistently been very good for the Patriots and could demand colleges to overlook those traits. He's quick off the line for his size and consistently gets penetration into the backfield as an interior defensive lineman. Wagoner will be a steal for a D3 program if he ends up there but is certainly worthy of D2 attention.     [player_tooltip player_id='1228131' first='Deuce' last='McClain'] had a great senior season for a reviving St. Albans squad at safety and is receiving D2 looks. He's undersized but very athletic and a courageous player on the field even with physical limitations.   Here's what we recently said about McClain after seeing him in person at the Winter Exposure Showcase:   "He led St. Albans in tackles this season with 90 and totaled 8 PDs and an interception from his safety spot. McClain is a bit undersized but is a plus athlete and a fearless player who doesn't shy away from contact. He attacks the ball in the air and when supporting coming downhill."      We last ranked 2025 Hurricane DB [player_tooltip player_id='1119838' first='Jai'Den' last='Smith'] based on limited junior game film but have now gotten a bigger sample size which resulted in a bump in the rankings. Smith finished third on the team in tackles and had an interception this season for the Redskins as a safety. He has quality size for the position and can continue to fill out at the college level where he earned an offer from WV State earlier this month. Smith may get overshadowed a bit on a talented roster with several D1 prospects, but don't overlook the value he can provide to a D2 program. He has the tools to develop into a future college starter with his size and athleticism who is still flying under the radar.     Another Hurricane Redskin who had a stock-rising senior season was LB [player_tooltip player_id='908987' first='Joey' last='Quijano']. We highlighted him as a first four weeks stock riser and he continued to finish the season strong with 66 tackles and 16 TFLs at middle linebacker. Quijano is a bit undersized length-wise but doesn't let that affect his play on the field. He pursues the ball very well and gets downhill quickly with bad intent. Quijano has the athleticism to rush the passer from inside and can drop into coverage as well and make a play on the ball. He's still an under-the-radar prospect with just one offer this season coming from UPike and WV State during the summer, but you can overlook Quijano's size if you're a D2 program.      We've written a ton about Bridgeport DL [player_tooltip player_id='450992' first='Wes' last='Brown Jr'] the past two years and rightfully so as one of the state's best big men. He capped off an impressive high school career with a great senior season that finished with a state championship ring with possible accolades coming his way soon. We've consistently labeled Brown Jr as an FCS prospect even with some length concerns, and Mercyhurst extended him an opportunity last month. He's a scholarship-level FCS prospect in our eyes still and would likely be an FBS-caliber player if he were a few inches taller. Still, Brown Jr is too explosive and powerful for college programs to overlook and is very much deserving of D1 offers.

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