2026 Rankings Update Defensive Stock Risers

Code PRZWV30 for 30% off your subscription!   The 2024 WV high school football season has completed and now it's time to spotlight the 2026 class with the winter rankings update. Here are the offensive prospects who were previously ranked and had stock-rising seasons.    After a setback during his sophomore season due to injury, 2026 Parkersburg South EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='894890' first='Kaidyn' last='Johnson'] is back in the Top 100 with a bounce-back junior year. Johnson has grown into an EDGE body at 6'2 215 and saw traditional DE reps this season as well. Growing into a true DL body is a possibility in the future, but Johnson appears to have the athleticism off the edge to play EDGE at the next level. He's a physical presence on the end with the wingspan to stretch out outside runs and crash the edge. Johnson also has pass-rush ability and can continue to develop that aspect of his game.      2026 Morgantown DB [player_tooltip player_id='1139034' first='Zaiiden' last='Lockett'] made the jump from JV to varsity this season as we expected and had a strong year for the Mohigans. Lockett provided a lot of value in all three phases of the game but played well as a box safety on defense. While he's not the biggest athlete, Lockett plays very physically and above his size. He plays the run really well and can walk up to the line of scrimmage as a linebacker too. Lockett plays with great effort and tenacity and is always flying to the ball while being a sure tackler.      2026 University P [player_tooltip player_id='1137053' first='Jimmy' last='Gregg'] remains the top specialist in his class but makes the jump inside of the Top 10 after another strong year of punting. Gregg is a P4 scholarship punter who recently received a full scholarship from the new staff at WVU with heavy interest from other programs like Ole Miss among others. He's considered one of, if not the top punter in the nation in the 2026 class and is a true weapon on special teams who can consistently flip the field and pin opposing offenses deep in their territory.      2026 Nicholas County LB [player_tooltip player_id='1139399' first='Devin' last='Nash'] continues his upward trajectory in the rankings after back-to-back strong seasons and performances at PRZ WV Camps. Nash was a two-way threat for the Grizzlies as a junior rushing for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns while eclipsing over 150 total tackles. He was recently named LB MVP at our Stock Up Showcase earlier this month whose play on the field matches his camp performances warranting a bump in the rankings.      We nearly ranked 2026 Chapmanville prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1139377' first='Preston' last='Kovach'] as an EDGE but elected to keep him at LB for now with the potential to flip in future updates. Kovach has added size since our last update and looks noticeably bigger on film. He played much more freely and quicker this season compared to his sophomore film which also benefitted his rankings bump. Kovach led the Tigers in tackles and TFLs with 125 and 17 respectively. He comes downhill very physically often knocking back runners and stopping them in their tracks. Kovach may outgrow a traditional LB spot in time, but has the skillset to move to EDGE if needed.      Injuries slowed down 2026 Nitro LB [player_tooltip player_id='894973' first='Lyric' last='Berger'] during his junior season but his primed for a bigger role as a senior for the Wildcats who have one of the top linebacker units in the state heading into the 2025 season. Even though he never fully got going this season, we're betting on Berger having his breakout season as a senior and further showing what he's capable of. Berger looked quick and physical on film and made a big leap from his sophomore to junior year. He still hasn't reached his potential as a prospect, and we're eager to see him at his best next season.      Spending time in the Maetinsburg program was a huge benefit to 2026 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1138227' first='Jordan' last='Kovacs'] as he saw a bump in his ranking. His transformation from seeing him in the Spring at the PRZ WV Combine to on the field for the Bulldogs was massive. Kovacs earned a starting role along the defensive line for the state champions and saw his fair share of reps on the offensive line too but best translates to the defensive side of the ball. As he continues to grow and add strength, his ceiling will increase as a prospect with flashes throughout his junior tape.      The 2026 DB class is still sorting itself out and waiting for someone to firmly take over the #1 spot permanently and Capital's [player_tooltip player_id='1138997' first='Damian' last='Johnson'] made a great case for that this season. Johnson stuffed the stat sheet for the Cougars picking off 5 passes including 3 for touchdowns, breaking up 6 passes, and forcing 6 fumbles. He's a bit undersized but is very athletic and has a knack for the ball resulting in his high production. Johnson has very good closing speed and has a natural instinct for jumping routes.      The top interior defensive lineman in the 2026 class is Morgantown's [player_tooltip player_id='1138540' first='Zevon' last='Shipman'] who just keeps getting bigger and stronger. Shipman moves well even while adding more size and pursues the ball well for an athlete his size. He's a powerful athlete and very strong at the point of attack often driving opposing offensive linemen backward. Shipman is an interior disruptor who can blow up inside runs through penetration or by knocking his man back. If he continues to progress, Shipman has the potential to garner D1 looks in his senior year.      The aforementioned talented Nitro linebacker group is led by [player_tooltip player_id='894666' first='Wyatt' last='Sowards'] who totaled 126 tackles and 11 TFLs as a junior for the Wildcats. While he's not quite as big as his teammates, Sowards is a tenacious inside linebacker and is a strong run-stopper from his MLB spot. He's quick to the ball and will come downhill and stop runners in their tracks. Sowards is always around the ball playing with great effort and is quick in pursuit. He'll be a name that D2 programs should be looking into heading into his senior year.      A second Capital DB that we really like is [player_tooltip player_id='1139000' first='Jamal' last='Dotson'] who's a safety prospect to know for the Cougars. He and Johnson are a very good tandem in Capital's secondary where he picked off three passes and totaled 69 tackles and 6 pass breakups as a junior. Dotson is versatile in having the ability to play the run and the pass with quality size to do both. He can get downhill quickly in run support and quick passes but has the athleticism to patrol the back end as well. Dotson earned an offer from WV State before his junior season and should add to that list this year.      The linebacker position in the 2026 class is another spot that's still up for grabs in the rankings for someone to cement themselves as the top LB. Independence's [player_tooltip player_id='1139374' first='Landon' last='Riddle'] has been very good the past two seasons for the Patriots and takes over that #1 spot in this update. He popped on his junior highlight tape and plays the position the way we like to see it played. Riddle is a highly physical player which is also evident in his TE reps on offense. Independence is a program that excels in developing tough and aggressive linebackers, and Riddle is continuing that lineage. He's versatile in rushing the passer and coming downhill in run support with bad intentions in each facet.

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