Building the Perfect Player: WV’s Ultimate ’26 DE/EDGE

<p><strong><em>The Combine Series Camp is returning to WV on May 3rd at the Highlands Sports Complex in Triadelphia, WV! Code PRZWVCombine25 will give you a discount when you registe</em>r <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1484/register/combine-series-west-virginia">HERE</a><em>!</em></strong></p>   <p>Nobody can reach perfection, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't chase it. A lineman with elite size, length, strength, get-off/burst, hand use, flexibility, and rush moves. The athletes in today's article are special and need to be on the radar and high up on the recruiting boards of college programs. Let's get into the lab and build our recruit!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SIZE AND FRAME</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Huntington DL [player_tooltip player_id='1138539' first='Max' last='Bohren'] has the ideal frame that you're looking for in a college defensive end prospect at 6'4 230 which earned him a spot on our Perfect 2026 EDGE/DE Build list. He's been a productive player for the Highlanders since his sophomore season and has continued to develop heading into his senior year. Bohren's 6'4 length gives him an advantage over offensive tackles and guards with the reach and wingspan to keep them from getting their hands inside. He also bends well for his size and can dip under blockers. Bohren's length allows him to cover a lot of ground as a run-stopper and enables him to stretch out plays to the outside.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PASS RUSH</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The most gifted pass rusher in the state of West Virginia almost unquestionably has to be 2026 Princeton EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='894897' first='Kalum' last='Kiser']. He's been an uber-productive player for the Tigers the past two seasons including 20 TFLs and 9 sacks as a junior in 2024. Kiser can put his hand in the dirt as a traditional DE or stand up as an EDGE rusher which is likely where he'll play at the next level. We got to see his pass rush ability in person at the Stock Up Showcase, where he had a dominating MVP performance and a natural feel for that role. What he lacks in length, Kiser makes up for in athleticism with great bend and flexibility paired with a lightning-quick first step and explosiveness. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>EXPLOSIVENESS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Nitro's [player_tooltip player_id='866256' first='Xavier' last='Patterson'] may be destined to play inside at the next level but had a tremendous junior season for the Wildcats as a DE in 2024. The 6'2 260 big man just earned his first well-deserved D1 offer from Morgan State further showing why he's our #1 DL prospect in the 2026 class. Patterson earned a spot on our Perfect EDGE/DE Build for his explosiveness as an exceptional athlete for his size. He fires off the line with very good quickness and force that led to 31 TFLs and 13.5 sacks as a junior. Patterson's first step catches tackles and guards off guard and can consistently split them to get backfield penetration. He has exceptional short-area quickness and agility that will earn him more D1 opportunities in the future. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ATHLETICISM</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Opposite [player_tooltip player_id='894897' first='Kalum' last='Kiser'] on the Princeton DL is our #1 EDGE prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1200316' first='Daniel' last='Jennings'] who added game-changing ability to both sides of the ball for the Tigers in 2024 after transferring in from Graham (VA). The Penn State commit has P4 athleticism and showcased that on offense and defense rushing for 1,300 yards and 23 touchdowns along with 12.5 TFLs and 10 sacks on defense. He'll also more than likely be a stand-up EDGE rusher for the Nittany Lions in the future with gifted traits for that position. Jennings moves fluidly and effortlessly, especially in condensed space with very good lateral quickness and the speed to run down quarterbacks from the backside. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>STRENGTH</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best defensive line prospects in the state of West Virginia for the 2026 class is Oak Hill's [player_tooltip player_id='928035' first='James' last='Ludwig'] who places on our Perfect EDGE/DE Build for strength. Ludwig is a stout 6'3 230 defensive end who's also athletic but shows physical strength and physicality on film. He has the potential to continue to grow into an interior defensive lineman at the next level given his frame and has reps at that alignment on his junior tape as well. Ludwig is a high-effort player and pursues the ball relentlessly. His power jumps out when watching his film and makes it difficult for offensive linemen to slow him down with a powerful bull rush and good use of his hands as well. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>QUICKNESS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1127296' first='Shamar' last='Smith'] is a bit of an unconventional EDGE/DE prospect given his 5'10 200 frame and even played inside at times last season. His quickness and agility are what placed him on our Perfect EDGE/DE Player build. Smith's size benefits him at the high school level being able to dip under longer offensive linemen and being too quick off the line to cleanly block him. He's explosive coming out of his stance and consistently penetrates into the backfield to create havoc. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BEND</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1138541' first='Frankie' last='Urias'] proved to be a quality addition to the state champion Martinsburg roster last season as a defensive end. The 6'3 215 rising senior earned a spot on our Perfect EDGE/DE Player build for his ability to bend and get under opposing offensive tackles as a plus athlete for the position. Urias plays with low leverage coming out of his stance and maintains balance while pass-rushing. Another trait that jumped out when watching his junior tape was how assignment and technique sound he was containing his side of the field and being patient to not over pursue the play. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MOTOR</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The first trait that came to mind when watching 2026 Parkersburg South EDGE/DE [player_tooltip player_id='894890' first='Kaidyn' last='Johnson']'s film was how big of a motor he had when pursuing the ball. Johnson's effort didn't go unnoticed when watching his tape and is relentless to the ball. You'll often find him running ball carriers down from behind sometimes even 10-15+ yards down the field. Johnson does a nice job of stretching outside runs to the sideline as well. His pursuit of the ball even when it's not to his play side is admirable and will earn him some college looks paired with his other traits. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>UPSIDE</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Huntington 2026 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1538857' first='Braxton' last='Mount'] was new to our radar this season and he really flashed a ton of potential as a DE prospect. Mount is a long and athletic prospect with a basketball background who has a high ceiling for the position if he continues to develop. He ranks as a Top 5 DL prospect based on upside and potential and should take a big step forward during his senior year for the Highlanders. Mount's length and athleticism cause issues for opposing offensive linemen and are the top two traits he utilizes to make plays. Once Mount further learns the technique of the position, his other traits paired with continued development will allow him to become a high-level DE at the college level. </p>

The Combine Series Camp is returning to WV on May 3rd at the Highlands Sports Complex in Triadelphia, WV! Code PRZWVCombine25 will give you a discount when you register HERE!