WV Combine Series: Evaluating the Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Code PRZWV30 for a discount on your subscription at checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 West Virginia Combine Series camp took place at the beautiful indoor Highlands Sports Complex in Triadelphia, WV, on Saturday, with over 75 WV prospects competing and learning from college coaches across the state and region. Here is our evaluation of every running back in attendance at the camp!</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":["1307512"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd660"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Winfield RB [player_tooltip player_id='1307512' first='Chris' last='Radcliffe'] stole the show at the WV Combine Series this past weekend. The 5'8 185 running back earned our overall MVP to pair with his RB MVP to cap off a dominant day. Radcliffe looked the part both physically and athletically with a shaped build and proved he has high-level raw athleticism during combine testing. He's a fluid mover who effortlessly changes direction and can contort his body during routes and when making a play on the ball. Radcliffe has the speed and explosiveness to be considered one of the top RB prospects in the 2026 class, which his ranking will show in the upcoming rankings update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneWV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneWV</a> for helping me maximize my opportunities! Awarded 2025 Combine MVP and Combine RB MVP‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/winfieldhsfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@winfieldhsfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRSmith1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRSmith1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRod_McD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRod_McD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTyAesch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTyAesch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBradleyWVU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBradleyWVU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NCEC_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCEC_Recruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EMUFBRecruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EMUFBRecruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GordonCohagan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GordonCohagan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_JFields?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_JFields</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LimitlessLeem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LimitlessLeem</a> <a href="https://t.co/jRAA9Sg2Nq">pic.twitter.com/jRAA9Sg2Nq</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1307512' first='Chris' last='Radcliffe'] (@radc2963) <a href="https://twitter.com/radc2963/status/1919376483258085385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":["1260005"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd6cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jefferson's [player_tooltip player_id='1652519' first='Tre'Von' last='Ledbetter'] is a versatile athlete who can play numerous positions on the football field, as noted by his Top 5 ATH ranking in the 2026 class. He earned a Top 3 RB Performer mention from his position coach at Saturday's camp as one of the top athletes in attendance. Ledbetter's long and lanky build will give him options for which position he eventually settles in at the next level, with the most likely landing spots being WR or Safety. He has the athletic traits to have success at either position and proved during the camp he has the route-running ability and athleticism to move to receiver, where he was ranked in the past. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top 3 RB Top Performer 2026 Jefferson ATH <a href="https://twitter.com/treyboog_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@treyboog_</a> <br><br>Can play a multitude of positions as a versatile athlete with athletic upside! 👇<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wvprepfb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wvprepfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PRZCombineSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PRZCombineSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/av1q6LHkSn">pic.twitter.com/av1q6LHkSn</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone West Virginia (@PrepRedzoneWV) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneWV/status/1919107689440817309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326524"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd712"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Parkersburg South Patriots will be searching for a new bell cow at the running back position this year, and they may have one in 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1326524' first='James' last='Lattea']. Lattea earned a Top 3 RB Performer spot from his position coach and performed well during 1-on-1s. Lattea saw a lot of varsity action as a sophomore last season, primarily at linebacker, where he performed well, but his size and athleticism could allow him to settle in at running back for the next two seasons. Lattea is a good route runner out of the backfield, winning all three of his best vs best 1-on-1 reps at the final portion of Saturday's camp, and looked the part athletically throughout the day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top 3 RB Performer 2027 Parkersburg South RB <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesLatte11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesLatte11</a> <br><br>Promising sophomore for the Patriots who has the tools to develop into their next star RB! 👇<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wvprepfb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wvprepfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PRZCombineSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PRZCombineSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/wzvvOmrh4P">pic.twitter.com/wzvvOmrh4P</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone West Virginia (@PrepRedzoneWV) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneWV/status/1919124878722040306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>UNDER-THE-RADAR NAMES TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624361"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd753"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keyer 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624361' first='Dominik' last='Crawford'] is one of the early top running backs in the freshman class with a bright future ahead of him. Physically, he doesn't look like most freshmen at his position and has athletic traits as well that he can build on over the next three years. Crawford really flashed as a freshman on the varsity squad this past season and will be a headache for defenses for the next three years. He has a natural feel as a pass catcher out of the backfield as well and is naturally gifted athletically, which will pay dividends for his future development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1154705"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd7a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buffalo's [player_tooltip player_id='1154705' first='Grant' last='Weaver'] is a versatile athlete who worked out as a running back at Saturday's camp but can move around positionally. He first came on our radar as a freshman quarterback for the Bison but was likely to move to a different skill position in the future based on his skill set as a player. Weaver saw time behind center this past season as well but fits in well at RB or DB with pass-catching potential as well. He's a quick, balanced runner with change of direction ability and the type of athlete that you can plug and play into a variety of roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663609"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd7e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Marion's [player_tooltip player_id='1663609' first='Blake' last='Edgell'] is a name to tuck away as his varsity role increases over the next two years. He has a physically put-together build for his size and has RB and LB versatility. Edgell's game would be better suited in pads with real contact, where he can use his solid frame and build. He looks the part physically in person and should see an increase in opportunities on the field this fall on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221846"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd824"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bridgeport will have another plug-and-play running back coming up their ranks in 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1221846' first='Zach' last='Hickman']. Hickman had a great first season for the Indians' younger team and will fit in nicely in their single-wing scheme. He has a natural feel for their system and will continue to get more comfortable in camp settings with more experience in the future, which is vastly different than what he plays in high school. You could see his name on Friday nights as soon as his upcoming sophomore season with Bridgeport searching for their new bevy of running backs after some big losses to graduation from their state championship team last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664192"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd89d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Buffalo RB/ATH to know is [player_tooltip player_id='1664192' first='Andrew' last='Neal'], who was a valuable depth piece for the Bison in 2024. Neal has a good frame that could be molded into a few different positions. If he can add weight to his 6'0 frame, Neal will level up his game greatly and could even play linebacker at the next level. He's a one-cut-and-go style of runner on offense, and if he can add size, Neal can be a power back on offense as a between-the-tackles downhill runner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665146"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68195bf0cd8d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Once 2028 Musselman RB [player_tooltip player_id='1665146' first='Daniel' last='Armstrong']'s body catches up to his athleticism and instincts, he'll make leaps in his ability. That's to be expected from most freshmen and is something that just takes time and patience but will pay off for Armstrong in the future. You can tell he has a good understanding of the running back position and can be utilized in a few different roles on the field. Armstrong will make strides as a player and prospect over the next three years after some time physically developing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->