2028 Rankings Debut: The Top 90

The 2028 West Virginia rankings have made their long-awaited debut as an up-and-coming rising sophomore class begins to make their names known. This class has the potential to be one of the most talented groups of prospects in recent memory in the state, given what they have shown so far, with many more expected to emerge in the years to come. Here are the 81-90 ranked 2028 prospects at this point in their young careers in our eyes.    [player_tooltip player_id='1624393' first='Hunter' last='Eldridge'] was part of Martinsburg's freshman team success last season, but will head across town to Spring Mills to finish out his high school career. As a member of the Bulldogs' younger squad, Eldridge was a standout on both sides of the line and offers upside at both positions. Length keeps him lower in the rankings for now, depending on further physical growth, but he showed other traits as a young player that will translate well moving forward. Those traits included physicality and aggressiveness, which are two big ones that you look for in young linemen.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Some videos from the other day… 16-6 win over Musselman <a href="https://twitter.com/MburgFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MburgFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/nB8u59liNu">pic.twitter.com/nB8u59liNu</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1624393' first='Hunter' last='Eldridge'] (@realhreldridge) <a href="https://twitter.com/realhreldridge/status/1834395654593949928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2024</a></blockquote>     A prospect lower in the rankings for now who could blossom in the future is 2028 Morgantown RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624354' first='Nathan' last='Ely']. He has the raw athleticism to develop into a future standout on Friday nights for the Mohigans once his number is called upon. Ely may have to wait until his junior year for that with some very talented and older athletes ahead of him, but he'll be someone you'll want to keep tabs on over the next three years. It wouldn't be surprising if he demands touches on varsity this fall with an opening at running back.      Bridgeport will be seeking some younger players to step up this season to defend their state championship from 2024 after graduating a very talented senior class. 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1221846' first='Zach' last='Hickman'] could be worked into the mix in their single-wing offense, where they like to utilize a bevy of ball carriers. Hickman was a standout on the Indians' freshman team last season and showed he has a bright future in their program. If it isn't during his sophomore season, expect Hickman to be a serious player for the Indians in the future.      We were impressed with University's 2028 class and the potential that they showed as freshman last season, and that continues with WR [player_tooltip player_id='1624384' first='Sam' last='Wannemacher']. He'll need to keep developing physically before making a big impact on varsity, but Wannaemacher has the athleticism to become a playmaker for the Hawks on Friday nights in time. He was very productive at both receiver and safety on their freshman team and can align at both the slot and outside receiver on offense. Given his size, Wannemacher's future is likely in the slot where he can develop into a playmaker on varsity after some patience behind a talented junior and senior skill group.      2028 Braxton County RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624432' first='Logan' last='Payne'] caught our attention at a camp this summer and debuts just outside of the Top 10 running backs in the class. He may be at an under-the-radar program, but was the Eagles' leading rusher as a freshman with nearly 500 yards and 5 touchdowns, and the 4th-leading tackler on defense. Payne has quality speed and quickness as a young running back, and also does a nice job of making defenders miss consistently. You can see his potential when watching his freshman film, and he is a very good piece for their program to build around and get back in the win column more often.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/BDTvehRKm4">pic.twitter.com/BDTvehRKm4</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1624432' first='Logan' last='Payne'] (@Logan677529514) <a href="https://twitter.com/Logan677529514/status/1945222183132725620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2025</a></blockquote>     After quite a bit of roster turnover this off-season, 2028 Hurricane WR [player_tooltip player_id='1605965' first='Riley' last='Armstrong'] could find his way onto the field on varsity this fall for the Redskins. He did a lot of good things on their JV team last season and just needs to keep progressing physically to increase his ceiling as a player and prospect. Armstrong has playmaking ability out of the slot with his speed and quickness, and does a nice job as a route runner for his age. Those attributes will translate to varsity success sooner rather than later for him, which could happen as soon as his sophomore year.   <a href="https://x.com/Riley_Arnstrong/status/1837466125723939180/video/1">Film Link</a>     2028 Fairmont Senior K [player_tooltip player_id='1221859' first='Ben' last='Smith'] may emerge as the Polar Bears' starting varsity kicker as a sophomore. He's a young specialist to follow for the next three years as he develops. Smith will be battling a senior for playing time this season, but will be their guy as an upperclassman if he doesn't win the job as a sophomore. He's developing and improving quickly, which should get him on the field sooner rather than later.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here is my highlight video from Chris Sailers Underclassman Invitational!<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJRut?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJRut</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachpkirkland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachpkirkland</a> <a href="https://t.co/rpBpvOhlk6">pic.twitter.com/rpBpvOhlk6</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1221859' first='Ben' last='Smith']||3.5⭐️(csk)|| 3.5⭐️(kohls) (@benthekicker09) <a href="https://twitter.com/benthekicker09/status/1949156422962290824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote>     More game film to evaluate may have led to a higher ranking for 2028 Point Pleasant RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624362' first='Khileel' last='Bryant'], but he flashed enough potential to warrant a placement among the best 100 rising sophomores at this time. Bryant has the frame and potential to develop into a future standout on the varsity team in time, and may warrant touches as a sophomore. We'll get a better idea of his ability once he produces more film, but Bryant is worth keeping an eye on until then.      Another 2028 University receiver to know who showed potential as a freshman was [player_tooltip player_id='1316885' first='Colton' last='Lawless']. Like Wannemacher, Lawless will also need to make strides physically to fully reach his potential as a player and prospect, but he has the athletic ability to build around. He may see varsity action as a sophomore, but will likely be a key piece to their program as an upperclassman. Lawless is a coach's son and will be well-developed athletically and with his mind for the game. He also has a good track background that speaks to his athletic ability and will help lead to future success on the football field.      [player_tooltip player_id='1590934' first='Cole' last='Boyles'] was a varsity letterman for Grafton as a freshman and showed potential to develop into a solid prospect in time. He's expectedly raw as a young lineman, but can steadily progress over the next three years if he puts in the work. Boyles has quality interior lineman size and can give reps on both sides of the line. He's someone to keep tabs on over the next three years to see how he develops, with the potential to develop into a college prospect.

The 2028 West Virginia rankings have made their long-awaited debut as an up-and-coming rising sophomore class begins to make their names known. This class has the potential to be one of the most talented groups of prospects in recent memory in the state, given what they have shown so far, with many more expected to emerge in the years to come. Here are the 81-90 ranked 2028 prospects at this point in their young careers in our eyes.