New Additions to the 2026 Top 250 (Pt. 1)

The 2026 rankings have grown to 250 total prospects in the state of West Virginia, with many new athletes seeing themselves place among them. After a summer of getting out to camps, watching film, and new college offers, here are the new players who made the 2026 Top 250.    George Washington graduated a pair of D1 linebackers from a season ago, which will open the door for more opportunities for athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='1139383' first='Casey' last='Adkins'] this season. He produced when his name was called upon as a junior, and Adkins should fill in at one of those vacant LB spots as a senior. You can line him up at middle linebacker, where he's a strong run-stopper between the tackles, or rush him off the edge. That versatility should have Adkins starting in some role this season, with the potential to climb the rankings.     2026 Hampshire ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1683405' first='Sean' last='King'] was an unknown to us before seeing him at Fairmont State's Prospect Camp earlier this summer, where he caught our eye. King has raw athleticism that should catch college attention and versatility in where he can line up. He played primarily linebacker last season for the Trojans, but feels like a natural fit at strong safety at the next level, given his size and athleticism.     Another prospect whom we saw in person at Fairmont State's Prospect Camp earlier this summer was 2026 Wheeling Central TE [player_tooltip player_id='1137048' first='Troy' last='Mortakis']. He's a valuable piece to their offensive success primarily as a run blocker, but can make plays as a defensive end too on defense. H-back feels like his role at the next level, a spot where he's worthy of some D2 looks. Mortakis rounds out our Top 10 of tight ends in his debut in the 2026 rankings.     Another TE prospect to know in the 2026 class who is under the radar is Buffalo's [player_tooltip player_id='1605634' first='Hunter' last='Rutan']. Rutan placed second in receiving yards as a junior with over 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in a run-focused offense that he helped open holes for as a blocker. At 6'2 210, Rutan possesses quality size as a college TE prospect while showcasing solid athleticism in his pass-catching opportunities. He's an underrated prospect in this class who many may not be familiar with yet, but is deserving of D2 and D3 looks this fall.     2026 Midland Trail WR [player_tooltip player_id='1605653' first='Jamison' last='Swafford'] is a big-play threat on the outside to know this season for the Patriots. He's one of the better jump-ball 50/50 receivers in this class and has very good concentration when hauling in difficult catches. Swafford makes acrobatic catches look routine and is a great safety net for his quarterback. He's also selfless in the running game as an imposing blocker on the outside. Swafford is an underrated and under-the-radar prospect who provides a lot of value in this ranking range.     2026 Nitro OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1127141' first='Landen' last='Hamilton'] could play on either side of the line in college, but primarily plays along the offensive line. If he can add the needed size to play there at the next level, he has the talent to do so. If not, Hamilton could develop well along the defensive line with the athleticism that he possesses. That's evident in playing offensive tackle with limited length, as Hamilton has quick feet and moves well in space as a blocker.     A very underrated defensive line prospect in the 2026 class is Weir's [player_tooltip player_id='1605760' first='Ben' last='Bryan']. He's known for his work on the wrestling mat, but has high upside as a football prospect if he chooses to play that sport in college. Bryan has a great frame that he can add significant size to as a football player at 6'4 200. That length allows him to eat up space off the edge and affects the passing game with batted passes. His wrestling background is apparent in his film with how he uses his hands and reliability as a tackler.     Another 2026 George Washington linebacker to know is [player_tooltip player_id='1677147' first='Landyn' last='Hamilton']. He caught our eye at one of the GCOH Exposure Camps this summer as a stocky athlete who made some plays in pass coverage during the camp. Just like classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1139383' first='Casey' last='Adkins'], Hamilton will benefit from two big graduation losses in the Patriots' linebacker group and should have increased opportunities to showcase his ability this fall. He's also versatile in being able to play in the middle or line up as an OLB/EDGE rusher, with upside at both alignments.     Wheeling Park has some big shoes to fill at TE and LB this fall with the graduation of Jameson Maynard, but 2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1605319' first='Nolan' last='Yanchak'] can step in and ease some of that loss. Also a standout on the Patriots' baseball team, Yanchak is a multi-sport athlete who is underrated as a football player and could earn opportunities for that sport, too. He's tough between the tackles at middle linebacker and has the athleticism to make plays in space as well.     [player_tooltip player_id='894766' first='Ethan' last='Jones'] was a good second option for the Parkersburg Big Reds' rushing attack as a junior, but should step in as their top guy as a senior. Jones also produced as a DE/EDGE type player last season, but his size is best suited for running back or OLB. He rushed for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns behind the talented Jakel Shelton in 2024 and could flirt with a 1,000-yard season as a senior if he stays healthy.     Cabell Midland's [player_tooltip player_id='1264001' first='Jordan' last='Wheeler'] will be called upon to be a leader for the Knights' offensive line group this season after that group has been decimated by transfers. He may have been an after thought in the same class as three D1 former classmates, but Wheeler stayed the course and earned a starting spot as a junior and is now one of their top retuning lienmen. He lacks some size, but Wheeler plays his role well as a pulling guard who uses sound technique and opens holes even without prototypical size. Wheeler does a nice job turning his man when the run is coming through his gap and plays with controlled physicality.

The 2026 rankings have grown to 250 total prospects in the state of West Virginia, with many new athletes seeing themselves place among them. After a summer of getting out to camps, watching film, and new college offers, here are the new players who made the 2026 Top 250.