2025 WV Team Preview: Bluefield Beavers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bluefield Beavers will benefit from being patient with some talented young players in their program and reap the rewards as they mature and develop. That young nucleus should take another step forward in 2025, with more names sure to emerge to join them in getting Bluefield back to competing for state titles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29: vs Graham (VA)<br>9/5: at Princeton<br>9/12: at James Monroe<br>9/19: vs Woodrow Wilson<br>9/26: at Independence<br>10/3: at George Wythe (VA)<br>10/10: at Nicholas County<br>10/16: vs PikeView<br>10/24: at Greenbrier East<br>10/31: at River View<br><br><strong>2024 Record:</strong> 5-6<br><strong>2025 Prediction:</strong> 6-4<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605759"],"_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-688fe280e7154"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Bluefield OL [player_tooltip player_id='1605759' first='Landyn' last='Casey'] will be counted on as one of the leaders of the Beavers' offensive line group in 2025. He'll anchor the line from his center spot and does a nice job in both run and pass blocking. Casey fires off the ball in the running game with active hands and power. Casey is a gritty player who is willing to mix it up along the interior and welcomes the physicality that comes with it. Pad level and lower leverage will benefit his game, especially in pass protection. However, Casey is a prospect that small colleges should keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23227514/6787d96d5c2e43fc7674ee32' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fe280e742b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1154894"],"_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-688fe280e7483"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A prospect ready to breakout on a larger scale this season, who many still may not know is 2027 Bluefield RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154894' first='Willis' last='Wilson']. He'll provide balance to an offensive system that seems to be trending toward a more spread offense with the emergence of 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1166648' first='Max' last='Simpson']. Watch for Wilson to steadily develop into a future star for the Beavers as an upperclassman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Wilson in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2027-summer-rankings-update-offensive-stock-risers/">2027 Rankings Offensive Stock Risers article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We've been anxiously waiting on 2027 Bluefield RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154894' first='Willis' last='Wilson']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/willis-wilson/"></a> to post a full season highlight tape after ranking him highly on mostly gut feeling, and he finally did since our last update. He had a breakout year as a sophomore for the Beavers, leading them in rushing and showing a bright future as a prospect. Wilson has a natural feel for the running back position and the physical tools to develop into a potential D1 prospect in the future."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19843144/683d0ffcbf5cf88da20692c6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fe280e74a9"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1677416"],"_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-688fe280e74ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2027 Bluefield prospect who we are expecting big things from this season is LB [player_tooltip player_id='1677416' first='Chadney' last='Stanback']. He has a high ceiling as a linebacker prospect, which we saw flashes of as a sophomore. A year later, Stanback should take another step forward as a junior and emerge as one of the top linebackers in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Stanback in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/new-additions-to-the-2027-top-50-2/">2027 Rankings New Additions article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We're expecting big things from 2027 Bluefield LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1677416' first='Chadney' last='Stanback']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/chadney-stanback/"></a> over the next two seasons after flashing as a sophomore for the Beavers. He stands out physically at 6'1 210, and looks the part on film in that aspect. Stanback has a high ceiling as a LB prospect and has the ability and upside to climb much higher in the rankings once we see his junior and senior film. You can see the vision of what he can develop into when watching his sophomore game cut-ups, and he is someone who colleges are going to want to know soon."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23260609/683cb674a76c231abf28fbbf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fe280e750e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616354"],"_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-688fe280e754d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 2027 prospect who we are eager to see more of in 2025 is WR [player_tooltip player_id='1616354' first='Jamarius' last='Smith']. He should be a top playmaker for the Beavers in the passing game from the small glimpses of film we've gotten from his sophomore season. Smith has the potential to skyrocket up our rankings once he produces more film and is an intriguing prospect to keep tabs on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Smith in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/new-additions-to-the-2027-top-100-pt-1/">2027 Rankings New Additions article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616354' first='Jamarius' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamarius-smith/"></a> is a name that we expect to emerge more over the next two seasons after showing flashes for Bluefield as a sophomore. The 2027 WR has playmaking ability out of the slot that he'll show on a larger scale as a junior and senior. Bluefield's offense should open up the passing game more moving forward with the emergence of talented 2028 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166648' first='Max' last='Simpson']</strong>, which we started to see last season, and will benefit athletes like Smith. He's a name to tuck away for later as more game film becomes available, but the potential and upside are evident."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23260631/6796dfc3bd2906d89062f830' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fe280e756c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1166648"],"_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-688fe280e75aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 Bluefield QB [player_tooltip player_id='1166648' first='Max' last='Simpson'] will take the Beavers as far as he wants to with the ability he's shown as a young player. He's an impressive building block for them to build around for three more years and transform their offense into something fans in that area aren't used to. Expect Simpson to make a giant leap in year two after finishing his freshman season strongly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Simpson in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-10/">2028 Rankings Debut Top 10 article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Being 7th overall and the #3 quarterback in the class with a D1 offer to his name already speaks to how talented this 2028 class is shaping up to be with Bluefield QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1166648' first='Max' last='Simpson']</strong>. East Tennessee State extended Simpson his first offer earlier this summer after a strong camp showing, and you can see why D1 programs already like him. The second half of his freshman season was telling once the offense opened up more and Simpson earned his coach's trust. He may throw the prettiest ball at this juncture among a very talented quarterback class, and he is mechanically sound for his age. Simpson will grab G5 and P4 attention in the future if he continues this progression year after year."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22754970/675b23ec737e771bade5e151' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fe280e75ca"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1625644"],"_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-688fe280e7608"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another young piece in the Bluefield program for them to build around in the trenches is 2028 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1625644' first='Ethan' last='Thompson']. He emerged as a talented two-way player as a freshman last season and should take a step forward in his sophomore year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Thompson in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-50/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"A freshman varsity starting lineman to know from last season is Bluefield's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625644' first='Ethan' last='Thompson']</strong>. He'll be a key piece in their trenches on both sides of the ball, which he showed as a young player. Thompson has good footwork for his age and has the early athleticism to develop into one of the better lineman prospects in this class. He showed versatility in where he could be lined up as a freshman and was trusted to play tackle, which speaks to how highly his coaches think of him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/25775406/67b5373ddb57b397ce413ace' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688fe280e7627"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->