2025 WV Team Preview: Hurricane Redskins

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hurricane Redskins will look vastly different in 2025 after graduation and transfers decimated the returning roster. They'll also have a new leader on the sidelines as they named Dustin Hatfield the new head coach this offseason. Hurricane will have a very young team this season, with the bulk of their talent being unknowns for now, but will return for next season and beyond. While the Redskins may struggle this year, look for them to show promise for the future as new names step up and emerge for their future outlook. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/29: at George Rogers Clark (KY)<br>9/5: at George Washington<br>9/12: vs Parkersburg<br>9/19: at Huntington<br>9/26: at Cabell Midland<br>10/3: vs St. Albans<br>10/10: vs Parkersburg South<br>10/17: at Oak Hill<br>10/31: vs Princeton<br>11/7: at Martinsburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record: </strong>9-4<br><strong>2025 Prediction:</strong> 1-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894670"],"_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-689fdf31c2c10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Hurricane RB [player_tooltip player_id='894670' first='AJ' last='Gregory'] will need to carry the load for the Redskins this season if they want to prove everyone's low expectations wrong. He's waited patiently for his turn as their #1 running back behind some high-level athletes the past three years. Gregory will finally get that opportunity as a senior and has the potential to put up eye-opening numbers in his final season. He may be under the radar right now, but expect Gregory to make himself known this season as one of the few returning standout players for the Redskins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17616727/675a196e186669cc04d428f5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689fdf31c2f6a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580329"],"_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-689fdf31c2fc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hurricane will have one of the top specialist prospects in the state this season at their disposal with 2026 K [player_tooltip player_id='1580329' first='Seth' last='Casto']. He was a standout for the Redskins as a junior, converting on 80/83 PATs and 2/3 field goals with a long of 34 yards. Casto also had 18 touchbacks on kickoffs and is a scholarship-level kicker in our eyes at the D2 or D1 level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Casto in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/new-additions-to-the-2026-top-100/">2026 Rankings New Additions article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"No available game film made 2026 Hurricane K&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580329' first='Seth' last='Casto']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/seth-casto/"></a>&nbsp;tough to evaluate for us, but he's made his name known this summer at various camps. This warranted an offer from Bluefield State, with more sure to come once he has film available for colleges to see. Casto has performed highly at D1 camps and is considered a 4.5-star kicker by the prestigious Kohl's Kicking. He has a long and athletic build that will translate well to future success at the college level and leg strength to hit beyond 50 yards on field goals, and the potential to be consistent on kickoff touchbacks."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Running film, 6 ball set with <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelLeeHugh1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MichaelLeeHugh1</a> <br>36 middle, 39 Right Up Right, 42 Left Up Right, 46 middle, 50 Left Up Right, 54 Right Up Right.<a href="https://twitter.com/HKA_Tanalski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HKA_Tanalski</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachmiller2525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachmiller2525</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJDWhite?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJDWhite</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ImJustKickingIT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImJustKickingIT</a> <a href="https://t.co/4jAoDXxbdH">pic.twitter.com/4jAoDXxbdH</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1580329' first='Seth' last='Casto'] 4.5⭐️K (@SethCasto9) <a href="https://twitter.com/SethCasto9/status/1953450925168689593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605268"],"_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-689fdf31c302e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Snapping the ball on special teams for Casto is 2026 long snapper [player_tooltip player_id='1605268' first='Christian' last='Connard']. He's someone who small colleges or sprint football programs will want to know this season. Connard is one of the few 2026 long snappers who has produced game film to date for colleges to evaluate him, which can be seen below. Size will be his biggest obstacle as a prospect, with more punt snap opportunities likely coming in 2025 after losing most of their offensive weapons from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17615354/673368cee1560e88eaef20b2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a1ed21a413c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894668"],"_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-68a1ed21a8a7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Hurricane LB [player_tooltip player_id='894668' first='Jacob' last='Lee'] will be a welcome addition back to the Redskins' program after taking his junior season off. He pwas laced inside of our Top 125 as a sophomore, and we're anxious to see how he's progressed as an athlete since then. We got a glimpse of that progression from Hurricane's first scrimmage with Bluefield, and expect Lee to be one of their top athletes this season as they search for new faces to step up in 2025. Keep tabs on Lee this season as he makes his name known on the varsity squad for the first time as an under-the-radar prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17615594/68a028af4c4026f60619e727' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a1ed21a8ada"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["864954"],"_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-689fdf31c307b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the few returning standouts from 2024 for Hurricane is 2027 LB/EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='864954' first='Devon' last='Short']. He posted 34 tackles and 4 sacks as a sophomore for the Redskins and will be counted on heavily this season. Short is a good candidate to move to EDGE in our rankings in the future, and he has steadily grown into his body. He has the size and athleticism coming off the edge to be a top EDGE prospect in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20407797/678be4ef8d6b7757e00a009b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689fdf31c309c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1154936"],"_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-689fdf31c30e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1154936' first='Isaiah' last='Kutscher'] will be the new starter behind center for Hurricane this season and has big shoes to fill after the graduation of Noah Vellaithambi. He'll be a different style of quarterback, but he has the potential to grow and develop into a quality athlete at the position in time. This season will be his first real varsity action, but Kutscher did a nice job at the JV level last season and should show flashes of success in year one on varsity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19505785/67d2eca382072bfd64b64648' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689fdf31c3103"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155321"],"_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-689fdf31c3148"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hurricane will need athletes like 2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1155321' first='Dylan' last='Widen'] to step up big this season as they return zero receiving yards from last year's squad. He's shown potential on their JV team and is a big target on the outside for them to utilize. Widen is also a quality athlete who should develop nicely over the next two years and has the potential to transform into a notable WR or TE prospect by his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19505760/66d9945031131ab158fe2118' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689fdf31c3167"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1530904"],"_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-689fdf31c31ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the few returning defensive players with experience this season for Hurricane is 2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1530904' first='Jaxson' last='Rappold']. He has upside as a middle linebacker, where he got reps last season on a very talented roster, but will have the opportunity to start as a junior. Rappold is the type of player who plays with an edge and likes to come downhill with bad intentions. His physicality is noticeable on film, and he has a wrestling background that will also translate well for the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20633578/670f1213316c2ae95535a86b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689fdf31c31cb"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1742025"],"_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-689fdf31c320f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Hurricane OL [player_tooltip player_id='1742025' first='Kamdyn' last='Womack'] will likely man the center position for the Redskins this season. He handled that duty on the JV team last season and did some good things at that level. Size will be his biggest hurdle to overcome as a prospect, but he'll have the opportunity to keep adding size over the next two years. Womack is a strong athlete for his size, which is evident in his sophomore highlights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19505639/6721a568a161dd592140e64c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689fdf31c322f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1627147"],"_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-689fdf31c3275"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're looking forward to seeing game film from 2028 Hurricane OL [player_tooltip player_id='1627147' first='Cooper' last='Ryan'] this season as he makes his varsity debut as a sophomore. He's a prospect with a bright future if he puts in the work to develop his game and athleticism, considering his size. We'll get a better idea of Ryan's ability this fall as Hurricane will need young players like him to step up big. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Ryan in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-60/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Another 2028 offensive lineman who hasn't produced game film yet but will be a top name to know is Hurricane's&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1627147' first='Cooper' last='Ryan']</strong>. He already has impressive early size in the 6'3 300 range and should be a varsity starter as a sophomore this season. There's not much video to evaluate of Ryan right now, but keep tabs on him to emerge sooner rather than later with physical traits that will translate to success quickly."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605965"],"_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-689fdf31c32c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another promising 2028 Hurricane prospect to know is WR [player_tooltip player_id='1605965' first='Riley' last='Armstrong']. He'll be counted on this season to be one of their top receiving threats, and he showed flashes as a freshman on the JV team of doing so. Armstrong may have a breakout year for the Redskins as a sophomore, as they'll be searching for young players to elevate their games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Armstrong in our <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-90/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"After quite a bit of roster turnover this off-season, 2028 Hurricane WR&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605965' first='Riley' last='Armstrong']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/riley-armstrong/"></a>&nbsp;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."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->