Mountain State Midseason RB/LB Film Evaluations

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   We're at the midway point of the season in the blink of an eye, and we'll be highlighting prospects who have produced midseason highlight tapes. Colleges will evaluate prospect film from the midpoint of the season to assess their progress this season, as they update their recruiting boards. Here are some RB/LB prospects to check out with midseason highlight tapes that we didn't cover from the First 3/4 games spotlight series!    2026 Jefferson LB [player_tooltip player_id='894673' first='Takiem' last='Drake']'s role has evolved as a senior this season, but he's still one of the Cougars' top playmakers. He's seeing time at running back this year and has moved to middle linebacker on defense after sliding over from the outside. Drake is adjusting to that new position well and will continue to improve in the second half of the season. His athletic skill set and frame likely translate best to OLB as a pass rusher who can crash down quickly, which he excelled at as a junior. Drake's raw athletic ability should garner him D2 interest this season as a high upside player.      2026 Chapmanville LB [player_tooltip player_id='1139377' first='Preston' last='Kovach'] has had an excellent start to his senior season for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. He's emerged as their starting running back this season, where Kovach has run for nearly 600 yards and 7 touchdowns in 4 games. He brings a physical, downhill presence to their backfield and is a punishing runner who will wear down a defense late in the game. We like Kovach as a LB prospect at the next level, where he's been very productive to date as well, with 44 tackles and 7 TFLs so far this season. He's a must-offer for D2 programs and will see his stock rise soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PrestonKovach/status/1972657350495404191 </div></figure>     2026 George Washington LB [player_tooltip player_id='1139383' first='Casey' last='Adkins'] is having a strong start to his senior year as he took over at MLB this season for the Patriots full-time. Their defense is playing very well during their 5-0 start, and that's because of the play of Adkins and Co. He has a knack for the ball and plays the position the way you'd expect and want as a coach. Adkins pursues and finds the ball well and plays with high effort and physicality. Even while lacking prototypical MLB size, Adkins' play this season may open the door to D2 opportunities with the way that he's playing.      Ranked as a defensive lineman, but 2026 Robert C. Byrd prospect [player_tooltip player_id='882762' first='Trevor' last='Dean'] has moved to middle linebacker this season for the Eagles. He's a bigger body at that position, but Dean has transitioned well there as his experience along the defensive line has translated. He does a great job in run defense with his ability to get off blocks and play physically to find the ball. Dean does a great job getting penetration into the backfield and can blow up the running game consistently.      2027 Fairmont Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1087022' first='Parker' last='Bigelow'] has continued his strong linebacker play into his junior season for the Polar Bears after a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024. He's a smart and heady middle linebacker who does a great job in run defense and seeking the ball. Bigelow appears to have improved his quickness and overall athleticism this season and is playing faster on film, especially laterally. He's a high-effort player who plays behind his pads well and is physical at the point of contact.      Greenbrier East is having a good start to the 2025 season, and 2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1695972' first='Keshawn' last='Bland'] is doing a nice job in the middle of their defense. He's a high upside player in our eyes, which placed him among the Top 10 LB prospects in the 2027 class in our summer rankings update. Bland is a big, physical athlete who moves well for his size and has a great frame for MLB. We'll get a better idea of how he's progressed since his sophomore year with a shorter midseason tape right now, but Bland is certainly a name to keep close tabs on moving forward.      2027 Hampshire RB [player_tooltip player_id='1683406' first='Roscoe' last='Dean'] is having a quality start to his junior year for the Trojans and continues to show why he's highly thought of by PRZ WV as a current Top 5 running back prospect in the class. Dean has totaled 465 yards and 7 touchdowns through 5 games and has flashed his big play ability at times with the size and athleticism that he possesses. He's running hard and can break free once he gets a crease. Dean is close to breaking out and fully showcasing his potential if they keep feeding him the ball.      2027 Cameron RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154892' first='Marshall' last='Holland'] has had to be patient to showcase his ability at the varsity level and is finally getting that opportunity as a junior for his new program. He came over to the Dragons from John Marshall this season and has done a great job of filling the large void left by 2025 RB Klypsan Wallace after graduation. Holland is a different type of runner than they're accustomed to at that program, with a finesse and shifty style that keeps defenses uncomfortable. He does a great job of breaking tackles and making defenders miss consistently, and can be relied on in the passing game as well.

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