Hidden Gems: Unranked Seniors Spotlight (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-525a362c-af18-4caa-b3e9-60a9da027fb3">The 2025 WV high school football regular season is wrapping up, and many seniors have emerged this year who aren't currently placed in our rankings. We'll be highlighting these athletes in the coming days who may be flying under the radar in their final year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1856632"],"_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-6900fb7bb4f96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Woodrow Wilson DB [player_tooltip player_id='1856632' first='Jaliel' last='Sharpe'] is an under-the-radar defensive back to know in this class. There's just a spattering of highlights available from his senior season thus far, but Sharpe would provide value to a D2 or D3 program once he posts more film. Nickel may be where he settles in at in college, where he has some experience along with corner. He can rush the passer off the edge and has made plays as a cover corner as well, with the possibility of dropping back to safety in the future. Sharpe is worth taking a flyer on by colleges and could develop into a future hidden gem. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17639352/68eab747087165fff9b381c4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb52d8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1324954"],"_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-6900fb7bb5337"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1324954' first='Kamero' last='Jackson'] is having a strong senior season for the Parkersburg South Patriots, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The 2026 RB/LB is leading the team in tackles with 68, along with 16 going for a loss and 10 sacks. At 6'0 200, Jackson also has the size that should appeal to colleges if his film gets in front of their eyes. He's quick off the edge as a pass rusher, but is disciplined in maintaining his reads for RPOs and option plays. Jackson does a great job of playing in space and will consistently make the 1-on-1 tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19920471/68ed2bc41b166fab486869e5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb5361"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238338"],"_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-6900fb7bb53ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Preston has several productive linebackers this season, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1238338' first='Ryder' last='Kilkenny'] is among the leading tacklers on the team. He currently sits at third in total tackles with 36 and an interception in 7 games this season for the Knights. Kilkenny is a quality D3 linebacker prospect who is deserving of getting on some small college radars this season. He's still raw as a player, but he has some traits that colleges can work with and develop after a couple of years in their program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17612134/68e14951c314b519d22f6192' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb53d0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1988382"],"_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-6900fb7bb5416"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new name on our radar this season that could interest D3 programs is 2026 Lincoln County OL [player_tooltip player_id='1988382' first='Blake' last='Lucas']. Playing in an under-the-radar program has Lucas in the same boat, but his film suggests that he has the potential to play at the next level. At 6'2 280, he has the frame to play guard in college, while playing left tackle in high school. Lucas has quality footwork at tackle and plays with good pad level. D3 programs may have a diamond in the rough with Lucas if they can get eyes on his film. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18105474/68f0f815db3d6f718dafcbda' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb5438"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895004"],"_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-6900fb7bb547d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='895004' first='Kayden' last='Fortney'] is a valuable two-way player for Wheeling Park and could project to either side of the line in college. His current frame is better suited along the defensive line, but Fortney has the potential to bulk up and play guard in college as well. That versatility should open the doors to D3 interest for Fortney as a productive player on both sides of the ball for the Patriots. He does a nice job in the running game on offense, helping pave the way for a multi-thousand-yard rusher to pair with 17 tackles on defense as a rotational player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18219084/68f798808356724f177baa0e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb549e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1137482"],"_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-6900fb7bb54df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 ATH/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1137482' first='Bradley' last='Butts'] saved his best for his final high school season for Spring Mills. The first half of his senior year was very productive on both sides of the ball. Butts is an unconventional linebacker at 5'6 170, but could play safety at the D3 level and would be a great Spring Football prospect at his size. He can cover ground quickly and isn't afraid to muck it up between the tackles in run defense. Butts pursues the ball with high effort and plays well in space, which speaks to his athletic ability and potential to play safety in college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19009427/68ceb1cf1733808ac2fe0d3d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb5502"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1239071"],"_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-6900fb7bb5543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 Shady Spring OL [player_tooltip player_id='1239071' first='Michael' last='Crouch'] had to be patient and wait his turn to be a full-time starter for the Tigers, and it's paid off in his senior year. He has good size at 6'3 270 that will appeal to D2 and D3 programs with room to fill out his frame further. Crouch still needs some seasoning with his technique and fundamentals, but he's a ball of clay that can be molded into a future college starter in time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18144781/68f1be77950ebcfe34b0eb81' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6900fb7bb5564"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->