2028 Winter Rankings Update: New Top 100 Prospects

<!-- 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>The 2028 rankings have grown to 125 total prospects in the state of West Virginia, with many new faces entering the mix. Here are the new 2028 Top 100 rankings after their sophomore seasons have been completed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104071"],"_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-6967b4de479ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2104071' first='David' last='Popper'] is a promising tight end prospect from Linsly who had a quality sophomore season for the Cadets. The European import was primarily used as a blocker in 2025 but showed upside in his limited opportunities as a pass catcher. Popper is a strong young athlete who opened running lanes and has the athleticism to get out in space to block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624377"],"_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-6967b4de47a60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1624377' first='Travis' last='Owens'] had an excellent sophomore season for Pendleton County and was a First Team All-State performer. The small school standout caught 70 passes for 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns this season and can be utilized in all three levels of the passing game. Owens is a well-rounded receiver with production that can't be overlooked, even as a Class A player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701492"],"_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-6967b4de47aae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We expected 2028 Shady Spring WR [player_tooltip player_id='1701492' first='Gage' last='Spears'] to have a breakout sophomore season for the Tigers, and he did just that. We got eyes on him in person at our recent Stock Up Showcase, where he was a Top Performer that helped place him as a Top 15 receiver prospect in the class. Spears has good length and athleticism, with upside as a defensive back as well that should garner future college attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624375"],"_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-6967b4de47af8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sherman 2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1624375' first='Chase' last='Southern'] is a great candidate to fill in as 2026 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='894972' first='Trey' last='Lester']'s role for the Tide next season, and he showed a lot of promise as a sophomore. We expect Southern to have a breakout junior campaign after posting 500 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns this season. He has the length and athleticism to develop into a top Class A prospect by his senior year and is worth keeping a close eye on moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1316083"],"_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-6967b4de47b41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adding to Capital's long list of 2028 prospects to know is defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1316083' first='Elijah' last='Davis']. He's a safety prospect with good size and athleticism who should develop nicely in the Cougars' program that churns out quality DB prospects each year. Davis's length serves him well on the back end of the defense to attack the ball in the air and break up passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2045494"],"_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-6967b4de47b88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another promising 2028 Capital prospect to know over the next two years is LB [player_tooltip player_id='2045494' first='Laurenzo' last='Auguste']. He has a bright future as a prospect based on what he put on film in his sophomore season for the Cougars. Auguste is quick to the ball and comes downhill with force and good closing speed. He should see increased reps moving forward after graduation losses and is worthy of following the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1700917"],"_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-6967b4de47bcf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An under-the-radar prospect from a program that doesn't get much publicity is 2028 River View ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1700917' first='Ethan' last='Christian']. He had a good sophomore season for the Raiders, totaling over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns. He can impact the game in all three phases and has the size and athleticism to be a future scholarship-level prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104201"],"_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-6967b4de47c16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Expect to hear more about 2028 Roane County LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='2104201' first='Evan' last='Greathouse']'s name over the next two years as he started to emerge in his sophomore season for the Raiders. He was their third option in the backfield in 2025 and finished 5th on the team in tackles as a promising athlete with a good frame that he can continue to build on moving forward. Film is limited on him right now, but the flashes we've seen from him lead us to believe he'll be a quality prospect by his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624351"],"_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-6967b4de47c5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're expecting 2028 East Hardy RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624351' first='Nehemiah' last='Graham'] to take big steps forward each of the next seasons for the Cougars. His ceiling is higher than his current ranking based on limited film, but Graham's athletic upside is obvious when watching him. He earned more playing time as the season went on and has NFL bloodlines in his family that should aid his development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1700960"],"_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-6967b4de47ca3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">South Charleston has promising young players in their program, and that continues with 2028 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1700960' first='Elijah' last='Cossin']. He had moments of quality play in his sophomore season for the Black Eagles as a corner prospect. If Cossin puts in the work over the off-season, expect him to have a breakout year in 2026 and be a potential top defensive back in the class by his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->