2028 Winter Rankings Update: New Top 50 Prospects

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   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 50 rankings after their sophomore seasons have been completed.    Here's what we recently said about Smith in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/2028-winter-rankings-update-the-generational-qb-class/">2028 Winter Rankings Update: The Generational QB Class article</a>:   "[player_tooltip player_id='1616382' first='Anthony' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anthony-smith-11/"></a> added to the already loaded 2028 quarterback class when he transferred into the Fairmont Senior program early in the season from Pennsylvania and produced a standout sophomore season for the Polar Bears. He already holds several G5 offers to his name, with P4 programs keeping a close eye on him to see how he develops."     2028 Bluefield WR [player_tooltip player_id='1311053' first='Paxtyn' last='Calhoun'] takes over our #1 WR ranking in the class after a huge breakout sophomore campaign for the Beavers. He totaled 1,200 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns this season on 72 catches and proved to be a top prospect in the class. Calhoun has all of the physical tools that D1 programs will be looking for and expect him to garner attention from that level sooner rather than later.     The run of high-level 2028 Bluefield prospects continues with our now #1 running back in the class, [player_tooltip player_id='1958273' first='Jeremiah' last='Jones']. He doubles as a standout linebacker, but Jones' future is at running back in our eyes after what he put on film in 2025. His vision and footwork are top-tier as an athlete who consistently makes defenders miss on every carry, with the speed to take it the distance any time he touches the ball.     Continuing the trend of 2028 Bluefield prospects is the 2025 Carl Lee Award winner as the state's top defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='2066889' first='Jaleel' last='Jones']. He totaled 6 interceptions from his safety position and was a top target on offense as well at receiver. Jones is a hard-hitting athlete with the athleticism to garner future D1 interest as a top defensive back in the class.     [player_tooltip player_id='1856641' first='Gage' last='Burdette'] was in the mix for Woodrow Wilson's starting quarterback position over the summer, but he made the unselfish move to running back for the Eagles to get on the field. Burdette never looked back as he totaled 1,600 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns in his sophomore season. His best position as a prospect is yet to be determined, but Burdette is a plus athlete who can play any skill position at a high level.     2028 Jefferson LB [player_tooltip player_id='2064380' first='Andy' last='Roberts'] secures our new #1 linebacker ranking in the class after a breakout sophomore season for the Cougars. He also came on strong late in the season at running back and put together several big rushing games as a talented and versatile athlete who also saw reps at safety. His ceiling will continue to increase as he adds size, but Roberts' athleticism and early playmaking ability will allow him to develop into a top prospect in this class.     You can plug and play 2028 Princeton ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1880458' first='Alex' last='Cox'] into several different skill positions, and he'll be a playmaker at any of them. He proved as much in his sophomore season for the state champion Tigers as a two-way player who should produce big junior and senior years. Cox is a rangy player on defense who plays fast and physical for his size. On offense, he's a twitchy athlete who's tough to bring down due to his footwork and change-of-direction ability, who will cause defenses headaches moving forward.     We're still waiting for 2028 Fairmont Senior RB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1700918' first='Christian' last='Hrapchak'] to produce more film to give a full evaluation, but he's too good a player to leave off our rankings. He emerged as a top option in the Polar Bears' backfield this season and has a bright future as a prospect once he posts more film. Keep a close eye on Hrapchak over the next two years as a confident future top player in 2028.     [player_tooltip player_id='2077341' first='Jaidyn' last='Shuck'] was a Class AA First Team All-State performer as a sophomore this season for the Independence Patriots and is a top offensive line prospect to know moving forward. His 6'4 280 frame gives him a great base to continue to build around over the next two years. Shuck is still fundamentally in his technique, but once he irons that out, expect him to reach new heights in his game as an already Top 10 OL prospect in the class.     Another 2028 prospect that we're waiting on film from, but will be a top specialist in the class, is George Washington's [player_tooltip player_id='1624461' first='Teddy' last='Smith']. He was a Class AAAA First Team All-State performer as a sophomore after an excellent year kicking for the Patriots. Smith converted on 44/51 PATs and was a perfect 8/8 on field goals with a long of 33 yards in a game-winning kick against Barnesville (OH). Tuck his name away for later until he puts film on HUDL, but we're confident in his ability.

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!