2028 Winter Rankings Update: Top 30 Players Holding Steady

<!-- 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. However, many prospects saw little movement in the rankings but still deserve to be highlighted for their sophomore campaigns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1292038"],"_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-696923038429b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A shortened sophomore season for 2028 University ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1292038' first='Brody' last='Kehler'] was an unfortunate setback for the promising athlete, but he'll be back with a vengeance in 2026. He had a great start to the season before suffering his injury and shouldn't be overlooked after a breakout freshman campaign. Kehler is still a top prospect in the class with D1 upside in multiple sports. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624328"],"_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-696923038431c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another promising 2028 prospect who was having a great sophomore season before suffering an injury was Huntington ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1624328' first='Travon' last='Okonkwo']. He emerged as a big-bodied running back for the Highlanders and carried the load for some big performances and wins before going down. Okonkwo's size and athleticism have the potential to make him a special prospect in the 2028 class if he continues to progress. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309691"],"_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-6969230384366"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1309691' first='Malakhi' last='Hope'] got a late start to his sophomore season as he recovered from an injury, but he finished strong, especially defensively. His future at the next level is still at running back in our eyes, but Hope's defensive play in his sophomore season should be noted. Hope can be special as a return man as well and made a big impact on kickoffs and punts. He's a dynamic player and should garner D1 attention soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624358"],"_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-69692303843ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another dynamic 2028 running back prospect who made his varsity impact as we expected this season was Huntington's [player_tooltip player_id='1624358' first='Mayshaun' last='Okonkwo']. Both Okonkwo's have very bright futures as players and prospects and will only continue to emerge as top players in the class. He's a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1077100"],"_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-696a6ace04f93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 Parkersburg WR/ATH Brady Thorn had another strong season for the Big Reds in his sophomore season and stays inside the Top 15 of the rankings. He posted 850 yards of offense and 31 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense as a talented two-way player, with upside on both sides of the ball as a prospect. Thorn should garner D1 opportunities sooner rather than later in our eyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624347"],"_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-69692303843f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We got to see 2028 John Marshall RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624347' first='Dalton' last='Cooper'] in person at our recent Stock Up Showcase, where he was a Top Performer and had a breakout sophomore season for the Monarchs. A nagging injury limited him on offense at times during the season, but when Cooper is at full strength, he's one of the best players in this class. His play on defense at defensive end will give colleges another position to potentially recruit him at as an EDGE player with the athleticism and physique that he has. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260138"],"_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-6969230384434"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1260138' first='Steven' last='Kinney'] moves over to the offensive line in the rankings in this update, his best position right now. We still believe in his potential along the defensive line, especially with his shorter frame, but film is too limited to properly evaluate him there. Kinney is a natural at OL and has performed at a high level for his age since his freshman season. His feet and athleticism are top-notch and should be enough to overcome length limitations as a college prospect in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->