2029 Mismatch Makers: 28 Early WR/TEs to Know

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   The 2029 Watch List has debuted with 125 freshmen prospects to know early on in West Virginia. Plenty more athletes will emerge and make their names known in the future, but here are the top WR names on our radar after their freshmen seasons.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">RECEIVERS</h2>    The top freshman receiver in the 2029 class in terms of production was far and away Independence WR [player_tooltip player_id='1690836' first='KJ' last='Viars']. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in his first year of high school with 56 catches for 1,047 yards and 7 touchdowns. Viars developed quickly physically and has the natural ball skills and athletic ability to be a top WR prospect in this class. Look for him to be at the top of the future rankings consistently throughout his career.      2029 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1716377' first='Christian' last='Irving'] was a rare freshman varsity contributor for the perennial power Martinsburg Bulldogs and carved out a role in year one. He has some of the highest potential in this class and will be a top prospect over the next three years for colleges to keep close tabs on. Irving is ahead of the game from a physical standpoint, which enabled him to take the field on Friday nights quicker than most and allowed him to be a standout blocker as well.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Christiani57834/status/2000903113926906276 </div></figure>     The Martinsburg Bulldogs have another potentially special class in the making with their 2029 group, and that continues with ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1716378' first='Jeremiah' last='Brown']. You'll likely find him making an impact on the varsity squad as a sophomore after what he put on film on their freshmen team. Brown looks effortless in the way he moves on the field as a gliding runner with very good burst and explosiveness for his age.      2029 Huntington WR [player_tooltip player_id='1329943' first='Kellen' last='Rife'] got some varsity action as a freshman and was a standout on the Highlanders' JV team this season. He'll be a top receiver prospect in this class during his career and is a name to get on your early recruiting boards. Rife is a dynamic playmaker with a natural feel for the game and with the ball in his hands, which will allow him to become a future star on Friday nights. He's elusive in the open field and will be a high-level YAC receiver with the speed to outrun most defenders consistently, as a confident future D1 prospect in our eyes.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kellen_rife/status/1985552316469297513 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1716432' first='Nehemy' last='Appiah'] adds to Martinsburg's loaded 2029 skill group as another top receiver prospect to know in the class. Film is limited from his freshman season right now, so a full evaluation will come at a later date. We know his ceiling is at the top of the 2029 class from his size, athleticism, and early playmaking ability. Irving, Brown, and Appiah have the potential to be a special receiver group on varsity in the future and one of the best in recent memory from the same class.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AppiahNehemy/status/1957302792277663753 </div></figure>     An early top playmaker at receiver in the 2029 class who did a great job on varsity as a freshman is Robert C. Byrd's [player_tooltip player_id='1743469' first='Elijah' last='Holmes']. He's a multi-sport standout for the Eagles with a very good basketball background as well to follow closely over the next three years. Holmes has dynamic upside as a slot receiver who can develop into a high-level YAC receiver and someone you can be creative with for how you get the ball in his hands.      South Charleston has a pair of high ceiling pass catchers in their 2029 class with the first to know being [player_tooltip player_id='1716431' first='Devin' last='Lazo']. He was a high impact varsity player in his first season and showed flashes of high potential on both sides of the ball for the Black Eagles. Lazo is a fluid young athlete with clear natural ball skills and playmaking ability that will make him a top receiver prospect in this class throughout his career.      The second South Charleston WR prospect you'll want to know in the 2029 class is [player_tooltip player_id='1716380' first='Amari' last='Valentine']. He made early headlines in his freshman season after catching the game-winning Hail Mary in their first game against Ripley, and continued to flash throughout his first year. Valentine also has defensive back potential and will be a key two-way player as they turn their program back around.      Film is limited from [player_tooltip player_id='1736010' first='Cailiek' last='Demello']'s freshman season, but keep a close eye on his development over the next three years. He has a good early frame that could allow him to also grow into a linebacker or safety prospect with the athletic ability he has as a young player. Once more film becomes available of him, expect Demello to be at the top of the skill rankings.      Another 2029 Wheeling Park WR prospect to know moving forward is [player_tooltip player_id='1736054' first='DJ' last='Neal']. He did a nice job on their freshman team this season and flashed upside as a developmental slot receiver. Neal is elusive in space and can consistently make defenders miss with light feet and sudden cuts. Physical development will make him more explosive and improve his burst, but Neal has shown early progress in becoming a future varsity starter.      [player_tooltip player_id='1716455' first='Easton' last='Bender'] saw himself earn varsity playing time as a freshman on Chapmanville's best season in school history. That speaks to his early ability and potential as he's likely to earn significant reps as a sophomore and potentially start after some talented graduation losses at receiver for the Tigers. Bender can be utilized in the screen game or as a vertical threat out of the slot and at wideout, and he proved to be able to execute both roles as a freshman.      Wyoming East has a young offensive weapon emerging in freshman WR [player_tooltip player_id='1971730' first='Cameron' last='Huffman'], whose speed and versatility have stood out early in his varsity exposure. A quick, explosive athlete, Huffman excels when the ball is put in his hands, whether attacking the perimeter, working in space, or taking advantage of mismatches against defenses. His acceleration allows him to stress defenses vertically, while his ability after the touch shows up on quick hitters, sweeps, and designed touches. With the flexibility to align in multiple spots, including the backfield, Huffman brings added value as a dynamic offensive piece and is a developmental prospect worth tracking as his role continues to expand.      Wirt County 2029 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1971735' first='Andrew' last='Lemley'] has already established himself as a key contributor for the Tigers, impacting games on both sides of the ball early in his career. Offensively, he has shown a natural feel for finding space and finishing plays, pairing reliable ball skills with an understanding of how to create separation and generate yards. His early production reflects a player comfortable with responsibility, while his athletic profile gives him flexibility to be used in a variety of offensive roles as his development continues. With three seasons ahead of him, Lemley's all-around skill set and competitiveness make him a long-term small school prospect worth tracking as his usage evolves.      2029 Parkersburg South WR [player_tooltip player_id='2112392' first='Carson' last='Nutter'] did a nice job for the Patriots at all three levels of their program as a freshman. The Freshman/JV teams are where he made his biggest mark in year one as a slot receiver and safety, showing upside at both positions as a young player. Nutter did a nice job in the screen game and showed upside as a YAC receiver with the speed to outrun defenders if he gets a step on them. He also showed reliable hands on some tough contested catches as well, and should steadily develop into a future varsity contributor.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CarsonNutt5/status/1994860555497025749 </div></figure>     A name to tuck away for later out of the Musselman program is 2029 WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2112400' first='Nate' last='Barra']. He performed well on the Applemen's JV team this season as a receiver, running back, and safety. Barra showed promise at all three spots and is a quality, versatile young athlete who should develop into a varsity contributor sooner rather than later. He's a fluid athlete who has flashed some athletic traits that lead you to believe he has a bright future ahead of him in time.      A developmental WR prospect in the 2029 class to follow up on down the road is Point Pleasant's [player_tooltip player_id='2112407' first='Ryan' last='Gibbs']. In his limited amount of film, Gibbs showed he has the length anf stright-line speed to develop into a future varsity standout. His speed in the open field stood out to us, which, paired with his 6'1 size, earned him a spot on the 2029 Watch List.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ryan1Gibbs/status/1998201988794962405 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER WRs WITHOUT FILM TO KNOW</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1608448' first='Jaxson' last='Seals'] (Huntington)   [player_tooltip player_id='1716434' first='Titan' last='Kortz'] (George Washington)   [player_tooltip player_id='1716387' first='Titan' last='Baruwa'] (Parkersburg South)   [player_tooltip player_id='1716442' first='Chuckie' last='Armstrong'] (Fairmont Senior)   [player_tooltip player_id='2112394' first='Brayden' last='Mossor'] (Princeton)   [player_tooltip player_id='1716429' first='Konner' last='James'] (Independence)   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ronqwell-jackson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[player_tooltip player_id='2112397' first='Ronqwell' last='Jackson']</a> (Martinsburg)   [player_tooltip player_id='1673178' first='Tairee' last='Smith'] (Linsly)   [player_tooltip player_id='1716456' first='JW' last='Nestor'] (Grafton)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TIGHT ENDS</h2>    2029 Huntington TE [player_tooltip player_id='1408734' first='Aiden' last='Barnett'] will be a top tight end prospect that colleges will want to know in this class. He was a standout on their JV team this season and is likely to make an impact on varsity moving forward. Barnett is highly athletic for his age and has the frame to grow into a future D1 TE prospect in our eyes. His ball skills stand out early on, with a long wingspan and ability to haul in difficult catches.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Aiden_Barnett5/status/1996263025406251218 </div></figure>       Capital continues to build its future foundation with freshman TE [player_tooltip player_id='1716459' first='Camden' last='Bulger'], who has already gained valuable varsity experience early in his career. Possessing encouraging size for his age, Bulger shows a physical profile that projects well as he continues to develop and add strength. His background in basketball is evident in the way he moves, giving him a foundation for body control and spatial awareness that should translate effectively at the tight end position. With continued growth and refinement, Bulger has the tools to emerge as a consistent Friday night contributor, making him a long-term prospect college staffs will want to monitor.      2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1748520' first='CJ' last='Lovejoy'] has earned a meaningful role for the Nitro Wildcats as a TE/H-back, contributing on a varsity unit that advanced to the state championship game. Built with a compact, physical frame, Lovejoy has shown the ability to handle blocking responsibilities in both the run and pass game, consistently executing his assignments within Nitro's offense. His quickness and functional athleticism also provide flexibility, allowing him to be used on designed touches and short-area targets while serving as a lead blocker to the second level. As his body continues to develop over the next few seasons, his long-term positional outlook will become clearer, but his early ability to contribute on a high-level team speaks to his football IQ and reliability as a young prospect.

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