2029 Rankings Debut: The Top 100

<p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p>   <p>The release of our inaugural 2029 Top 100 rankings provides an early look at some of the top young talent across West Virginia. With most of these prospects just beginning their high school careers, evaluations are based on a combination of freshman film, camp performances, live exposures, athletic traits, and long-term upside. At this stage, projection plays a large role, but there is already plenty of talent emerging throughout the state. These rankings are far from final and will continue to evolve as players gain experience, develop physically, and put more film out for evaluation. For now, this serves as our first look at the names we believe have positioned themselves among the top prospects in the Class of 2029.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">2029 Herbert Hoover LB [player_tooltip player_id='1958016' first='Ryder' last='Andruzis'] enters the rankings among the Top 15 linebackers after flashing plenty of long-term potential during his freshman season. He already has a solid 6'1 185 frame for the position and the athleticism to cover ground from sideline to sideline. Andruzis plays with a high motor, consistently pursuing the football and making his presence felt in all phases of the game. His versatility is a bonus, but we believe linebacker is where his future is brightest as he continues to develop physically and gain experience. The traits are there for him to become a productive LB, and he has the upside to develop into one of the better linebackers in the class over the next few seasons.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RyderAndruzis15/status/2031891588327104646 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Musselman's [player_tooltip player_id='2112400' first='Nate' last='Barra'] checks in as the #8 ATH thanks to the versatility he displayed throughout his freshman season. Barra made his biggest impact on the JV team, seeing time at receiver, running back, and safety while showing he could be effective in each role. He's a smooth, natural athlete who adapts well to different responsibilities and gives coaches plenty of flexibility. The more you watch him, the easier it is to see why his future could be at several different positions. As his body matures and he gains varsity experience, his ceiling will continue to rise. Barra is a player we'd expect to hear much more about over the next few seasons as his role expands.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">2029 South Charleston RB [player_tooltip player_id='2112373' first='Kaden' last='Thomas'] debuts as the #10 running back after an encouraging freshman season on both sides of the ball. While he also flashed at linebacker, we like his long-term projection best at running back, where his 5'7 frame and physical running style are a better fit. Thomas plays with plenty of toughness, competes hard every snap, and made the most of his varsity opportunities in year one. He isn't afraid to run through contact and consistently brings energy whenever he's on the field. That same mindset allowed him to contribute defensively as well, showcasing the type of competitor he is. Thomas has established a solid foundation and should continue developing into an important piece of South Charleston's offense over the next few seasons.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Morgantown has another intriguing young playmaker developing in 2029 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2113247' first='Braylon' last='Jordan']. The #11 running back in the class stood out on the Mohigans' younger squad with his athleticism, quickness, and ability to make defenders miss in space. Jordan may not be one of the bigger backs in the class, but he's elusive with the ball in his hands and consistently creates extra yardage. He also has the receiving ability to line up in the slot, giving the offense another weapon beyond the backfield. The Morgantown coaching staff is high on his future, and his athletic traits make it easy to understand why. As he continues to develop physically, Jordan has the tools to become a productive offensive varsity playmaker.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BraylonJor1/status/2019273732850692105 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Projecting future growth is part of evaluating young linemen, and that's the case with this 2029 Wahama DL [player_tooltip player_id='2112709' first='Amari' last='Ward']. Ranked among the Top 10 defensive linemen despite limited film, he's a prospect we're betting on because of the tools he already possesses. His 5'11 250 frame is well built for his age, giving him the strength to hold his own in the trenches with plenty of physical development still ahead. Playing at a small school may keep him under the radar, but he has the makeup to become a quality varsity contributor this season. As more film becomes available, Ward will have every opportunity to prove he belongs among the top defensive linemen in the class. For now, he's a name worth tucking away for the future.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AmariW18954/status/1988813646055829582 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">2029 Ritchie County LB [player_tooltip player_id='2079514' first='Ashton' last='Byrd'] is one of the top small school defenders to know in the class after a standout freshman season. Byrd piled up 80 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, making his presence felt every snap for the Rebels. Although he spent some time along the defensive line, we see his long-term future at linebacker, where his motor, instincts, and effort to the football stand out. He's a dependable tackler who consistently finishes plays and doesn't waste time getting downhill. Production like that is hard to ignore, and Byrd has already established himself as one of the more promising young linebackers in Class A.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AshtonByrd44/status/2066288755778986199 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">2029 Capital DB [player_tooltip player_id='2111873' first='Mizaiah' last='Harris'] gives the Cougars another young defensive back with plenty of upside. Ranked as the #7 defensive back in the class, Harris impressed on the JV team as a freshman and showed the athletic traits to develop into a quality varsity starter. He covers ground well, closes quickly on the football, and does a nice job pursuing plays once the ball is in the open field. Capital's roster turnover should create an opportunity for Harris to see extended varsity action this season, putting him in a position to take a significant step forward. As he continues to add strength and size, Harris has the tools to emerge as one of the better defensive backs in the class.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">2029 Parkersburg South QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1716382' first='Asher' last='Prunty'] is an intriguing prospect who currently sits at #10 in the quarterback rankings. Prunty led the Patriots' JV offense as a freshman and showed encouraging dual-threat ability by making plays with both his arm and his legs. He's a natural athlete who extends plays well and has the mobility to create when the pocket breaks down. Continued growth as a passer will determine how high he can climb in the quarterback rankings, but the tools are there to build on. Even if Parkersburg South uses him in other ways along the way, Prunty has the playmaking ability to make an impact at other positions, and it will be interesting to see how his development unfolds over the next few seasons.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/APrunty95535/status/2024324380529209357 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">2029 John Marshall ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1673177' first='Blaise' last='Holt'] is one of the more versatile prospects in the class and a player whose long-term position is still taking shape. We first saw Holt at a camp before his freshman season, where he flashed ability at both quarterback and kicker. During the season, he made most of his impact as an athlete on the JV team, seeing snaps at running back while showing the athleticism to line up at several other positions. Receiver and defensive back remain possibilities, and he also has the tools to develop into a quality kicker prospect. After transferring from Linsly to John Marshall, Holt will be an interesting player to follow as his role continues to evolve. His versatility gives him several different paths to becoming a varsity contributor over the next few seasons.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Buffalo closes out the early defensive back rankings with a promising young prospect in 2029 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1968391' first='Jacob' last='Cossin']. Cossin rounds out the Top 8 at the position after earning varsity playing time as a freshman and showing encouraging traits in the secondary. He brings good speed and quickness to the defensive backfield, plays with confidence, and isn't afraid to challenge receivers when the ball is in the air. His closing speed allows him to recover quickly and make plays on the football, even when initially out of position. As he continues to add strength and experience, Cossin has the athletic tools to develop into a dependable defender for the Bison defense over the next few seasons.</p>     <p></p>

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