2029 Rankings Debut: The Top 80

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   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.    Specialists are often overlooked in rankings, but 2029 Buffalo K [player_tooltip player_id='1968543' first='Carson' last='Shock'] has already earned plenty of attention after a strong freshman season. Ranked as the early #2 kicker, Shock stepped into a varsity role and delivered consistent production from the start for the Bison. He was perfect on his field goal attempts, connected on 30 extra points, and finished as the conference leader in kicking points. For a freshman, that level of reliability is impressive and gives Buffalo confidence every time he takes the field. Shock has already shown he can perform under the lights, and he looks well on his way to becoming one of the state's top specialists over the next three seasons.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CarsonShock/status/1987194342146986189 </div></figure>     2029 Elkins LB [player_tooltip player_id='1716506' first='Caleb' last='Robinson'] gives the Tigers a young player to be excited about. Robinson enters the rankings as the #7 linebacker after carrying momentum from a standout middle school career into high school. His physical style and instincts fit naturally at linebacker, where he consistently looks comfortable attacking downhill and finding the football. Elkins believes Robinson has a bright future, and it's easy to see why after watching the way he plays. Robinson has the tools to become one of the better linebackers in the class as his career unfolds.      Bridgeport continues to produce fundamentally sound football players, and 2029 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2112735' first='Jonathan' last='Calvert'] looks like another who fits that mold. Calvert stood out on the Indians' younger squad with the way he diagnosed plays and consistently put himself in position to make plays. His football IQ and play recognition were advanced for a freshman, allowing him to play fast without getting out of position. Those instincts give him a strong foundation as he continues to develop physically over the next few years. Bridgeport has a long history of developing linebackers, and Calvert has already shown the early signs of becoming the next one to know.      2029 Chapmanville WR [player_tooltip player_id='1716455' first='Easton' last='Bender'] is one of the more intriguing receivers to watch heading into his sophomore season. Bender broke into the varsity rotation as a freshman during the Tigers' best season in program history, an impressive accomplishment considering the talent on that roster. Ranked among the Top 20 2029 wide receivers, he has already shown he can make plays in multiple ways, whether it's catching quick throws underneath or getting behind the defense vertically. His versatility gives Chapmanville flexibility in how they use him, and he handled those opportunities well in year one. With several graduation losses creating openings at receiver, Bender is poised to take on a much bigger role this season. If his production matches his expanded opportunities, expect him to climb the receiver rankings.      2029 Tug Valley RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='2112742' first='Bryson' last='Richardson'] has already proven he knows how to produce, and the next few seasons should only bring more opportunities. Richardson is ranked among the Top 10 linebackers, but his two-way ability gives the Panthers a playmaker they can lean on in multiple phases of the game. While undersized, Richardson's instincts and knack for finding the football consistently show up on film. With Bryson Elia graduating, Richardson is expected to take on a much larger role at running back while remaining a key piece of the defense. His versatility and production make him one of the top young players to watch in Class A.      There's more upside than production with 2029 Cabell Midland WR [player_tooltip player_id='2112739' first='Ben' last='Thompson'] right now, and that's part of what makes him an intriguing evaluation. Thompson earned some varsity experience as a freshman and has the 6'2 frame that will develop well. While he's a work in progress, the physical tools are easy to spot and give him a solid foundation moving forward. He's a prospect whose ranking is based as much on his ceiling than on what he's shown so far, making him a name to remember over the next few years.      Versatility is a big reason why 2029 St. Marys RB [player_tooltip player_id='1971732' first='Ethan' last='Pierce'] debuts as the #8 running back in the class. Pierce has already proven he can make an impact with the ball in his hands, but his play in the secondary has been just as impressive during the early stages of his career. His 6'1 185 frame is well ahead of the curve for a freshman and gives him the size to excel in a variety of roles. That type of versatility makes him one of the more intriguing young athletes in Class A. As he continues to develop, Pierce has the potential to become one of the top players at the small school level.      2029 Hurricane LB [player_tooltip player_id='1408144' first='Tanner' last='Runyan'] quietly put together a strong freshman season while gaining valuable varsity experience. Runyan debuts among the Top 15 linebackers after showing the athleticism and instincts to develop into a quality outside linebacker. He moves well in space, closes quickly on ball carriers, and does a nice job finishing plays in the open field. Hurricane has also used him at tight end, giving another glimpse of his versatility and willingness to play a physical brand of football. As he continues to add size and experience, Runyan has the tools to become one of the better linebackers in the class, and a player whose best football is still well in front of him.      2029 Nitro TE [player_tooltip player_id='1748520' first='CJ' last='Lovejoy'] already found a role on one of the state's top teams last season, and that's no small accomplishment for a freshman. Lovejoy checks in as the #4 tight end, although his current build at 5'11 230 is more reminiscent of a traditional fullback. He's at his best doing the dirty work, consistently blocking well in both the run and passing game while showing the toughness coaches want from the position. Lovejoy also has enough quickness to be effective on short passes and as a lead blocker when working in space. How his frame develops over the next few years will help determine his long-term ceiling, but he's already proven he can be a dependable piece of an offense.      We came away encouraged after seeing 2029 Hedgesville OL [player_tooltip player_id='1682186' first='Ryder' last='Jackson'] at a camp before his freshman season, and are interested to see how his game progresses now that he's back in West Virginia. Jackson spent last fall playing in Maryland, but returns to Hedgesville with the opportunity to compete for early playing time in a rebuilding program. He has the versatility to line up at center or defensive tackle, and his toughness stands out regardless of which side of the ball he's playing. There's still plenty of development ahead, but the early traits are there for him to steadily improve over the next three seasons and become a valuable contributor for the Eagles.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtube.com/shorts/xMyf4d9dlNY?si=Oli408lL3Ia7IInG </div></figure>

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