Preseason X Factors: Westview Football

Westview broke through last season to claim their first state championship since 2021, led by a potent offensive attack that was finalized with 62 points in the state championship game to record an undefeated season.   While the Chargers have a potent offense, they have plenty of two-way talent that makes the team a complete machine that can certainly claim another perfect season and state championship if they remain locked in.   These five players will be crucial pieces of the puzzle this season as Westview seeks to go back-to-back.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson']</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='424594' first='Graham' last='Simpson'] is an exciting quarterback prospect with football bloodlines that is the latest Simpson brother to lead Westview to a state championship victory.   He has excellent touch, which allows for him to consistently push the ball down the field at the high school level and fit throws in over the middle of field if challenged.   While he is surrounded with talented playmakers, he is accurate when working at every level of the field, helping put his receivers in strong run-and-catch opportunities.   He plays three sports and is a natural athlete, offering upside as a scrambler and designed rusher when required.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes']</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] is a strong running back prospect with excellent size, initial burst and one-cut ability, resulting in a complete skillset for a big tailback.   When he finds a rushing lane, he breaks hard downhill and with his solid hips that allow for him to be an effective cutter, he has been a touchdown machine at the high school level.   He is tough to bring down with his frame and athleticism, consistently putting his offense ahead of the chains, something that can translate to the next level of the sport.   He has also shown the ability to impact the game as a receiver in the dump-off game, where he utilizes his run after contact ability.   He plays both ways for his school, putting forth a strong linebacker season as well bringing the assertive physicality to the other side of the ball.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 CB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown']</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown'] is a blue-chip cornerback prospect with good size, natural athleticism and ball skills.   He is comfortable playing in the half-turn and maintains leverage and positioning even when working down the field, giving him the ability to cover perimeter receivers at every level of the field.   With his good size, he brings a physical element to the game that a lot of corner prospects at this stage tend to avoid. He works to get his hands on the receiver without getting penalized, working through the catch point to make a play on the ball.   He also plays receiver and is productive with those ball skills translating to the defensive side of the ball, creating plays on the ball any chance he can get.   He is a key part of the special teams aspect for his high school.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman']</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1032139' first='Drake' last='Hickman'] is a promising talent along the defensive line with his combination of size, athleticism and versatility.   He plays the strong end position in his team's three-man defensive front and makes an impact in a variety of ways from that alignment.   He has legitimate pass rushing upside that can grow into a 3-tech at the college level. He has a developing arsenal of tools, but he has shown strong flashes of a productive swim move against better opponents on the schedule.   Against the run, he has a high motor and works hard to gain inside leverage to take away his gap assignment and force rushers to not run his way.   He is also a key piece of the offensive line for his team, claiming a tackle spot on the state title run.   Hickman is an exciting prospect that will look to improve the subtleties in his game to take the next step from promising young prospect to a next top recruit at Westview.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1789693' first='Coree' last='Wells']</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1789693' first='Coree' last='Wells'] is a versatile linebacker prospect with good size and length that allows for him to make plays from a variety of alignments.   He is the glue that holds his team's front seven together, playing a large amount of the outside linebacker/edge hybrid, while also playing a significant role as an inside linebacker.   He is a productive player that racks up tackles and is consistently around the football, whether that is stopping the run, rushing the passer or even dropping back into coverage.   He plays with a strong motor, combining with the physical tools to chase down ball carriers at the high school level.

Westview broke through last season to claim their first state championship since 2021, led by a potent offensive attack that was finalized with 62 points in the state championship game to record an undefeated season.