Virginia Risers: 2029 Recruits Next In Line For Big-Time Offers

<p>After recently publishing our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/virginia/rankings/2029-watch-list/" id="https://prepredzone.com/virginia/rankings/2029-watch-list/">updated recruiting rankings for 2029</a>, it became pretty clear that a handful of talented 2029 prospects are still flying under the radar right now. Let's take a look at five of those players today:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1699674' first='Derrick' last='Lackey Jr.'] already has top-notch size and athleticism for the quarterback position, and he's been doing an excellent job this offseason working on his craft at different camps and events. His overall mechanics are pretty good; he just needs to work on his footwork right now.</p>   <p>He has tons of potential, showing off a big arm and great accuracy for being so young. It won't take long for Lackey Jr. to start reeling in some big-time offers, especially if he continues to put himself out there like he's been.</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/DeboLackeyJr/status/2071378593377083747?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2121735' first='Brock' last='Zakrzewski'] is undoubtedly one of the top athletes in the state in the 2029 class, and he's a dangerous weapon as both a receiver and kick/punt returner.</p>   <p>He has great size, vision, soft hands, and a good feel for the position when it comes to creating natural separation. He totaled 1,140 scrimmage yards as a freshman in 2025 and scored 18 touchdowns in just 9 games.</p>   <p>Zakrzewski looks to be a well-rounded receiver, and there's a very good chance that he'll be garnering some FCS-level attention soon.</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/BrockZak2029/status/1993102459162513618?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2143690' first='Maddox' last='Noles'] is already an absolute STUD at quarterback, showing off his above-average arm strength and touch whenever he's on the field. He's been killing it this summer in various 7-on-7's, and he was at QB Country in Nashville, TN earlier this year.</p>   <p>The future's undoubtedly bright for the Battlefield quarterback, and he's definitely someone to keep an eye on over the next few seasons. I'm fairly confident that more college coaches are going to be knocking on his door throughout his sophomore year.</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/Maddoxnoles29/status/2056513456061256170?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1699170' first='Khristian' last='Carruthers'] is an exceptional all-around athlete, and he's one of the more impressive ball-carriers in the 2029 class. </p>   <p>His ability to cut/accelerate on a dime is what makes him so impressive, and he already has a great frame for the position as well. He also runs with a good amount of power, consistently running through arm tackles near the line of scrimmage.</p>   <p>Carruthers has shown the ability to be effective both outside and running between the tackles, and he should be in line for a big year as a sophomore as the full-time starter at RB for CHS.</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/pahduca2/status/2068147531607888256?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1692697' first='Benjamin' last='Vanterve'] was one of, if not the best, freshman linebackers in the state of Virginia in 2025. He ended the season with 87 tackles, 5 PBU, 10 TFL, and 3 Forced Fumbles in 8 varsity games.</p>   <p>He's an excellent mover and sifts around the field well, which allows him to consistently be in advantageous positions against both the run and pass. Vanterve is a very sound tackler as well, consistently wrapping up and locking onto the hips of ball-carriers.</p>   <p>He's pretty versatile as well, lining up at multiple different LB spots for Loudoun Sports Academy last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1692697' first='Benjamin' last='Vanterve'] is another name that everyone needs to keep in mind going forward. There's potential for him to start landing some FBS-level offers with a big sophomore season in 2026.</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/Ben_Vanterve/status/2071346231054344567?s=20 </div></figure>    <p></p>

After recently publishing our updated recruiting rankings for 2029, it became pretty clear that a handful of talented 2029 prospects are still flying under the radar right now. Let's take a look at five of those players today: