2026 Team Preview: Linsly Cadets

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 SEASON RECAP</h2>   Biggest Losses: QB Braden Wade - WR/DB Lucca Troullos - OL/DL Felix Werr - RB/LB Malaki Washington - WR Jaxon Murray   Linsly's 3-7 record doesn't tell the full story of its 2025 season. The Cadets continue to play one of the toughest schedules in the region, regularly lining up against quality programs from West Virginia and neighboring states rather than searching for easier wins. As a non-WVSSAC member, Linsly isn't eligible for the state playoffs, but the program has never shied away from taking on anyone willing to play. The Cadets were competitive in several of those matchups despite the final record, and with an enrollment that would place them in Class A, they're a team capable of competing with many of the top AAA programs in the state. The Cadets have built a reputation for testing themselves every week against some of the area's best competition that will continue in 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 SCHEDULE</h2>   8/28: at Girard (OH) 9/4: at Steubenville (OH) 9/11: vs St. Clairsville (OH) 9/25: at Mogadore (OH) 10/2: at University 10/10: vs Manchester (OH) 10/17: vs Independence 10/23: at Louisville (OH) 10/31: vs Kiski School (PA) 11/7: at Wyoming Seminary (PA)   2025 Record: 3-7 2026 Prediction: 4-6   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 OUTLOOK</h2>   Don't overlook Linsly just because it isn't a WVSSAC member. The Cadets again have several quality West Virginia and out-of-state opponents on the schedule, and every one of those games will be a challenge. While another demanding slate won't make a winning season easy, this group has the pieces to take a step forward in 2026. If Linsly stays healthy and comes through in a few key matchups, finishing at or above .500 is well within reach. No matter the record, expect the Cadets to be a tough out every Friday night and a team capable of giving anyone on their schedule a competitive game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</h2>    RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 DL Darryn McCormick is the top prospect in Linsly's program entering the season in our eyes and one of the top defensive linemen in West Virginia's 2027 class. McCormick consistently wins with his first step, firing off the ball quickly to disrupt plays before blockers can get settled. He plays with good leverage, uses active hands to work through contact, and has the short-area quickness to create problems for offensive linemen throughout a game. McCormick has continued to build on the strong sophomore season that first put him on our radar and now ranks as one of the Top 3 defensive line prospects in the class. With his athleticism, technique, and upside, he should be a priority D2 recruit throughout the state and surrounding region heading into his senior season.      RETURNING STANDOUT   2027 LB Preston Hartley emerged as one of the leaders of Linsly's defense last season and continues to trend in the right direction. Hartley finished with 61 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and two sacks while consistently finding his way around the football. He brings a physical style to the linebacker position and has the versatility to line up inside or outside depending on matchups. Hartley also saw time at running back and fullback late in the season, adding another layer to his value. He's firmly in the conversation as one of the top linebacker prospects in West Virginia's 2027 class and is a player D2 programs should be paying close attention to this fall as a multi-sport standout for the Cadets.      RETURNING STANDOUT   Linsly will lean on 2027 OL Hayden Ward to anchor its offensive line this fall after another year of steady development. Ward put together a solid junior season at offensive tackle after flashing plenty of upside when we saw him in person before the season. There's still physical development ahead, but the athleticism and foundation are there for him to keep climbing as a college prospect. After a busy offseason on the camp circuit, he's in position for a strong senior campaign for the Cadets and a name to know.      RETURNING STANDOUT   Linsly has another quality 2027 linebacker to pair with Preston Hartley in Cole Kendzerski. An athletic outside linebacker, Kendzerski covers plenty of ground and is comfortable playing in space against both the run and pass. He reacts quickly, closes with urgency, and has the range to make plays from sideline to sideline. Kendzerski gives the Cadets another college-caliber defender at linebacker and should continue drawing recruiting attention throughout his senior season.      RETURNING STANDOUT   The opportunity is there for 2027 WR/DB Chris Upton to take the next step in his senior season. Upton has shown flashes throughout his career as a reliable option in Linsly's passing game, but this fall sets him up well to take on a larger role. He can become one of the Cadets' go-to playmakers and give the offense another consistent target. If that jump in production comes, Upton should finish his high school career with his strongest season yet.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Patience has paid off for 2027 QB/ATH Landon Cottrill, who is set to take over as Linsly's starting quarterback this fall after waiting for his opportunity. Cottrill brings excellent size at 6'4 195 and athleticism to the position, giving him intriguing positional versatility at the college level if quarterback isn't ultimately his best fit. He's continued to develop behind the scenes throughout his career, and staying committed to the program while waiting his turn says a lot in today's football landscape. Now it's Cottrill's offense, and all the pieces are in place for him to make the most of his first season as the Cadets' starter.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/landoncott2/status/2061597905983615312 </div></figure>     RETURNING STANDOUT   There's no shortage of ways for 2028 ATH George Mamakos to impact a football game. One of the top returning playmakers in Linsly's program, Mamakos filled the stat sheet during his sophomore season with 60 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception on defense while adding nearly 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns offensively. He plays with confidence, diagnoses plays quickly, and consistently gets the ball carrier on the ground in space. Whether he's making plays in the secondary or contributing with the ball in his hands, Mamakos is the type of athlete every team wants on the field and one of the top 2028 prospects to know in the state.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Linsly has an intriguing young tight end to watch in 2028 TE David Popper. After primarily serving as a blocker during his sophomore season, Popper helped create running lanes while showing flashes of what he can become as a receiving threat. He has the athleticism to get out in space, plays with good effort, and has plenty of room for his offensive role to expand moving forward. With more opportunities in the passing game, Popper has the tools to develop into one of the more underrated tight end prospects in West Virginia's 2028 class.      TRANSFER TO KNOW   Linsly has built a strong track record of developing international players, and 2028 OL Ryan Parkinson looks like the next one to watch. A native of Great Britain, Parkinson arrives in Wheeling with good size at 6'3 270 and the versatility to line up anywhere along the offensive line. He's still developing as a football player, but the physical tools give the Cadets plenty to work with, and their coaching staff has consistently done a good job molding raw talent into productive contributors. Parkinson is a new name in the program, but don't be surprised if he becomes an important piece of Linsly's offensive front over the next two seasons.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Another 2028 prospect ready for a larger role for the Cadets is WR/DB Skyler Hunter. Hunter showed encouraging flashes on both sides of the ball last season, particularly in the secondary where his range and athleticism stood out. He covers ground well at safety, isn't afraid to come downhill against the run, and can match up in the slot when needed. There's upside as a receiver as well, and with an expanded role this fall, Hunter has a chance to become one of the more productive young playmakers in Linsly's program.      BREAKOUT CANDIDATE   Earning a varsity starting role as a freshman is never easy, but that's exactly what 2029 ATH Tairee Smith accomplished at cornerback for the Cadets. Smith quickly proved he belonged, contributing on both sides of the ball and giving Linsly another young athlete capable of making plays in multiple phases of the game. His quickness and athleticism allow him to overcome a smaller frame, and those traits should continue to make him a valuable piece as his role grows. With several years still ahead of him in Linsly's program, Smith has all the tools to develop into one of the Cadets' top playmakers.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1827299' first='Justin' last='Heckman'] - 2027 WR/DB   Rocco Troullos - 2027 FB/LB   Jacoby Thomas - 2027 WR/DB   Brock Humphrey - 2028 RB/DB   Mason Liebelt - 2028 RB/P   [player_tooltip player_id='1673535' first='Eliott' last='Wade'] - 2028 OL/DL   [player_tooltip player_id='1673538' first='Andrei' last='Rosado'] - 2028 OL/DL   Griffin Hendershot - 2028 WR/DB   [player_tooltip player_id='1673541' first='Donte' last='McCabe'] - 2029 OL

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