2026 WV Team Preview: Jefferson Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Losses: OL Noah Hockman (TR) - OL Kip Waldeck - LB Takiem Drake - ATH Tre'Von Ledbetter - ATH Jackson Rockwell - LB Leeland Benner - WR Tony Allen Jr - DL Jonas Wiser - WR Lesdiel Machado - OL Silas Speet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson put together one of the most memorable seasons in program history, finishing 8-5 and reaching the Class AAAA state semifinals for the first time. After an 0-4 start, the Cougars caught fire, winning eight straight games behind a talented senior class that helped fuel an impressive postseason run. The resilience and confidence they built over the second half of the season transformed Jefferson into one of the state's toughest teams by November. While several key contributors have graduated or transferred, the Cougars hope to reload and a new group ready to build on last year's breakthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: at Spring Mills<br>9/4: at Morgantown<br>9/11: vs Sherando (VA)<br>9/25: vs Martinsburg<br>10/2: at Hedgesville<br>10/9: vs University<br>10/16: at Wheeling Park<br>10/23: at Musselman<br>10/29: at John Champe (VA)<br>11/6: vs Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>8-5 (Playoff Semifinals)<br><strong>2026 Prediction:</strong> 5-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson may be one of the toughest teams in Class AAAA to project entering the season. From the outside, many of the recognizable names from last year's semifinal run have graduated or transferred. Still, the Cougars have shown they're plenty capable of developing new contributors when opportunities arise. Expect a new wave of players to emerge alongside a handful of returning standouts as Jefferson looks to build on last season's momentum. We could see a step back while this group gains experience, but don't be surprised if the Cougars are once again playing meaningful football when November arrives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["895942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a6feda377d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>TRANSFER TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson added one of the biggest impact transfers in the state with the return of 2027 LB Kyree Brooks. After spending time at Washington and Cocoa (FL), Brooks comes back to West Virginia and immediately gives the Cougars a proven playmaker in the middle of the defense and at running back. His athleticism, physicality, and experience should help replace some of the production lost from last year's senior class, while his versatility gives Jefferson another option at running back if needed. Brooks' arrival is a major reason the Cougars remain a team capable of surprising people again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19496362/693504c75041c9a5741201aau0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a76603d989"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["862698"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a6feda3805"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 QB/ATH Braylon Holmes has been waiting for this opportunity, and he's ready to fully show what he's capable of as a senior. After battling injuries and patiently waiting behind an experienced group, Holmes is in line to take over the offense in 2026. His ability to stretch defenses vertically gives the Cougars another dimension offensively, and he'll have the chance to put his own stamp on the program. If Holmes settles into the starting role early, don't be surprised if he becomes one of the breakout quarterbacks in Class AAAA this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19238505/69483418fe32adfb3ce64235u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a76603da32"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2241152"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a6feda385e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Jefferson LB/DB Frank Turk looks poised to have a breakout year after a productive junior season. A versatile defender, Turk is at his best playing around the line of scrimmage, where his speed and quickness allow him to make plays off the edge, but he also has the athleticism to drop back and play deep safety when needed. That versatility gives Jefferson another player capable of filling multiple roles depending on the matchup. With a full year of experience behind him, Turk has all the tools to emerge as one of the Cougars' breakout defenders this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19475588/698b9ee22f71978784f415d5u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a76603dabe"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2064380"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a6feda38b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few players will have a bigger impact on Jefferson's success this season than 2028 LB Andy Roberts. After breaking out as a sophomore, Roberts returns as one of the leaders of the Cougars' defense while also giving the offense another proven weapon in the backfield. His instincts at linebacker and ability to make plays in multiple phases of the game allow Jefferson to keep one of its best athletes on the field as much as possible. Expect Roberts to be at the center of everything the Cougars do as they look to build on last year's memorable postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16766854/6941b63a7607a70352f0f136u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a76603db3b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624371"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a6feda38fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jefferson has another high-impact defender in 2028 EDGE Isiah Simmons-Kelly, who looks ready to take on an even bigger role this fall. After flashing as a sophomore, Simmons-Kelly gives the Cougars an athletic presence off the edge with the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. His combination of size and natural pass-rushing ability provides Jefferson with another weapon along the defensive front as it looks to replace several key seniors. With another offseason of development behind him, Simmons-Kelly has all the tools to become one of the breakout defenders in Class AAAA this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16695514/69c5607b74734033feb785fdu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a76603dbb6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenyon Brooks - 2027 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hiam Alvira - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chase Weaver - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaheim Gidney - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenyon Robinson - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kalvin McBride - 2028 OL<br></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->