First 4 Games Underclassmen DL Film Spotlight

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   The first four weeks of the season give us a good look at which players are making an early impact and putting themselves on the recruiting radar. For seniors especially, this stretch of film is essential, as college coaches evaluate current-season tape to see how prospects perform against live competition and whether their game translates to the next level. This spotlight takes a closer look at players with film from their first four games that colleges need to check out.    Trevaun Tyson has been one of the most disruptive defensive players in the state through the first four games and has put himself firmly into the Huff Award conversation. The 2028 EDGE has posted 20 tackles and 7 sacks for South Charleston, creating havoc off the edge consistently. Tyson's hands are a major part of his success, as he's developed the technique to consistently shed blocks and win his pass-rush reps. His speed and quickness become even more dangerous when paired with his low pad level and refined technique, making him a difficult 1-on-1 matchup for tackles. Tyson is proving why we have him ranked as the #1 EDGE in the 2028 class and is playing like one of the state's top defensive players.      2028 Jefferson EDGE Isiah Simmons-Kelly flashed as a sophomore last season, and that momentum has carried into his junior year for Jefferson. He's an athletic defender off the edge who is agile in space, allowing him to maintain contain and string plays out laterally. Simmons-Kelly finds the football quickly and has the closing speed to chase plays down from the backside. He's still developing as a pass rusher and overall player, but there's a lot of upside in his game. Simmons-Kelly has the tools to develop into one of the top EDGE prospects in the 2028 class as he continues to mature.      2028 OL/DL Andrew Sweeney has shown good two-way upside for Woodrow Wilson during his career, but his play along the defensive front has really stood out through the first four games. Sweeney has the frame to play inside at 6'2 260, but he moves well enough to play defensive end in the Flying Eagles' scheme. Sweeney is nimble and agile for his size, and he still has room to add more to his frame as he develops. He's also done a great job getting his hands on passes and reading the play when he doesn't get home to the quarterback, showing a strong feel for tipping passes. Sweeney has good play strength and doesn't get pushed around easily, allowing him to make impactful plays. He remains an underrated name in the 2028 class in my eyes and is a prospect to know moving forward.      Paul Cochran has been a productive varsity player for Riverside since his freshman season and is continuing that with a strong start to his junior year. The 2028 DL has primarily worked as a 3-4 OLB this season, which fits his frame better than playing as a traditional defensive end. Cochran has a high motor off the edge and crashes downhill well, combining quickness with strength. He also moves fluidly in space and consistently finds the football. Cochran's experience and production make him a talented player to keep an eye on the rest of the year.      Breaking into the varsity lineup is a big step for 2028 East Fairmont OL/DL Miles Kidder, and he's earned that opportunity as a junior. Kidder has seen action on both sides of the line through the first four games, with most of his film coming at offensive line, which is where his long-term projection could be strongest. He's also flashed some upside on the defensive side this season and during the offseason that will give him options as a prospect. Kidder is still developing and has plenty of development ahead of him, but the work he's put in to earn varsity reps is starting to show.      Elijah Smith has been an interesting young player to follow through the first four games as he gets his first taste of varsity football. The 2028 DL has shown good flashes of the quickness and physicality this season, and he's earned himself an important role on one of the top defenses in the state early on. Smith is still developing, but there are encouraging traits on film that make him a prospect worth tracking in this class. With more varsity reps, Smith is a young defensive lineman who could emerge as a notable prospect in time.      2028 EDGE Jaydyn Clark has made a strong early impression in his first season with Grafton after transferring into the program for his junior year. Clark has brought a quick and powerful presence off the edge and has created havoc as a pass rusher. He also does a good job holding his ground in run support and plays with high effort when he sees an opportunity to crash down and get to the football. His combination of quickness, power, and motor has made him an intriguing underclassman to watch through the first four games.      2028 Cabell Midland EDGE Jaeden Robinette has shown some intriguing versatility and upside through the first four games. He can move around the defensive front and has shown good bend and quickness from the interior, giving offensive linemen a tough matchup as a smaller but quicker interior lineman. Robinette does a nice job shedding blocks and penetrating, and his high motor helps him consistently get in the action. He's still early in his development, but the combination of athleticism, quickness, and versatility gives Robinette an intriguing foundation to build on as he continues to gain varsity experience.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/B_L3qAbbGd0?si=2yqVvTOv0xAq4yQV </div></figure>     Keenan Brown is already one of the best young linemen in the state, and the 2029 University OL/DL is showing why through the first four games. Brown is a two-way starter for the 4-0 and #1-ranked Hawks as a sophomore and has played well on both sides of the ball to open the season. He's a strong, nasty player who has the kind of physicality you want from a lineman. Brown's violent punch consistently creates movement, and he brings that same power to both sides of the line. He's a well-developed young lineman with a high ceiling and is a player to keep close tabs on as he continues to develop.      Hedgesville is working through a transition year with a new coach and a young roster, but 2029 OL/DL Ryder Jackson is a good building block for the Eagles up front. He returned to West Virginia this season and has made an immediate impact as a two-way starter, seeing time at guard and center on offense and defensive tackle on the other side of the ball. Jackson fires off the ball and has the athleticism to get to his spots quickly and make plays in space. He's stout at the point of attack and consistently creates push, showing the physical traits to make an impact on both sides of the line. Jackson is a young lineman worth keeping tabs on as Hedgesville continues to develop its roster.      Point Pleasant's Raylen Johnson is a young developmental prospect that's showing some encouraging traits in his second season under a new coaching staff. The 2029 DL is limited physically at this stage, but he does a good job using his natural leverage and effort to compensate. Johnson is playing defensive end and can give longer tackles some trouble getting underneath them due to his 5'9 frame and ability to read the play. Johnson's best football is still ahead of him, but there are traits to build around over the next two years.

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