Friday Night Freshmen: The Future of Class A

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   The Stock Up Showcase is Returning to West Virginia on January 3rd in Bridgeport! Use Code SUWV25OFF for a 25% off discount at checkout! Register <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2594/register/stock-up-showcase-west-virginia">HERE</a>   The freshman class is already flashing intriguing talent across the state, with several young players earning varsity opportunities and making an impact in year one. For freshmen, simply getting on the field is an accomplishment, but their early film lets us see which players have the athletic traits, physical tools, and instincts to become future standouts. This spotlight highlights some freshmen making their presence felt on Friday nights and offers an early look at the future of Class A.    Wheeling Central already has an early top name to know in the 2030 class with ATH Wyatt Stephens, who has made a big impact for the Knights as a freshman. Stephens has stood out against Wheeling Central's tough out-of-state schedule and is contributing in all three phases, totaling 346 all-purpose yards as a receiver, rusher, and returner while adding 30 tackles at safety. He's a gifted young athlete and an instinctual playmaker who has already flashed the kind of explosive potential in his first five games at the high school level. Stephens is one of the more intriguing freshmen in the state right now and looks like a must-know prospect early on.     Expression Prep has taken a big step forward in its second year as a program, and freshman quarterback Karson Mannon has played a big role in that progress. The 2030 QB has completed 63% of his passes for 649 yards and 8 touchdowns with just two interceptions through four games, while adding another 200 yards and five scores on the ground. Mannon is a true dual-threat who has already shown the poise to handle a varsity starting role at a young age. He still has plenty of physical development ahead at 5'11 150, but his early production gives him a strong starting point. Mannon is one of the few starting varsity freshman quarterbacks in the state and has a bright future at the position.     Man has a promising young quarterback in Terry Ellis, who has already gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman behind center. The 2030 QB has a lanky 6'0 frame that will continue to fill out, and he has enough athleticism to make plays with his legs when opportunities are there. Ellis is getting his first taste of high school football against a brutal schedule, but those reps should be valuable as he continues to develop and become more comfortable at the varsity level. There's a lot to like about his early potential, and Ellis has a chance to develop into a rare four-year starter at quarterback for the Hillbillies.     2030 ATH Jameson Evans is already getting his first taste of varsity football at Tolsia, and he's showing some early flashes worth keeping an eye on. The younger brother of standout quarterback Robert Evans, Jameson appears to have similar natural athleticism, but he's making his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball right now. He's earned meaningful reps as a freshman and has recorded 22 tackles through the first five games. He doesn't yet have his older brother's size at 5'7 160, but the athletic foundation is there, and he looks like a young player who could grow into a future star for the Rebels.     St. Marys has a young linebacker to watch in 2030 LB Waylon Dawson, who has already flashed during his first few games at the varsity level. He has 20 tackles, 3 TFLs, and an interception through four games, with a natural feel for finding the football from the middle of the Blue Devils' defense. Dawson gets downhill quickly, shoots gaps well, and closes on the ball with good quickness. The limited film shows a young defender who isn't afraid to get physical and mix it up between the tackles. There's still a lot of development ahead, but Dawson is showing enough early on to keep him on the radar as a promising small-school player.      2030 Montcalm QB/ATH Adrienne Allen had his breakout performance last week against Mount View, giving us an early look at how much upside he has. Allen went 8/11 for 227 yards and five touchdowns through the air, added 40 rushing yards and even picked off a pass on defense. Through four games, the dual-threat quarterback has thrown for over 500 yards and 6 touchdowns while adding another 120 yards and a score on the ground. He's still early in his development, but his natural athleticism and production give the Generals a high-ceiling young player to build around. If Allen continues developing, he could be a terror at the Class A level throughout his high school career.     2030 WR/DB Ridgely Varney has already given Webster County some encouraging flashes during his first season and is a young athlete worth tracking. He's getting some opportunities at receiver in a crowded group, but Varney has made his biggest impact at safety. His three interceptions against Richwood are a good sign of the playmaking potential he has on the defensive side of the ball and something you'll see more of as he settles in at the high school level. Varney is a developmental player but has flashed early and should develop into a future standout for the Highlanders in time.     Richwood has a standout young defender in 2030 LB Hunter Adkins, who has already made a big impact for the Lumberjacks as a freshman. Adkins is on the smaller side, but that hasn't stopped him from finding the football at a high level, with 31 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 2 sacks through four games. Adkins has also made his presence felt on special teams with a pair of blocked kicks, and plays with a high motor and effort that has forced his way onto the field early on. Adkins will be a name to know at the Class A level as he continues to develop.

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The Stock Up Showcase is Returning to West Virginia on January 3rd in Bridgeport! Use Code SUWV25OFF for a 25% off discount at checkout! Register HERE

The freshman class is already flashing intriguing talent across the state, with several young players earning varsity opportunities and making an impact in year one. For freshmen, simply getting on the field is an accomplishment, but their early film lets us see which players have the athletic traits, physical tools, and instincts to become future standouts. This spotlight highlights some freshmen making their presence felt on Friday nights and offers an early look at the future of Class A.