New to the 2025 Rankings: Top 100 Defense/Specialists

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WV 2025 Rankings have been updated and there are now 125 players in the class ranked! There were many new additions to the Top 125 so let's break down which players were added in this update. Here are the defensive players that were added in the 2025 Rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908107"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Hurricane DL [player_tooltip player_id='908107' first='Shalik' last='Hampton'] isn't new to our state rankings but he's new to the defensive rankings after moving from tight end to defensive line. Hampton was originally our #1 tight end in the 2025 class when he was at Capital but played mostly defensive line after transferring to Hurricane. He now ranks as a Top 10 prospect in the 2025 class and our #2 defensive lineman in the class after a very productive season for the Redskins. Hampton finished his junior season with 41 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 6 sacks. The 6'4 225 defensive end saw his athleticism from the tight end position translate well to the defensive line and he flashed some high-level potential this season. Our Top 10-15 is reserved for D1 graded prospects and I'm very confident in saying that Hampton is a D1-level athlete who should see interest from that level soon.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["908108"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another former tight end in our 2025 Rankings who made the move to the defensive line in the latest update is Buckhannon-Upshur's [player_tooltip player_id='908108' first='Carter' last='Zuliani']. Zuliani was previously the #2 ranked TE in the class but after a very good junior season at defensive end he is now the #4 ranked DL and moves up 36 spots to #20 overall in the class. I've been a big fan of Zuliani for a while now and although he still has all of the capabilities to still be considered a TE prospect his potential is sky-high at defensive end. He's a legit 6'6 230 with high-level athleticism from his basketball background and you can tell when watching his film how high his ceiling can be. Buckhannon-Upshur doesn't throw the ball around much so his TE film is limited but the DL play he put on tape this season gets you excited. I'm very confident in naming him a D1 prospect and expect to see him receive some offers from that level in time.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["908993"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Scott LB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='908993' first='David' last='Fennessy'] is a very intriguing prospect that I'm high on and the only question about him is which position he'll play at the next level. Is he a linebacker, a safety, or both? Fennessy has film of all three and may play a hybrid role in college. He led the Skyhawks in tackles and sacks this season and tied for second for TFLs. He's a versatile athlete and warranted a Top 50 ranking and will be considered a linebacker for now in the rankings where he placed 5th for the position. Fennessy is a rangy player regardless of where he's at on the field and is very athletic. His 5'11 190 size also reaffirms him being a bit of an LB/Safety tweener which isn't a bad thing and gives him some options as a prospect. We'll see how they use him next season to determine which position he'll finish at in our rankings but Fennessy will rank highly regardless.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1039808"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"One of the highest stock risers in the 2025 class regardless of position from the 2023 season was Nitro defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1039808' first='Zaevyon' last='Dickerson']. He was not on our radar until this season and when we evaluated prospects at the midpoint of this season Dickerson really jumped out and was named a DB stock riser. If we broke up the DB rankings positionally he would currently rank as the #1 safety prospect in the 2025 class. Dickerson was second on the team for tackles with 94 total along with two interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. I love his versatility of being physical enough to make plays in the box but also has the athleticism to play deep safety and roam around in coverage. You see his athleticism pop when he reads a run play at free safety and gets downhill quick enough to make a play at the line of scrimmage. Dickerson is a sure tackler in the open field with very good pursuit speed. If he can keep adding weight to his 6'1 length his stock will rise even more and could potentially flirt with some D1 interest.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["921948"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Class AAA WVSWA Honorable Mention All-State and First Team All-Coalfields Conference performer [player_tooltip player_id='921948' first='Landon' last='Jones'] out of Woodrow Wilson enters our 2025 rankings at #52 overall and the #6 linebacker in the class. The 6'3 215 MLB was not previously on our radar but after a quality junior season for the Flying Eagles he's now looking just outside of the Top 50 in the class. Of course, he has the prototypical size you're looking for at that position but Jones also showed quality athleticism on film to pair with it. You can tell he can easily get up to 230-235 pounds with his long frame which would make him an even more dangerous Mike linebacker. You can see that athleticism and power on offense as well when he's getting carries at fullback. Jones is your classic downhill physical middle linebacker who can make plays at and behind the line of scrimmage. He has good pursuit speed and is a sure tackler in the open field. Lack of coverage highlights hurts him a bit but everything else you want in an athlete at the position is there.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["938592"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"While Winfield corner [player_tooltip player_id='938592' first='Tre' last='Tanner'] may be undersized at 5'9 150, he's one of the more technically sound defensive backs in the 2025 class. You aren't going to find many corners his size that are trusted to play press man coverage but Tanner plays above his size at a high level. Tanner is a really good athlete who not only flashes it at corner but also does so on special teams as a returner. He does a nice job playing the ball and attacking against bigger receivers. Tanner has good recovery speed in coverage and is quick enough to play the ball if a receiver gets a step on him. Size limits his ceiling as a prospect but nothing about his game suggests he lets that hinder or hurt him. I wouldn't recommend overlooking him because of that and will continue beating the drum that he's one of the best defensive backs in the 2025 class and in the state.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["909092"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"There are some very good specialists in the 2025 class and George Washington K/P [player_tooltip player_id='909092' first='Jordan' last='Price'] currently ranks in the Top 3 of them. Price was a Second Team All-MSAC performer this season as a junior and should build on the success he had this year next season. Price was 2/2 on field goals this season for the Patriots with a long of 35 yards but you would feel comfortable letting him try from 50+ if needed. His powerful leg is also on display on kickoffs where he consistently booted touchbacks this season including 10 in one game against St. Albans. Price also has the ability to punt where he averaged over 30 yards per punt as a junior. The 2025 specialist class will be one of the deepest in recent memory with Price being one of the headliners of the group.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["909000"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"John Marshall RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='909000' first='Maverick' last='Lemasters'] was a very pleasant surprise in 2023 after seeing an extended role this season when the starting running back from last season decided to transfer out. Lemasters, who was expected to be the starting fullback, stepped up at running back and all he did was rush for 1,250 yards and 9 total touchdowns. However, his ceiling as a linebacker is even greater, and with the added size he's put on since his sophomore year, he's put himself in the conversation as one of the top linebackers in the 2025 class. The 6'1 195 middle linebacker is your typical downhill physical tackler with good hips through contact. His athleticism that he showed at running back translates to the defensive side of the ball with good pursuit speed. Lemasters' physicality is also apparent when shedding blockers and fighting through the line of scrimmage. He's also a quality wrestler which you can see on the football field in the 190-pound weight class.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1034976"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Martinsburg linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1034976' first='Ace' last='Flores'] saw extended playing time in the early part of the 2023 season when [player_tooltip player_id='908988' first='Nick' last='Busky'] was out with an injury and should see a bigger role in 2024 for the defending state champion Bulldogs. He'd be a full-time starter on most teams in the state but when you have a loaded roster like Martinsburg does year in and year out there are talented players waiting in the wing. Flores is listed at 6'0 190 but he's a well-put-together 6'0 190 and he could easily get in that 220-pound range. I thought his athleticism and hustle jumped out when watching his film and he's able to pursue ball carriers downfield and be an effective coverage linebacker. If Flores is a full-time starter in 2024 I would expect to see his ranking increase and stock rise with a solid senior season on the best program in the state.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1106035"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"We're taking a bit of a flyer on Roane County athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1106035' first='Lane' last='Watson'] but it's a very safe flyer. The 6'2 210 FB/LB had very limited linebacker film but led the Beavers in tackles with 86 including 7 for a loss and also led the team in interceptions with 4. Watson also was the second-leading rusher with 619 yards and 11 touchdowns and led the team in receiving yards with just under 500 yards and 6 more scores. He was the leader in all-purpose yards with 1,720 and is a very good returner on special teams. Given how big he is, it's very impressive the amount of production he had at the skill positions and speaks to the level of athlete he is. If Watson posts more linebacker film from his upcoming senior season I would expect him to really jump up in our rankings.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["909091"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Another specialist that debuted in our Top 100 of the 2025 Rankings is Point Pleasant K/P [player_tooltip player_id='909091' first='Alex' last='Shrader']. Shrader was a PRZ WV Class AA First Team All-State selection this season and ranks as the #4 specialist in the 2025 class. He was 27/32 on PATs this season and booted 22 touchbacks on kickoffs as a junior. Shrader also handles the punting duties for the Big Blacks and averaged over 41 yards per punt in 2023. He has a powerful leg that could comfortably hit from north of 50 yards on field goals if he was asked to. Shrader is also a standout soccer player where he helped lead Point Pleasant to their first-ever state championship which has translated to his success on the football field. He's a 2-time All-State selection by the WVSWA and should repeat those honors in 2024 for his senior season along with his honor from PRZ WV.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["908995"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Unfortunately, Scott defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='908995' first='Dalton' last='Milam'] played in just the first two games of the 2023 season due to an injury but will still debut in the 2025 Rankings as the #10 DL and Top 100 player. Milam made the move to defensive end this season after having played middle linebacker as a sophomore in 2022 where he totaled 53 tackles and 6 TFLs. I think that move raised his ceiling as a prospect and the 6'3 235 DL will hopefully return in 2024 fully healthy and ready to back up that claim and ranking. His size and athleticism translate better on the line of scrimmage and although film from his junior season is very limited you could tell that he was going to have a productive year if he had stayed healthy. We'll have a better idea of his future outlook on the defensive line after his senior season but his potential and upside should be noted now even with a shortened season.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["1113237"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"University defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1113237' first='Kylan' last='Blunt'] was someone who impressed at the recent Winter Exposure Showcase back in December where he earned MVP honors and entered our Top 100 as the #8 DB in the 2025 class. Kylan was one of three Blunt brothers who played for the Hawks this season and comes from an athletic family background. He had a productive junior season for University from his safety spot totaling 31 tackles and picking off 4 passes. Blunt is often tasked with playing single-high safety as the Hawks' center fielder and he has the ability to roam around in coverage but also is a good open-field tackler. He has the speed and athleticism to be the last line of defense in their secondary and not allow anyone behind him. With a big senior season, Blunt has the opportunity to increase his ranking and would benefit from increased size during the off-season.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65938daaaddb0"} /-->