2026 Prospects New to the Top 100

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spring 2026 Rankings have been updated with many new prospects making their debut. The 2026 rankings have been expanded to 125 total prospects since our winter update. Here are the prospects who debuted inside the Top 100 of the 2026 rankings during the spring update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>There are still plenty of spots left for our Combine coming to Morgantown, WV on May 4th! Code WVHSCombine24 will get you a discount if you'd like to attend! For more information please click this <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1108/register/combine-series-west-virginia">link</a></strong>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136969"],"_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":"John Marshall broke in a new quarterback in 2023 and experimented with two sophomores before [player_tooltip player_id='1136969' first='Kayden' last='Knapp'] eventually took the reins as the season went on. Knapp just wrapped up a very good basketball season for the Monarchs and is a quality overall athlete whose upside is very high. While he nor his team were happy with how last season went, Knapp flashed real potential behind center at times and showed he can develop into one of the better 2026 quarterbacks in the state. He has great early size at 6'3 185 and proved he has the athleticism to be a dual-threat QB. Knapp has a quick release with fluid mechanics from snap to throw. He showed flashes of operating well within the pocket and can make defenders miss inside of it or take off and run where he's also dangerous. Knapp also showed the ability to make tough throws from a variety of angles and platforms with apparent arm strength that can stretch the field. He has experience operating under center and from the shotgun showing he can execute either. If Knapp continues taking the next steps in his development over the next two years, he can finish as one of the state's best in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1138227"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1138227' first='Jordan' last='Kovacs'] is one of a handful of Musselman athletes who will be making the move to state-power Martinsburg next season to play for the defending state champion Bulldogs in 2024 and debuts in the 2026 rankings as the #18 OL. He has some catching up to do in the size department at 6'1 235 but flashed at times on his limited sample size of sophomore highlights. Martinsburg will need to replace a few important pieces on their offensive line next season and Kovacs will be in contention for one of those spots. In the limited highlights available, Kovacs showed good footwork and agility with obvious athleticism that gives him a good base to build on moving forward. I also liked seeing the nastiness and physicality he flashed on some of his blocks. Most of his reps were at tackle even as a shorter lineman right now which is a credit to how well he moves. Kovacs could slide inside to guard where he can be an effective puller and trapper with the skillset he showed and that's likely where he'll play at the next level pending a growth spurt. He'll have some tough competition at a program of Martinsburg's prestige, but I believe he'll earn a starting spot possibly as soon as next season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["882030"],"_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":"Although unsure of his plans, Wirt County QB [player_tooltip player_id='882030' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] made the move to Parkersburg South after the football season where he played basketball for the Patriots and showed a lot of good things during his time at Wirt. As a sophomore, Smith passed for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns on a team that heavily relied on its running game. There aren't a lot of highlights available from his sophomore season, but from what is, Smith flashed some very good traits that can translate to Parkersburg South if he decides to continue playing football there. He has good length at 6'2 150 and can make strides in his development the more he fills out his longer frame. Smith also flashed smooth mechanics and operated well for a sophomore QB in his first year starting at the varsity level. The Patriots will be searching for a new quarterback in 2024, and Smith should be in the mix if he continues playing and has the talent to win the job.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["894975"],"_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":"Spring Mills QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='894975' first='Rylan' last='Swartz'] will have to wait his turn to be the Cardinals' QB1 with top-ranked 2025 QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='865709' first='Max' last='Anderson'] returning for his final season in 2024 but can take the reins in 2025 for his senior year. Swartz has the athleticism to help the team in other ways until then and was an All-EPAC performer as a sophomore punter last season. He has great size at 6'3 205 and showed some good things on film in spot duty at quarterback last season when opportunities were available. Swartz's arm strength was apparent with the ability to stretch the field vertically and can throw with zip on intermediate routes. He also showed he can make plays outside the pocket and can throw accurately on the run while under control. More future opportunities will realize his potential as a prospect with increased reps and is someone who can rise in the rankings with more of a sample size in the next two years.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1139400"],"_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":"I expect North Marion linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1139400' first='Josh' last='Holden'] to take a big step forward next season for the Huskies as a junior where they'll be looking for some underclassmen to step up in a big way after reaching the Class AA state championship last season. We'll get a great look at Holden at our combine coming to Morgantown on May 4th and are excited to see him in that environment after getting some run last season as a sophomore on a very good North Marion team. His best football will be coming over the next two seasons, but Holden showed early traits as a young player in 2023. He does a nice job reading plays as they develop and can make strides in reacting quicker and playing faster heading into his junior season. Added strength over the off-season will also greatly benefit him next season where I expect him to make a big jump and take the next step in his development. Holden was able to learn from one of the state's best linebackers the past two seasons with 2024 LB [player_tooltip player_id='370356' first='Casey' last='Minor'] so watch out for him to have a breakout junior season for the Huskies.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1052799"],"_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":"Nicholas County 2026 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1052799' first='Coleton' last='Hellems'] produced a quality sophomore season for the Grizzlies and debuts in the Top 100 of the 2026 rankings as the #8 QB. The 6'3 180 rising junior threw for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions in 2023 with a respectable completion percentage of 63%. He doubles as a quality baseball player who will have some options for which sports he wants to play in college but can develop into a quality football prospect over the next two years. Hellems is a raw quarterback which makes him even more intriguing once he irons out his mechanics and further develops as a passer. He's your classic pocket passer who can take off and run when necessary but operates better behind the line of scrimmage. Hellems does a nice job taking what the defense gives him which is a testament to his low turnover rate and higher completion percentage for a high school sophomore. His best football is ahead of him, and Hellems could rise in the rankings in the next two seasons as he continues developing.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6615b82484481"} /-->