Top Virginia Prospects from the Appalachia Prep Combine

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Saturday (May 4, 2024) I was able to attend the Appalachia Prep Combine at River Parks Edge in Roanoke, Virginia. Thank you to JT and the rest of the crew who hosted the event for allowing me to attend. I will review the top players from Virginia at the event below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow The Appalachia Prep Combine on their socials for additional coverage of the prospects:<br>X/Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@ScoutAPC</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/npcombine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">facebook.com/npcombine</a> <br>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ScoutAPC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">youtube.com/@ScoutAPC</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>View the Full Highlights below (via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ScoutAPC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">youtube.com/@ScoutAPC</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc23inBpAlg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc23inBpAlg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>View the Combine Award winners and Top 20 players:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC/status/1786850017002611070","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC/status/1786850017002611070 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC/status/1787059191103787301","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC/status/1787059191103787301 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Virginia Performers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were many great players at the combine from multiple states. In this article, I will be focusing on players from the state of Virginia, but be sure to follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>X/Twitter</em></a> as well where I will be sharing info on the non-Virginia prospects as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282058' first='Ashton' last='Dixon']</strong><br>DB, WR | Class of '25 | Rustburg HS | Rustburg, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashton was a force to be reckoned with on every rep. He has superb Press Coverage skills with quick hands and reaction time. His jam is forceful and can stop WRs who are larger than himself. Unfortunately, he does not have an X/Twitter account or highlights on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16392964/ashton-dixon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Hudl</em></a> page, but I will update this article if those do come. View my clips of him below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GoLions1934/status/1787577137203155224","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GoLions1934/status/1787577137203155224 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1232457' first='Eli' last='Taylor']</strong> | <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19056047/Eli-Taylor">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/elitaylorQB2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em><br>QB | Class of '25 | Salem HS | Salem, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-performing QB at the combine, Eli was able to create good timing with the WRs and RBs despite not working with them before. As the starting QB for Salem last year, he led them to become the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/12/phoebus-vs-salem-class-iv-state-championship-players-of-the-game/">state finals runner-up</a> in Class 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1232847' first='Kron' last='Furguson']</strong> | <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15688233/Kron-Furguson">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/FurgusonKron">Twitter</a></em><br>DB, WR | Class of '25 | Fleming HS | Roanoke, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ranked as the 111th ATH by us and just received <a href="https://twitter.com/FurgusonKron">his first offer</a> from Hampton Sydney University. Kron isn't afraid to play physical in tight coverage and displays good ball skills. Shows the ability to use his athleticism to create separation as a WR. I expect more offers will be coming for him as time goes on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Otis Cartrett</strong> | <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16676351/Otis-Cartrett">Hudl</a></em><br>OL | Class of '27 | Appomattox County HS | Appomattox, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Otis was the top offensive lineman at the combine. Only one clip on Hudl and no X/Twitter account was found, but I imagine we will be seeing film of him this fall. He was determined to get better with each rep and did not back down from competition. Very strong hands that will latch onto defenders and not let go. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1232494' first='Gavin' last='Walker']</strong> | <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13117462/Gavin-Walker">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/54_Gavin_Walker">Twitter</a></em><br>LB | Class of '25 | Lord Botetourt HS | Daleville, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Came to the Combine as a Linebacker but played defensive line and offensive line for Lord Botetourt last season. Ranked as the 63rd defensive lineman in our rankings, he has the size and athleticism to be a versatile player in the front-7 of a defense. He received <a href="https://twitter.com/54_Gavin_Walker/status/1787482717707243789">his first offer</a> from Hampton Sydney University recently as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabe Lilly</strong> | <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18306320/gabriel-lilly">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/glilly_01">Twitter</a></em><br>LB | Class of '26 | Graham HS | Bluefield, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabe is a versatile linebacker who plays good in coverage but also displays the strength to set and edge. He can cover running backs in man out and drop into zone coverage. Finished last season with 55 tackles and 5 sacks. See a clip he posted below: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/glilly_01/status/1787167103352479937","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/glilly_01/status/1787167103352479937 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282114' first='Gavin' last='Whited'] </strong>| <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16686980/Gavin-Whited">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/gavinwhited01?lang=en">Twitter</a></em><br>WR | Class of '25 | Richlands HS | Richlands, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We missed Gavin in our Class of '25 rankings, but he definitely has play-making ability. He displayed good agility and change of direction in his route running at the combine. He will be one to watch this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402281' first='Desmond' last='Jordan']</strong> | <em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17014018/Desmond-Jordan">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/Des1jordan">Twitter</a></em><br>QB | Class of '26 | Alleghany HS | Covington, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desmond has been on Carl and I's radar for over a year now. The two top QBs at the combine were left-handers and Desmond is a dual threat. He is a playmaker and leader of his team. Expect to see more coverage of Desmond when our 2026 rankings come out soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1637150' first='Daven' last='Reed']</strong> | <em><a href="https://twitter.com/78Daven_Reed">Twitter</a></em><br>OL, DL | Class of '28 | Patrick Henry HS | Roanoke, VA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daven is a name you will be hearing over the next four years. Just now finishing up 8th grade, Daven looked like he belonged with the rest of the linemen who attended the combine. He should be gaining Power-4 attention in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC/status/1786933470083621365","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ScoutAPC/status/1786933470083621365 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile.<br>Follow me on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a>&nbsp;for further content |&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a>&nbsp;| Virginia Scout&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a></em>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<em>View my previous Prep Redzone articles&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/">here</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->