2024 WV Team Preview: Jefferson Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>For a discounted subscription to view all of our content, use Code PRZWV30 at checkout for 30% off!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jefferson Cougars lost some talented players off of their playoff quarterfinals squad but still return a strong group that could end up making some noise this season. The Cougars have a high-potential 2026 class in the making with many of them already in our Top 150. They'll face a tough yearly EPAC schedule, perennially strong Spring Valley with out-of-state foes sprinkled in, and a wide margin of potential record finishes. If Jefferson's rising juniors can step up in a big way this season, the Cougars may exceed our expectations even with a tough schedule and be a surprise team in the eastern panhandle. We'll learn quickly about the 2024 version of the Cougars in week one against a potential Class AAAA dark horse in Spring Mills who will have revenge on their minds after a close loss in week one last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 TEAM SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>08/30 (A) Spring Mills <br>09/06 (H) Sherando (VA)<br>09/14 (A) Spring Valley<br>09/20 (-) Open<br>09/27 (H) Martinsburg <br>10/04 (A) Hedgesville <br>10/11 (H) South Hagerstown (MD)<br>10/18 (H) Millbrook (VA)<br>10/25 (A) Musselman <br>11/01 (A) Clarksburg (MD) <br>11/08 (H) Washington </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Record Prediction: </strong>6-4<strong><br>2023 Record:</strong> 9-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907161"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb63e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jefferson will have one of the more dynamic players in the state this season with 2026 RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='907161' first='Tay'Shaun' last='Roper']. Roper earned PRZ WV Combine MVP honors at running back this year and is beginning to see his college interest pick up. He's worthy of a lot more looks as a prospect and will likely have plenty of opportunities with a strong senior season. As a junior, Roper rushed for 725 yards and 7 touchdowns and finished the season with 1,400 all-purpose yards as a multi-faceted athlete who can be a difference maker in all three phases of the game. Roper is an electric player with very good speed and quickness who can break open the game at any moment and on any touch. He has a great burst and can get to full speed very quickly which paired with his shorter stature makes him very tough to find and corral at the LOS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roper may be the Cougars' best offense this season and could put up some big numbers as their featured player during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16098581/6564eff5c11a2707cc1c64d1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba35d695b9e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["865700"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb645a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An underrated quarterback in the 2025 class in our eyes is Jefferson's [player_tooltip player_id='865700' first='Dylan' last='Harich']. His recruiting has seemingly been quieter than it should be based on his social media activity, but Harich should open some eyes as a senior after producing a strong junior campaign. In 2023, Harich threw for 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions and is an athletic quarterback who also rushed for 400 yards and 6 more scores. Harich has a 6'2 frame that can be further developed to maximize his athletic potential and more ability to absorb contact as a potential dual-threat quarterback. He's a bit unpolished as a passer mechanically but that should be intriguing for colleges as he still produces at a high level and is a natural playmaker at the position. Harich extends plays well and is comfortable working within the pocket when it breaks down and can make a play with his legs or arm when scrambling out of it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harich has the arm talent to develop into a D2-level quarterback in time with clear potential and upside for the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16345565/657102345b47fd093c1f331b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba35d695c5b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1126447"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb649f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small college prospect that you need to know this season from Jefferson is 2025 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1126447' first='Noah' last='Bagent']. The 5'9 275 big man played inside and outside as a junior defensive lineman last season and projects as an interior DL at the next level. Size is the obvious trait that hurts his prospect ceiling, but Bagent is stout for his stature and held up well against bigger offensive linemen last season. He can out-leverage longer offensive linemen and gets under and sheds them easier than taller defensive linemen. Bagent is a quality run-stopping interior lineman who has the strength to hold his ground at the LOS and can take on double teams in Jefferson's 3-man front. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D3 programs should be watching Bagane closely this season and is a solid prospect for that level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16645820/6561614890eecc0878675c07' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba35d695cf1"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260005"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb64da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This will be a big season for our next two mentions in a pair of 2026 receivers with the first being [player_tooltip player_id='1260005' first='Tre'Von' last='Ledbetter'] who comes over from Washington this season. He was a WR Top Performer at our PRZ WV Combine earlier this year and we anticipate him translating that to the field this year. Without any game film to date, we're watching Ledbetter closely to prove the high regard we have for him which recently ranked him inside of the 2026 Top 60. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Ledbetter in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2026-prospect-new-to-the-top-100/">2026 rankings New Additions article</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The next two new additions to the rankings are tied together with each having the same story as Jefferson WRs without much game film but had good performances out at our combine event back in May. That starts with WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260005' first='Tre'Von' last='Ledbetter']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/trevon-ledbetter/"></a> who had a strong showing at both receiver and defensive back at our camp and could flip to DB in the rankings in the future depending on what film is available this season. The Cougars will have a talented receiver group for the next two seasons with a strong 2026 class which will be fun to watch play out to see which ones emerge as the alpha."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1206525"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb6516"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other 2026 Jefferson WR without game film that impressed at the PRZ WV Combine is [player_tooltip player_id='1206525' first='Ricardo' last='Lewis']. Just like Ledbetter, Lewis needs game film to cement the high ranking we have for him right now, and believe he'll show us why he's in the 2026 Top 60 this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Lewis in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2026-prospect-new-to-the-top-100/">2026 rankings New Additions article</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The second Jefferson Cougar with the same story as Ledbetter who impressed at our combine but has limited game film is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206525' first='Ricardo' last='Lewis']</strong>. He's a bit longer with some solid testing numbers at our camp and earned a WR Top Performer spot as an unknown heading into the event. Lewis showed us enough in person to warrant a Top 15 WR ranking at this time but will need to back it up this season on the field and prove our hunch we have about him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["896585"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb6574"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='896585' first='Jackson' last='Rockwell'] is a versatile athlete who also did some good things at our PRZ WV Combine as part of a talented Jefferson group. He earned Second Team All-EPAC as a sophomore as a two-way athlete who can give you great snaps at both receiver and defensive back. Rockwell produced strong testing numbers at the Combine and has quality length to air with them which gives him a nice ceiling as a prospect. He'll have more opportunities in the passing game this season as a junior as Jefferson will be looking for some receivers to step up and lean on their talented 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockwell is the type of athlete who will help your team in a variety of ways and can impact the game in more ways than one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16110031/652c6f61dfd9db0468cea110' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba35d695e0d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1183506"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb65c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jefferson has a pair of talented 2026 linemen who showed some great things as sophomores with [player_tooltip player_id='1183506' first='Silas' last='Speet'] being the first to know. He was another PRZ WV Combine participant that we got to see in person earning OL Top Performer honors which paired with his sophomore film earned him a spot in the 2026 Top 70. Speet was a fearless blocker as a sophomore last season and played with the edge you like seeing in a young lineman. He's a stout athlete for his age and was an imposing pulling guard who was strong at the point of contact last season. Speet uses his hands well and has the early strength to drive defenders off the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speet should take a nice step forward as a junior as he grows into his frame further and develops his game with a bright future ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17760645/660760e82552b96669f92dbe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba35d695e9f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227638"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb6608"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1227638' first='Kip' last='Waldeck'] will be a powerful presence in the middle of the Cougars' offensive line again this season as their center. Waldeck handled those duties as a sophomore in 2023 and should be bigger and stronger as a junior. Waldeck packs a lot of punch in his smaller frame for the position and plays much above his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what we recently said about Waldeck in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/07/2026-summer-rankings-update-stock-risers/">2026 rankings Stock Risers article</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We got to see 2026 Jefferson OL&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227638' first='Kip' last='Waldeck']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kip-waldeck/"></a>&nbsp;in person for the first time at our combine event back in May and liked what we saw after being impressed by his junior highlight tape. The one trait that keeps him lower in the rankings is size at 6'0 230, but we're betting on him to keep growing as he has the talent to play at the next level. Waldeck utilizes every ounce of his smaller frame that he can and is pound for pound one of the strongest athletes in the 2026 class. Waldeck's raw strength translates to the football field and is a physically imposing player with good technique and fundamentals who anchors the Cougars' offensive line at center."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17793590/65f0e2a3041dae03dc15d4cb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba2aadb661d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='894673' first='Takiem' last='Drake'] - LB | 2026 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227636' first='Leeland' last='Benner'] - LB | 2026 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605206' first='Tony' last='Allen'] - WR/DB | 2026 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='894658' first='Noah' last='Hockman'] - DL | 2027 Top 60</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1160617' first='Channing' last='Proctor'] - DL | 2027 Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->