2025 WV Team Preview: Huntington Highlanders

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   We're confident in saying that the 2025 version of the Huntington Highlanders will boast the most talented roster in the state of West Virginia this season. They have dudes at every position with very few question marks heading into game one. They are certainly challenging themselves with their schedule this year, with three state champions highlighting the gauntlet to prepare them for the postseason. While the Highlanders may suffer a blemish or two in the W/L column during the regular season, they'll be battle-tested and ready for a state championship run come playoff time.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h2>   8/29: vs Oakland (TN) 9/5: vs Martinsburg 9/12: vs Spring Valley 9/19: vs Hurricane 10/3: at Capital 10/10: vs Parkersburg 10/17: at George Washington 10/24: at Sevier County (TN) 10/31: vs Cabell Midland 11/7: at Linsly   2024 Record: 11-2 2025 Prediction: 8-2    [player_tooltip player_id='894642' first='Tayveon' last='Wilson'] was moved from WR to ATH in our 2026 rankings update, and he'll show the state why this season when he takes over as QB1 for the Highlanders. The Clemson TE commit ranks as our top overall prospect in the 2026 rankings as the premier athlete in West Virginia this season. Wilson has the athletic ability to execute any skill position on both sides of the ball at a high level, but it will be intriguing to watch him as a passer this season with weapons galore around him to utilize. Their ceiling for this season will depend on Wilson's arm in their trek for a state title.      Huntington will boast the top offensive line group in the state this season, with 2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='866257' first='Mason' last='Ramsey'] leading the charge as our #1 offensive lineman in the class. He was a great addition to the program last season and should take a step forward in his second year in a vastly different system than he was used to at Cabell Midland. The Marshall commit will pave the way for Huntington's success this season in hopes of a state title.      2026 Huntington WR [player_tooltip player_id='1599383' first='Deuce' last='Olden II'] has been anxiously waiting to show what he can do for the Highlanders after having to miss most of the 2024 season due to transfer rules. The Florida product will add to a loaded Highlander skill group and another high-level weapon for Wilson to target in the passing game. Olden is the type of athlete that you can get creative with on offense as well if they want to find easy ways to get the ball in his hands. He has several FBS offers to his name, but a big senior year would garner more P4 interest for him.      A huge addition to the Huntington program this season will be 2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1138205' first='Caleb' last='Parlier'], who transferred in from Cabell Midland for his senior year. He's another D1 prospect for the Highlanders to utilize and added another impressive piece to their loaded offensive line group. Parlier is a G5 prospect who may add to his list of offers during his senior year. He has the combination of athleticism and physicality that colleges are looking for and has made great progress in adding size over the years.      Huntington goes 1, 2, and 3 in the 2026 offensive line rankings, with [player_tooltip player_id='866258' first='Aryn' last='McPherson'] rounding out the Top 3. He's hoping to add D1 offers to his list this season, which we fully believe he's capable of. Athleticism is likely the one trait that programs from that level are waiting to see how he progresses in, as the size and ability is certainly there. We have an FCS grade on McPherson and would recommend programs from that level to keep close tabs on McPherson this fall as a multi-year starter for an always talented Huntington program that make it difficult to do so.      We're looking for 2026 Huntington DL [player_tooltip player_id='1138539' first='Max' last='Bohren'] to have a big year for the Highlanders and further show the potential we saw in him as a sophomore. He possesses the size and ability to further elevate his game beyond what he demonstrated as a junior, and should take a step forward in his senior year. Bohren is still far away from his final form as a player, and is still worthy of FCS looks this fall in our eyes.      Similar to Bohren, 2026 Huntington DL [player_tooltip player_id='1538857' first='Braxton' last='Mount'] is another long and athletic defensive line prospect capable of big things this season. He's another athlete who FCS programs should keep an eye on this fall, but is a definite take for D2 colleges. Mount has an excellent DE frame that can be further molded at the next level and has a high athletic ceiling for the position.      The leader of the second level of the Highlander defense this season will be 2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='866678' first='Bryce' last='Winkfield']. He could see increased carries on offense, but projects as a linebacker at the next level. Winkfield has patiently waited for more opportunities as an upperclassman and should now be a top player on defense. If his measurables check out, expect Winkfield to add more offers to his list this season, with Gannon and Marietta extending him his first two.      Huntington has several top prospects in the 2027 and 2028 classes to pair with their loaded senior class, with the highest-ranked one being LB [player_tooltip player_id='863631' first='Ilias' last='King']. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore, leading the Highlanders in tackles. King is one of many D1-level prospects for Huntington in our eyes, and has a high ceiling as a middle linebacker. He could start seeing offers from that level this season or heading into his senior year with the potential to blow up as a prospect, similar to his senior teammates did previously.      Look for 2027 Huntington ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1260046' first='Donte' last='Newsome'] to finally break out on the Highlanders' varsity squad in 2025. He's been patient in developing at the JV level with some varsity opportunities to date, but has high upside and potential as a player and prospect. His Top 10 ranking in the 2027 class reflects that description, but proving it on Friday nights will be necessary for him to remain there. Newsome has D1 athletic ability in our eyes and could make an impact at a few different positions this fall.      We're expecting big things from 2027 Huntington WR [player_tooltip player_id='920512' first='Andreas' last='Reese'] this season as he builds on the success he had as a sophomore. He's another athlete that you can be creative with on offense for how you get the ball in his hands. Reese is an explosive athlete with innate playmaking ability, which Huntington will need if they want to win a title in 2025.   Here's what we recently said about Reese in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2027-summer-rankings-update-offensive-stock-risers/">2027 Rankings Stock Risers article</a>:   "Huntington's [player_tooltip player_id='920512' first='Andreas' last='Reese']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/andreas-reese/"></a> is becoming a household name in the 2027 class in West Virginia and is ready to have a true breakout season for the Highlanders as a junior. They'll have a loaded skill group once again in 2025, but Reese should be one of their top playmakers on offense after showing flashes as a sophomore last season. He's always a top performer at each camp he attends, and it's time for Reese to showcase his explosive playmaking ability on a larger scale on Friday nights as a junior, which we expect him to do."      We got to see 2027 Huntington DL [player_tooltip player_id='1272161' first='Jeremiah' last='Lyles'] in person a couple of times this summer, where he impressed us. You saw why he's highly regarded by us in the 2027 rankings as the #3 DL prospect in the class. Size will be his biggest obstacle as a prospect that he will need to convince bigger colleges to overlook as an interior defensive lineman. The ability and athleticism are there, though for Lyles to do just that, and he should steadily progress over the next two seasons.      A high-potential player in the 2027 class is Huntington EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1272661' first='Antonyo' last='Paschall']. He'll see time on both sides of the ball for the Highlanders and was a quality TE for them as a sophomore. We see Paschall projecting as an EDGE in college and got to see him perform there in person this summer, where he showed a lot of upside as his body develops.   Here's what we recently said about Paschall in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2027-summer-rankings-update-defensive-stock-risers/">2027 Rankings Stock Risers article</a>:   "Formerly ranked as our #2 TE prospect in the 2027 class, after seeing Huntington's [player_tooltip player_id='1272661' first='Antonyo' last='Paschall']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/antonyo-paschall/"></a> in person this summer, he now holds our #1 EDGE spot in the class. That was always likely to be where he ended up in the rankings, but we needed to see a bigger sample size of Paschall there before moving him over. He showed a lot of potential and upside at a camp this summer that we attended at that position, and he has a frame that can be significantly molded by his senior year. The raw potential and athleticism make Paschall an intriguing prospect if he continues to put in the necessary work to get there."      Another piece to Huntington's offensive line success this season will be 2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1330188' first='Collin' last='Gadd']. He was a valuable depth piece as a sophomore for the Highlanders and should be a full-time starter as a junior. If he takes a step forward this season, expect Gadd to be a future stock riser in the rankings.   Here's what we recently said about Gadd in our<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/new-additions-to-the-2027-top-70/"> 2027 Rankings New Additions article</a>:   "Someone who we've seen in person a couple of times this summer and earned a spot in the Top 70 is 2027 Huntington OL [player_tooltip player_id='1330188' first='Collin' last='Gadd']. He'll be a key piece to the Highlanders' offensive line this season after getting valuable playing time as a sophomore among a loaded group of linemen. Gadd could likely play every spot along the offensive line for Huntington, and he proved as much as a sophomore, lining up at both tackle spots and right guard. That versatility will appeal to colleges in the future as Gadd is a potential stock riser in the rankings once he's a full-time starter."      Expect 2027 Huntington DB [player_tooltip player_id='1616173' first='Ethan' last='Goodson'] to make his name known more as a junior this season for the Highlanders. We've liked what we've seen from Goodson as a sophomore as a safety prospect. He's capable of being effective playing downhill and in coverage on the back end of their defense. If he can keep adding size, Goodson has the athletic traits to be a top defensive back prospect in this class, where he currently ranks in the Top 10.      Huntington has two Okonkwo prospects to know in the 2028 class, with the first being RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624358' first='Mayshaun' last='Okonkwo']. They both have very high ceilings as players and prospects, with Mayshaun likely to be their top option in the backfield this year. He's the type of athlete who could demand college attention as a sophomore if he has a breakout sophomore season.   Here's what we recently said about Okonkwo in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-10/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a>:   "2028 Huntington RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624358' first='Mayshaun' last='Okonkwo']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mayshaun-okonkwo/"></a> lit up JV defenses last season as a freshman and should earn varsity touches as a sophomore for the Highlanders. He may end up being their top running back this season and is going to be a top name to know moving forward. Okonkwo is your classic scatback with a ton of juice with the ball in his hands. He was moving at a much different pace than everyone else on the field in his JV film, and is a very fluid athlete laterally as well. Okonkwo will be a future dynamic playmaker on varsity, which we should begin to see this season. D1 programs will want to follow his progression closely."      Another Okonkwo to know for Huntington this season is 2028 WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1624328' first='Travon' last='Okonkwo']. We're eager to see his role on the varsity team this season as the type of athlete who could explode as a prospect in the future. His ceiling is higher than his current ranking, and we expect him to be a dude for the Highlanders in time.   Here's what we recently said about Okonkwo in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-20/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a>:   "2028 Huntington WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1624328' first='Travon' last='Okonkwo']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/travon-okonkwo/"></a> has the potential to fly up the rankings once he carves out his role at the varsity level. Receiver feels like his most natural position right now as an athlete who also lined up at quarterback and running back on the Highlanders' JV team last season. With his size and athleticism, Okonkwo has a very high ceiling with obvious D1 upside that you can see flashes of in his game film. We'll see if he can carve out a role on varsity this season as a sophomore among a loaded skill group at Huntington with potential to be a factor on defense, too."      It will speak volumes to 2028 Huntington OL [player_tooltip player_id='1221856' first='Tyler' last='Avery']'s future as a prospect if he earns a varsity starting job as a sophomore for the Highlanders. We're expecting him to do so as a Top 10 overall prospect in his class and the #1-ranked offensive lineman. Avery has some great older linemen to learn under for another season and could be a future P4 prospect by his senior year.   Here's what we recently said about Avery in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2028-rankings-debut-the-top-10/">2028 Rankings Debut article</a>:   "Another Huntington 2028 prospect who D1 programs will want to know is OL [player_tooltip player_id='1221856' first='Tyler' last='Avery']. He's still very far from his final form as a player, which is expected from young linemen, but Avery has all of the physical tools to develop into a future high-level prospect. He already has the early size that will catch college attention, and he will continue to develop his technique and athleticism as he gets older. Expect him to make his mark on varsity this season among a loaded offensive line group that should be the best in the state, with several D1 prospects among them that will get early eyes on Avery."

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