Opposing offenses are likely tired of seeing 2026 Parkersburg DL/EDGE Adam Elder Adam Elder 6'1" | 220 lbs | EDGE Parkersburg | 2026 State WV lining up across from them as a multi-year starter for the Big Reds. He’s done a great job for that program since his underclassman days and has continued that into his senior season when healthy. Elder is relentless in pursuit off the end and could play as an EDGE or grow into a defensive end at the next level. He’s deserving of some D2 looks this fall with how productive he’s been during his career.

Opposing offenses are likely tired of seeing 2026 Parkersburg EDGE/DL Adam Elder Adam Elder 6'1" | 220 lbs | EDGE Parkersburg | 2026 State WV causing havoc. Although he missed most of last season due to injury, Elder has been a highly productive player for the Big Reds since his underclassman days. He’d be a great fit at EDGE at the next level, but plays with his hand in the turf and will even slide inside to give them a pass-rushing presence from the middle.

Adam Elder Adam Elder 6'1" | 220 lbs | EDGE Parkersburg | 2026 State WV ‘s junior season got cut short after just four games in 2024 but he’s someone to not overlook as a 2026 prospect. He’s another undersized interior defensive lineman who could possibly play DE or EDGE at the next level based on the quickness he’s shown on film. That trait is what earned Elder a spot on our Perfect Interior DL Build and makes it difficult for high school offensive linemen to cleanly block him. His stature and leverage also benefit him when playing along the interior easily getting under opposing offensive linemen after a quick first step. Elder can sneak past and split guards and center to consistently penetrate into the backfield as a productive TFL generator.

2026 Parkersburg DL Adam Elder Adam Elder 6'1" | 220 lbs | EDGE Parkersburg | 2026 State WV has been a force for the Big Reds along the defensive line since he was a sophomore and has continued that through the first four weeks of the season.

Elder plays in the interior and may be undersized for that spot but is a bulldog as a 2-tech. He can shoot the A-gap at a high level and fires off the ball with explosiveness often beating guards and centers inside. His first step is one of the best in his class, and Elder plays with great leverage and can dip his shoulders under offensive linemen consistently to win inside. If he can keep getting bigger he’ll raise his ceiling as a prospect immensely with the film he’s putting together.

2026 Parkersburg DL Adam Edler put together a very good sophomore campaign for the Big Reds and ranks as a Top 10 defensive lineman in the class at this juncture. Elder totaled 75 tackles, 10 TFLs, and 6 sacks in 2023 and was one of the more productive defensive linemen in the state. We got to see him in person at the PRZ WV Combine earlier this year and once he gains the size needed for the position he’ll take his game to the next level. Even as a smaller interior lineman, Elder was still able to produce at a high level as an underclassman against bigger and older offensive linemen. He’s a physical player who plays above his weight class and can dip under longer offensive linemen which resulted in a high TFL and sack number for him.

Elder will be a prospect to watch closely over the next two years as his body continues to develop and has a high ceiling if he can keep increasing in size.