2029 Ritchie County LB Ashton Byrd Ashton Byrd 6'0" | 170 lbs | LB Ritchie County | 2029 State WV is one of the top small school defenders to know in the class after a standout freshman season. Byrd piled up 80 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, making his presence felt every snap for the Rebels. Although he spent some time along the defensive line, we see his long-term future at linebacker, where his motor, instincts, and effort to the football stand out. He’s a dependable tackler who consistently finishes plays and doesn’t waste time getting downhill. Production like that is hard to ignore, and Byrd has already established himself as one of the more promising young linebackers in Class A.