BREAKOUT CANDIDATE

2028 University WR Branden Custer looks primed for a breakout year after carving out playing time in a loaded receiving corps last season. With defenses expected to focus plenty of attention on Hayden George and Kaleil Lewis, Custer should find more opportunities to make plays in the passing game. He showed encouraging flashes as a sophomore and has continued trending in the right direction, giving the Hawks another reliable target to work with. A strong junior season could put Custer firmly on the radar as one of the better receivers in West Virginia’s 2028 class.

The University Hawks had a plethora of options in their passing game, but 2028 WR Branden Custer Branden Custer 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/DB University | 2028 State WV still forced his way into the fold as a sophomore. We could see he had a bright future as a freshman and should be an even higher impact player in 2026, and especially as a senior in 2027. Custer has a good mind and early technique for the position, with athletic traits that will allow him to develop into a top receiver in this class by his senior year.

Another high upside receiver prospect in the 2028 class is University’s Branden Custer Branden Custer 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/DB University | 2028 State WV . We liked his film from his freshman season on the Hawks’ younger squad, but Custer impressed us further at a camp earlier this year. He made a wow play during that camp that caught our attention and helped place him as one of the top early WR prospects in the rankings. Custer will demand touches this season on varsity among a loaded skill group, but expect him to really emerge during his junior and senior years. He’s a natural pass catcher who has juice after the catch as well and should develop into a future playmaker on Friday nights.

A young 2028 receiver prospect from University to know is Branden Custer Branden Custer 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/DB University | 2028 State WV . I thought he looked good at the Spring Showcase, facing some older talent, and made the most of his opportunities. Custer had one of the final highlight plays of the night during the 7-on-7 portion of the camp with an impressive after-the-catch play, making several talented Westinghouse defenders miss in space for extra yardage. He’s light on his feet with good cutting and change of direction ability for his age. Custer has a good early mind for the position with a natural feel that will pay dividends once he waits his varsity turn behind some very talented receivers in the program.

Branden Custer Branden Custer 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR/DB University | 2028 State WV was a standout receiver for the University JV team this season and will be another talented young weapon for the Hawks to utilize on Fridays nights in the future. Custer gets a good jump off the line with a quick release and burst to accelerate to top speed. He also does a nice job of leveraging off coverage and was too athletic at the JV level for opposing defensive backs to make up the separation. Custer also showcased contested catch ability and strong hand-eye coordination to look the ball in on difficult catches. His play recognition was also apparent when adjusting his route to an improvising quarterback with developed route-running ability as well. We’ll have to wait and see if if translates to the varsity level, but Custer’s early flashes leave you excited for his future potential.