2027 Cabell Midland EDGE Eli Thompson has the kind of build you can do a lot with. Thompson brings length, strength, and room to keep developing at 6’3 225, which shows up in how versatile he is on the field. Thompson can line up on the edge and set the tone with his physicality, then slide back and move comfortably in space without looking out of place at linebacker. He’s strong enough to hold up inside and athletic enough to run and redirect, giving him a wide range of impact. That frame, combined with how well he moves, makes Thompson a high-upside prospect with plenty of ways to affect the game.

Cabell Midland’s Eli Thompson Eli Thompson 6'3" | 225 lbs | EDGE Cabell Midland | 2027 State WV moves over from DL to EDGE in this 2027 rankings update after a good junior season for the Knights. He has a high ceiling for that position with his 6’3 225 frame that’s drawing D1 interest heading into his senior year. Thompson has all of the physical tools to play FBS or FCS football at the next level and film to prove it after moving to linebacker this season.

2027 Cabell Midland prospect Eli Thompson Eli Thompson 6'3" | 225 lbs | EDGE Cabell Midland | 2027 State WV is ranked as the #2 defensive lineman in his class, but has moved back to linebacker this season for the Knights. Playing that position well at his size is impressive, and proves that he has the athleticism to play DE/EDGE at the D1 level. Thompson is also doing a nice job at tight end on offense as a bully of a blocker. That versatility will give him positional options in college, as Thompson should be very intriguing to D1 programs.

Eli Thompson Eli Thompson 6'3" | 225 lbs | EDGE Cabell Midland | 2027 State WV is a prospect we’ve liked since finding his freshman film two years ago, and he’ll now be a team leader as a junior. He’ll be a key piece to their success on both sides of the ball as a TE/DE. Thompson has a great frame that can continue to be molded over time as his body transforms. Thompson’s length, power, and athleticism give him a high ceiling as a defensive line prospect and should begin to open eyes from colleges this fall.

Cabell Midland’s Eli Thompson Eli Thompson 6'3" | 225 lbs | EDGE Cabell Midland | 2027 State WV has a high ceiling as a prospect at TE or DE but debuts as the #2 defensive lineman in the 2027 class. We considered him as a TE on the Winter Watch List, but after watching his film again, we loved his potential as a DE. Thompson is a long athlete at 6’3 210 with clear early athleticism to pair with it. He’s a relentless pass rusher with a high motor and pursues the ball with great effort. Thompson is very quick off the end and does a nice job using his length to his advantage which made him a very tough blocker at the JV level last season. He’s also very good at redirecting mid-play and utilizing a spin move to change directions toward the ball.

We could see him earning significant varsity playing time as a sophomore or potentially even a starting spot with a very bright future ahead of him.