2026 Nitro LB Wyatt Sowards Wyatt Sowards 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Nitro | 2026 State WV continues to anchor their defense at middle linebacker. He’s already piled up 95 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, and added 2 interceptions this season, showing a knack for diagnosing plays and making stops all over the field. Sowards has consistently been the heartbeat of the Nitro defense, and his ability to lead, shed blocks, and make impactful tackles makes him a player to watch in the postseason. With his combination of production, instincts, and physicality, he’s primed to draw more attention from D2 programs as he closes out his senior campaign.

Nitro’s leading tackler from 2024 returns for his senior season in 2026 LB Wyatt Sowards Wyatt Sowards 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Nitro | 2026 State WV . He totaled 126 tackles and 11 TFLs as a junior and will be their leader on defense. Sowards does a great job of reading plays from his middle linebacker position, which resulted in high production. His recruitment is too quiet heading into his senior year, and D2 programs need to be getting in the mix.

The aforementioned talented Nitro linebacker group is led by Wyatt Sowards Wyatt Sowards 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Nitro | 2026 State WV who totaled 126 tackles and 11 TFLs as a junior for the Wildcats. While he’s not quite as big as his teammates, Sowards is a tenacious inside linebacker and is a strong run-stopper from his MLB spot. He’s quick to the ball and will come downhill and stop runners in their tracks. Sowards is always around the ball playing with great effort and is quick in pursuit. He’ll be a name that D2 programs should be looking into heading into his senior year.

2026 Nitro LB Wyatt Sowards Wyatt Sowards 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Nitro | 2026 State WV has been a great addition to the Wildcats’ program this season and has really shored up their linebacking corp.

Sowards is leading the team in tackles with 52 total stops and averaging 13 per game through four weeks of the season. He sorts through traffic quickly in pursuit of the ball and takes good angles on his tackles. Sowards is physical at the point of contact and does a great job of stopping ball carriers in their tracks. He’s a punishing tackler who tackles through runners and is a prospect who colleges should be looking at early from the 2026 class.

17 tackles 2 TFLs

2026 LB Wyatt Sowards Wyatt Sowards 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Nitro | 2026 State WV has been a welcomed addition to the Nitro program as expected and is leading the way on defense for tackles through the first two weeks of the 2024 season. Sowards has totaled 24 stops in two games which is double of the next leading tackler for the Wildcats and had a great performance against St. Albans in week two. Nitro held the Red Dragons to just 6 points in the 38-6 win with Sowards totaling 17 tackles and 2 for a loss with several others for minimal or no gain. He was physical on film and did a nice job being stout between the tackles and preventing ball carriers from falling forward.

The younger Sowards is another noteworthy prospect for the Wildcats who came over from the Hurricane program for his junior year. He’s highly thought of by us in his class as a Top 10 linebacker among rising juniors and should earn a starting spot with his new program this season. Sowards was the fourth-leading tackler for the Redskins as a sophomore last season with 45 total and 6 TFLs at middle linebacker. He has a wrestling background that benefits his play on the football field as a fearless tackler who isn’t afraid to get in the mix between the tackles. Sowards is a rangy athlete who can cover ground quickly and has the athleticism to play in space. He pursues the ball well and has a high motor that runs until the whistle.

He’ll be a welcomed addition to the Nitro program this season and should be a difference-maker right away for the Wildcats.