2026 Nitro DL and Morgan State commit Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV continues to dominate for the Wildcats through the playoffs, living up to his reputation as one of the state’s premier defensive linemen. Through the first half of the season, he has racked up 83 tackles, 33 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks, anchoring a ferocious defensive front and consistently disrupting opposing offenses. Patterson’s high-level production and physicality prove why he’s considered the top DL in the 2026 class.

2026 Nitro DL Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV is having another strong season for the Wildcats and has been very productive at the midway point of the season. He’s totaled 42 tackles, 17 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in six games so far this season, which should have him in the mix for the Stydahar Award as the state’s top lineman. Patterson has serious competition on his own team for the honor, but he’s performing as we expected him to as our #1-ranked defensive lineman in the 2026 class.

The entire Nitro defensive front could’ve been placed on this week’s Coal Curtain, but #1 2026 DL Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV did what he does best against his former team, St. Albans. He had 7 QB hurries during the game, and all four of his tackles went for a loss. St. Albans had no answer for him coming off the end and easily won his 1-on-1 matchups all game. The size, power, and athleticism all showed up this week for a great performance by Patterson.

Our top defensive line prospect in the 2026 class is Nitro DL Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV . He was the most productive defensive lineman in the state in 2024, with 96 tackles, 31 TFLs, and 13.5 sacks. Nitro very well could have the Kennedy/Moss Award and Huff Award winner with Patterson and WR Malachi Thompson Malachi Thompson 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Nitro | 2026 State WV .

Here’s what we recently said about Patterson in our 2026 Rankings Stock Risers article:

“After a highly successful junior campaign and summer of college prospect camps, 2026 Nitro DL  Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV  moves up two spots to #8 overall and maintains his #1 DL ranking. He’s garnered D1 attention this year, picking up FCS offers from Morgan State, Elon, and Mercyhurst. Another strong senior season should open doors to G5 opportunities for Patterson, as he has the ability to play at that level in our eyes.”

After a highly successful junior campaign and summer of college prospect camps, 2026 Nitro DL Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV moves up two spots to #8 overall and maintains his #1 DL ranking. He’s garnered D1 attention this year, picking up FCS offers from Morgan State, Elon, and Mercyhurst. Another strong senior season should open doors to G5 opportunities for Patterson, as he has the ability to play at that level in our eyes.

Nitro’s Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV may be destined to play inside at the next level but had a tremendous junior season for the Wildcats as a DE in 2024. The 6’2 260 big man just earned his first well-deserved D1 offer from Morgan State further showing why he’s our #1 DL prospect in the 2026 class. Patterson earned a spot on our Perfect EDGE/DE Build for his explosiveness as an exceptional athlete for his size. He fires off the line with very good quickness and force that led to 31 TFLs and 13.5 sacks as a junior. Patterson’s first step catches tackles and guards off guard and can consistently split them to get backfield penetration. He has exceptional short-area quickness and agility that will earn him more D1 opportunities in the future.

We’ve been focusing on highlighting lower-ranked players during this early season stock riser series, but 2026 Nitro TE/DL Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV has been playing at too high of a level to ignore through the first four weeks of the season.

Patterson is currently ranked as our #1 TE in the 2026 class but is making a great case for our #1 DL spot in the winter rankings update after the season. The 6’2 260 big man has totaled 36 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks in four games for the Wildcats and has been one of the best defensive linemen this season thus far. His body is developing into a DL prospect but is maintaining the athleticism he’s shown as a TE too. Patterson’s speed and quickness matched with his power is a rare combination in this state and gives him a very high ceiling for this position. He’s been a terror at defensive end for Nitro this season and should have D1 programs following his junior and senior seasons..

7 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 sacks 1 FF – 2 receptions 85 yards 1 touchdown

2026 jumbo ATH Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV got it done on both sides of the ball in Nitro’s 56-21 win over Lincoln on Friday night. Ranked as a TE, Patterson showcased why he’s considered the top at that position with 2 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown as a big target on offense. The 6’2 260 big man hit on a long slot fade for a score as he showed off his wheels outracing defenders to the end zone. Patterson’s performance on defense was even more impressive with 7 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. His athleticism translates well to the defensive side and just might be where his future is in the next rankings update.

It’ll be fun to watch 2026 TE Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV in the Nitro offense as he comes over from St. Albans this year. He’s beginning to outgrow the TE position as he gets older and bigger with defensive line as his best position likely in his future, but Patterson is very athletic for his size and will be utilized in their offense. Now in the 6’2 260 range, Patterson is a very impressive athlete for his size and doesn’t move how most players his size move and is just entering his junior year. He has good feet for his size and age with very good quickness, especially in the short area and coming out of his breaks. You can get creative with how he’s used which will be fun to watch in Nitro’s system for how they utilize him. Defensively, Patterson has a ton of potential as a defensive lineman if he dedicates himself to that side of the ball with a very high ceiling.

You can’t teach his size and athleticism which has him ranked among the state’s best in his class to this point.

I got to see St. Albans TE Xavier Patterson Xavier Patterson 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL/TE Nitro | 2026 State WV at the GCOH Performance Exposure Camp back in early June and he was one of my camp standouts. He’s already an impressive 6’1 240 that may end up being a DL prospect by the time he’s a senior but will enter the rankings first as a TE. Patterson showed good athleticism for a kid his size and age and was a nightmare to cover in 1-on-1s at camp. For a kid his size to be moving as well as he was moving was eye-opening and not something you typically see at that age. Patterson flashed some dependable hands on film and is always going full speed and attacking on both sides of the ball. He enters the rankings as the #8 overall player and #1 ranked tight end.