Huntington has another young offensive lineman who’s talented in 2029 OL/DL Xavier Smailes. He’s made the jump to varsity and looks comfortable handling the challenge as a sophomore on both sides of the ball. He flashed on JV as a freshman and has taken a big step forward this season that’s earned him a major two-way role for the Highlanders. He plays with good physicality for his age, but his quickness and agility are what really stand out for a young lineman. Smailes is still early in his development, but the combination of his physical tools and athleticism makes him an intriguing 2029 OL to watch as he continues to grow at Huntington.

Starting on varsity as a sophomore is a rare opportunity at Huntington, but 2029 OL Xavier Smailes showed the potential on JV last season to make that jump for the Highlanders this season. He’s stepped into a starting role after losing several key linemen to graduation, and Smailes has answered the call through the first three games. He’s added the needed size during the offseason, which has helped prepare him for the physical demands of varsity football. Smailes already has good physicality for his age, and his quickness and agility allow him to move fluidly and consistently reach his spots. He’s developing into another offensive lineman to know at a Huntington program that has a strong track record of producing top talent up front.

2029 Huntington OL Xavier Smailes Xavier Smailes 6'0" | 230 lbs | OL/DL Huntington | 2029 State WV turned in an encouraging freshman season on the Highlanders’ JV team and is a developmental lineman worth watching over the next few years. While his 6’0 230 build is smaller than some others in the class, he plays with the physicality needed to compete in the trenches and comes off the ball with purpose. He also flashed upside along the defensive line, where his ability to fire off the snap and play aggressively was evident. With varsity opportunities likely to come as a sophomore and junior, he’ll emerge in time.

Xavier Smailes Xavier Smailes 6'0" | 230 lbs | OL/DL Huntington | 2029 State WV did some good things as a freshman on Huntington’s JV team as a developmental prospect to keep tabs on. He has upside on both sides of the line and may have even looked better as a defensive lineman. Smailes is ahead as a run blocker compared to pass pro, which is expected from most young linemen. When he’s firing off the line as a run blocker and at defensive tackle, you can see Smailes’ potential as a player.