Honorable Mention
Cameron Rice (Morgantown) 2021
Shyleik Kinney (South Charleston) 2021
Nate Ellis (Spring Valley) 2020
Keon Johnson (Spring Mills) 2021
TIE – #5 Ranson Graham
School: Princeton
Height: 5’10
Weight: 180
Year: 2020
Graham was a player with interesting expectations in 2017. In a newly installed air raid offense and finally the reigns at quarterback, we got to see what he could really do. He performed up to the task against some of the top schools in AAA including going toe-to-toe early and into the second half with Wheeling Park and Musselman. He is a ball player. Shorter than other quarterbacks on this list, he has good speed to give him space to throw- need be. His accuracy, especially while moving, is very good and it appears his power is ever improving. He could have a bust out senior year and end up higher than the #5 position.
TIE – #5 Ta’ Blackwell
School: Huntington
Height: 6’3
Weight: 185
Year: 2020
Blackwell had his first full year under center for Coach Billy Seals. They spent all year figuring out how to replace Jadon Hayes. The Highlanders fluctuated spread and smashmouth systems but Blackwell was the constant. He has a natural throw that improved over the season accompanied with good athletic traits. We expect his usage to be up for his senior year. They lose some highly recruited lineman but return several playmakers around Blackwell, several who missed 2018 with injuries, and some fresh and promising offensive linemen.
#4 Corbin Pierson
School: Jefferson
Height: 6’1
Weight: 185
Year: 2020
Pierson will come into his senior season hopefully bridging the gap to completely get Jefferson out of the dark years. After several tough seasons, the dual threat quarterback landed some wins and now looks to move even more forward. Partnered with standout receiver Antoine Lewis, he is poised to take one last step. He has good length, great athleticism, and a well-developed passing technique and IQ. He spent much of his time on the run which improved his mobile game but if given more time this next season, he could have some stat-filled games.
#3 Owie Ash
School: Hedgesville
Height: 5’11
Weight: 175
Year: 2021
Ash was a huge question mark being the leader of a very powerful Joey Yurish offense as only a sophomore. Working with N’iyjere Smith and Malakai Brown, Ash finished near the top of all classes in total offensive yards and touchdowns. He is a bit smaller but always making plays. He has a big arm that forces the coverage back which he toys with by scrambling successfully occasionally. Ash has one of the best receivers this decade to throw and hand off to, so he will have plenty of weapons to continue in 2019.
#2 Alex Dunlevy
School: Wheeling Park
Height: 6’0
Weight: 180
Year: 2020
Dunlevy, the heir to Cross Wilkinson, crashed onto the scene much to Coach Chris Daugherty’s prediction. Dunlevy was a different type of quarterback- one that can make the throws if needed but tends to draw more attention with his feet. Matched with a stable of backs, all whom are returning, and all-state receivers, Dunlevy finished with superior totals for offense. We expect his leadership to be cranked up as well as his experience to win those close ones. He will be a threat in 2019
#1 Elijah Banks
School: Martinsburg
Height: 6’3
Weight: 205
Year: 2020
Banks comes in at number one, joining teammates Naieem Kearney and Jarod Bowie, as top AAA players in skill positions. Quite terrifying. Banks split time with Grant Harman, a player many argued was deserving of the Kennedy Award, and yet still outpassed mostly the entire state in yards and touchdowns to minimal interceptions. He has been groomed by Coach Dave Walker behind two legendary quarterbacks and knows how to win. All this experience and coaching shows- his delivery and read progressions are advanced and evident with how quickly he gets the ball out with awesome flick. The Bulldogs are still the big dogs and Banks looks to join the status of Bagent, Harman, and others before them.
Just wondering how you guys do the rankings ..Do you rank buy wins ? Because by numbers and passing yards and touchdowns some of these QB where not even in ranks with passing yards in the state of Wv?
We try to take multiple factors into consideration. Stats matter but film matters more. We judge a lot on technique mixed with their potential on the next level.