Honorable Mention
CJ Wade (Parkersburg) 2020
Tristan Stiffler (Woodrow Wilson) 2020
Justin Waybright (Parkersburg) 2021
#5 Andrew Preast
School: George Washington
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
Year: 2020
Throughout the 2018 season, Preast rose up to be one of the redeeming factors of George Washington’s struggling defense. Using good heighth and a strong core, Preast became a sturdy asset on the edge of the line. He improved vastly from game-to-game and this shows with the development of his first step and use of hands. If his explosiveness comes along, Preast could even further his stock as a top lineman.
#4 Bomani Brooks
School: Hurricane
Height: 6’3
Weight: 220
Year: 2020
Brooks possesses a rare combination of strength and speed. With a hip-heavy build, his long arms and legs give him great leverage. Perhaps his best attribute is his acceleration and change of the direction within the block. Right now, he just needs more weight or at least the ability to hold gaps when taking on huge offensive lines / double teams. Regardless, he is a great talent and should be Hurricane’s anchor on the defensive front.
#3 Terrel Goode
School: Martinsburg
Height: 6’2
Weight: 230
Year: 2020
Goode has not received a lot of attention, and it’s understandable when you’re on a defense with Grant Harman, Dewayne Grantham, Teddy Turner, and Defensive Player of the Year RJ Barrett. Goode was consistent and an underrated feature of a dominant new line for the Bulldogs. A dense 230 with great athleticism as well as technique, he carved up some of the best lines in the state. His handling of interior and exterior linemen was impressive. Expect his name to get more notice in 2019.
#2 Matt Bednarski
School: Martinsburg
Height: 6’2
Weight: 245
Year: 2020
Bednarski joins Goode as one of the top defensive linemen in the class of AAA. He is nearly a perfect high school end. He is big enough to plug up the middle but also fast and nimble enough to get pressure off the edge. His versatility and aggression make him an instant standout. With the Bulldogs having to do some reloading around their defense, expect Bednarski to rise up as the constant playmaker.
#1 Zeiqui Lawton
School: South Charleston
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
Year: 2021
Lawton has been AAA first-team all-state his first two years in high school as freshman and sophomore- that is no easy task. It is deserving. We knew he was strong with an advanced maturity in terms of patience and technique, but his athleticism really was displayed as he became the Black Eagles top rusher. Lawton is muscular, high-motored, and well-coached. Already receiving multiple D1 offers such as WVU and Marshall, we can promise several more at least through his junior campaign.