*NOTE: To help spread the love, players will be listed at only one position. So some players who might qualify as a Big Board caliber player here will be ranked at another position. The scout sheet we send to colleges has all players and all their positions. Some players have been adjusted to another position due to scheming and likelihood of change in college.
Honorable Mention
46 – Ben Turner (Spring Valley) 2022
51 – Lucas Rippetoe (Hurricane) 2023
51 – Ray Adames (Musselman) 2023
5. Jaedan Hammack
Hammack has been a watchlist defensive back since his freshman year. In 2020 he did nearly everything for the Hawks including receiving and even playing some quarterback. He has great length which widens his range of cover-able players. He has long strides and can maintain a high speed. Hammack has developed well over the past two seasons and should continue moreso as a junior and senior.
TIE – 3. Demarcus Daniels
Though Capital was only able to get in three games a season ago there were some bright spots. One being the breakout play of Daniels. As a grappling corner, he forced several takeaways in the matchups he got. He shows impressive agility, burst, and aggression to the ball. Actually getting to play a full season will do him wonders in his progression.
TIE – 3. Nate Shelek
Shelek has been a leader in the back for Wheeling Park since his sophomore season. He is a bit undersized but makes up for it with a very high motor and tenacious play style. He has a great radius covering the middle of the field and isn’t scared to lay some blows. With another round of Patriot skill players gone, Shelek will have a much larger role as a senior which will be fun to track.
2. Chandler Schmidt
Schmidt remains up at the top as a unique prospect. He has near linebacker size but his speed and agility require him to be utilized in the center of the field. He breaks on balls, tackles in the open field, and supports on the run. There is not much else one could ask of a safety. Schmidt should collect some offers if he chooses to stick with football over basketball in which he is also a touted prospect.
1. Mason Moran
Moran takes another step in cementing Cabell Midland as a defensive back factory. Ranked at the bottom of the Top 25 last year, he now has earned the #1 spot in AAA. He possesses awesome traits for a next-level corner including long arms, quick hips, aggressive ball play, and great run support. Moran’s accelerating progression gives him a notably higher ceiling and should be marking on the wall for a huge senior performance.
Keep An Eye Out
Two Kanawha Valley 2024 prospects had very impressive freshman campaigns: Huntington’s Jonathan Jackson and South Charleston’s Wayne Harris. Several more backs that pass the eye test and could up their stock a lot are Morgantown’s Marquis Mauney (2022), George Washington’s Taran Fitzpatrick (2022), and Hurricane’s Heath Montgomery (2023), all three have an incredibly interesting blend of size and athleticism.