2029s
Projecting rising sophomores is always challenging given limited varsity exposure and significant physical development still ahead. Even so, a few early signals are worth noting.
Chapmanville’s Dakota Dalton already guided the program to its best season in school history, showing advanced decision-making and competitive poise for his age. Huntington’s Marek Midkiff and Wheeling Park’s Maxx Taylor have both flashed fluid athletic traits at the sub-varsity level and benefit from strong developmental environments. As always with young quarterbacks, patience in evaluation will be key.
INTERESTING
There are also several names evaluators should keep on the radar entering 2026.
Liberty’s Jaxson Workman possesses a massive frame with visible arm strength and mobility, though his long-term projection could extend beyond quarterback. Petersburg’s Payton Metheny continues to flash as an undersized but productive playmaker. Philip Barbour’s Robbie Jones returns after helping power a dynamic offense, and Williamstown’s Breck Allen quietly produced over 2,000 total yards and could take another leap with experience.
Additional names to monitor include Rayce Dickerson (Midland Trail) and Cooper Collins (Clay County).
PROVEN
Several additional passers have already proven to have high potential:
Herbert Hoover’s Peyton Grigsby brings next-level arm talent paired with the poise and athletic ability to climb quickly in the class. South Charleston’s Ceno Riley helped spark a program turnaround in 2025, flashing arm strength and elusiveness that point to further growth under strong quarterback development. East Hardy’s Trevor Roof produced a major statistical season in the eastern panhandle, operating as a true one-man engine with both his arm and legs.
Oak Glen’s Maddox Bowen handled a quick transition following Madonna’s program cancellation and continued to show natural playmaking instincts, while Grafton’s Chase Kinsey generated plenty of noteworthy throws in a high-volume passing attack.
5. BROCK GREEN
Brock Green (Independence) followed up a huge freshman year with another strong campaign, throwing for 2,945 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding nine rushing scores. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Green brings one of the more physically imposing quarterback frames in the class.
His arm talent stands out immediately. Green is comfortable attacking tight windows and shows advanced calmness within the pocket, routinely working through progressions while absorbing contact. His mobility improved in 2025, and continued development in that area could further raise his ceiling. System fit will ultimately matter, but his profile should generate Division I and high-end Division II interest.
4. COLTON ROBERSON
Colton Roberson (Pendleton County) delivered one of the most productive all-around seasons in the state. The 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore completed 194 of 317 passes for 3,424 yards and 37 touchdowns while adding 1,242 rushing yards and 26 scores on the ground.
Roberson is simply a football player. Quick, twitchy, and competitive, he often looks like the best athlete on the field in Class A competition. His arm is more than capable, but his impact as a runner is what truly stresses defenses. Defensively, his downhill, physical style could eventually draw attention at other positions as well. With a known offer from Marshall already in hand, additional FCS-level and FBS-interest should follow.
3. MAX SIMPSON
Max Simpson (Bluefield) continued to build on an impressive freshman debut by leading one of the state’s most explosive offenses. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound passer threw for 3,475 yards and 41 touchdowns while adding 237 rushing yards and two scores.
Simpson wins with timing and rhythm. His whip-style release generates easy velocity, and he consistently delivers the ball on schedule within the structure of the offense. He showed encouraging flashes of improvisation in 2025, which will be an area to monitor as he develops. Already holding an FCS offer, Simpson projects to draw additional Division II and FCS attention.
2. ANTHONY SMITH
Anthony Smith (Fairmont Senior) wasted no time making an impact after transferring in prior to the 2025 season. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore completed 139 of 243 passes for 2,279 yards and 26 touchdowns against just five interceptions, adding nine rushing scores.
Smith may have the smoothest throwing motion in the state. The ball comes out effortlessly with consistent touch and timing, and his overall operation feels polished beyond his years. He is not a run-first quarterback, but he moves well enough to escape pressure and extend plays when necessary. With Division I offers already in place, Smith projects to continue attracting FCS and higher-level attention.
1. MADDOX TWIGG
Maddox Twigg (Morgantown) entered his sophomore season with buzz and somehow exceeded it. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound standout completed 125 of 189 passes for 2,239 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 1,084 yards and 19 scores.
Twigg may be the best overall athlete in the state regardless of position. His quarterback mechanics are well-defined, and he shows the ability to drive the football into tight windows while working patiently through reads. What truly separates him is his dynamic rushing ability—whether on designed runs or scrambles, his burst, vision, and long speed consistently flip the field. Add in his high-level profile at safety, and it is easy to see why multiple FBS programs are already involved. He should continue to accumulate major opportunities.
RECRUIT THEM
Social media of players listed above, if found (ABC order):
- Allen, Breck (Williamstown) – https://x.com/BreckAllen_07
- Bowen, Maddox (Madonna) – https://x.com/MaddoxBowen_QB
- Dalton, Dakota (Chapmanville) – https://x.com/Dakotadalt52871
- Dickerson, Rayce (Midland Trail) – https://x.com/DickersonR23819
- Green, Brock (Independence) – https://x.com/brock16green
- Grigsby, Peyton (Herbert Hoover) – https://x.com/grigsby_peyton7
- Kinsey, Chace (Grafton) – https://x.com/chacekinsey
- Midkiff, Marek (Huntington) – https://x.com/MakMidkiff2029
- Riley, Ceno (South Charleston) – https://x.com/RileyCeno8
- Roberson, Colton (Pendleton County) – https://x.com/ColtonRoberson4
- Roof, Trevor (East Hardy) – https://x.com/TrevorQb1
- Simpson, Max (Bluefield) – https://x.com/madmaxx__2
- Smith, Anthony (Fairmont Senior) – https://x.com/AnthonyMSmith13
- Taylor, Maxx (Wheeling Park) – https://x.com/maxx_taylor1
- Twigg, Maddox (Morgantown) – https://x.com/MaddoxTwigg
- Workman, Jaxson (Liberty) – https://x.com/jaxsonworkman_