Sponsor a Team!
Help support free coverage for players and parents while putting your business in front of a passionate football audience. Team sponsors receive a dedicated season preview, custom graphics, and ongoing recognition tied to their selected team throughout the season.
Reach an audience of 25,000+ followers and 10+ million annual views.
Interested in sponsoring a team? Learn more here: I’m interested in sponsoring a team
C&C previously took a look at the top 2028/2029 wide receiver class several months back with the full article here, but here is the full breakdown.
Looking back at the 2029 group, early names included Jeremiah Brown (Martinsburg), Amari Valentine (South Charleston), Devin Lazo (South Charleston), Kellen Rife (Huntington), Andrew Lemley (Wirt County), and Blake Hoover (Spring Mills), all showing encouraging signs early in their careers.
The clear headliner of the 2029 class was KJ Viars (Independence), whose size, route-running ability, separation skills, and reliable hands already made him one of the state’s most intriguing young offensive weapons.
The remaining prospects featured in the article were members of the 2028 class. The DEEP CUTS group included Isaiah Waminam (Point Pleasant), Ka’ilaokalani Villa (Martinsburg), Dominick Crawford (Keyser), and Branden Custer (University), all flashing upside despite limited production.
The PROMISING tier featured Turay Rush (Herbert Hoover), Brady Thorn (Parkersburg), Joel Elliott (Clay County), Caleb Cales (Buffalo), Jenner Keen (Ritchie County), Zo Murphy (Logan), Chase Southern (Sherman), and Colby Atkins (Sherman), all highlighted as candidates for larger roles and increased production.
The top five rankings were led by Pax Calhoun (Bluefield) at No. 1, followed by Lance Williams Jr. (Herbert Hoover), Takye Porter (Herbert Hoover), Jaleel Jones (Bluefield), and Travis Owens (Pendleton County), each recognized for their production, playmaking ability, and next-level potential.
Updates
West Virginia’s young wide receiver group has been active over the past several months, with a number of prospects significantly improving their standing through camp performances, testing results, and overall development.
Among the biggest stock risers is Dominick Crawford (Keyser), who turned in impressive performances at multiple camps while showcasing legitimate track speed. Crawford also captured a state championship in the long jump, further reinforcing the athletic profile that continues to attract attention.
Brady Thorn (Parkersburg) has continued to strengthen his reputation through both athletic testing and on-field production. His ability to pair measurable athleticism with actual football performance has made him one of the more consistent risers in the class.
Sherman teammates Chase Southern and Colby Atkins also impressed throughout the offseason circuit, performing well at the events they attended and continuing to build momentum heading into the season.
Perhaps the biggest overall winner from the showcase was Travis Owens (Pendleton County). Owens delivered one of the most complete performances of the event, combining verified speed, strong jumping numbers, and polished route-running skills that immediately elevated his profile among the state’s young pass catchers.
Recruiting activity has also accelerated for the group. Turay Rush, Lance Williams Jr., and Takye Porter of Herbert Hoover all collected offers from West Virginia State (Rush) and West Virginia Wesleyan (Williams / Porter). Rush then received an additional D1 offer from Kent State. Meanwhile, Amari Valentine and Devin Lazo of South Charleston added offers from West Virginia Wesleyan, joined by Kellen Rife of Huntington as recruiting attention continues to expand across the class.
New Names
New prospects continue to emerge within the state’s receiver ranks, particularly among the younger classes.
Colton Lawless (University, 2028), a standout track athlete, recently earned an offer from Bethany and continues to draw attention thanks to his speed and athletic upside.
Konner James (Independence, 2029) was one of the more impressive young performers at the showcase, pairing excellent testing numbers with a long, athletic frame that projects well for the position.
Other young athletes beginning to generate buzz include Jordan Whitehead (Capital, 2028), who has landed on several evaluators’ radars, and Cooper Roush (Wahama, 2028), whose athletic profile continues to draw interest.
Additional 2028 receivers worth monitoring include Sam Wannemacher (University), Demarion Warren (Musselman), and Tiler Clemons (John Marshall), all of whom have shown promising signs through camp performances, athletic testing, or recent film.
Transfer movement has also created intrigue within the group. Davon Brockman (2029) transferred from Riverside to George Washington and is a name to keep an eye on moving forward. Another notable addition is Deion Cooper (2028), who transferred from Graham, Virginia, to Bluefield and brings additional talent to an already competitive receiving landscape.