Where Are They Now? Top 3 Composite Rated WV High School Football Players 2020-2023

When you talk about Football recruiting across the US a small state like WV normally isn’t brought up. This article we will break down the last 4 years of top recruits around the state and what they are doing now.

Let’s Start with 2020 and see where they are now!

1.Sean Martin (Bluefield HS) 89 Ovr

The top rated recruit in the 2020 class was Bluefield defensive end Sean Martin. Sean brought in 24 Division One offers from all across the nation. He committed to WVU over offers from Penn state, Oregon, Utah and many others. Sean didn’t see to much action his freshman season, but has seen his time increase at WVU. Sean blocked a field goal against TCU a season ago to help seal the win for WVU. Sean is a household name for all mountaineer fans heading into the 2024 season.

2. Zach Frazier (Fairmont Sr.) 89 Ovr

There could be an argument on 1 and 2 across the mountain state in 2020 with Martin and Frazier, but both student athletes were dominant in their own right. Zach had a total of 6 division 1 offers. He committed to WVU over Stanford and became one of the best centers to ever play at WVU. Zach had a number of awards while at WVU so let’s name some of those. First team All American 2022 and 2023, first team all Big 12 2022,2023, only allowed 4 sacks his entire career and only allowing 1 sack the past two seasons. Zach was drafted in this years draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers at 51 overall.

3. JJ Davis (Bluefield HS) 86 Ovr

Another highly ranked player out of Bluefield was their do it all running back JJ Davis. JJ had 10 Divison 1 offers and finally made his decision when he committed to Marshall. JJ stay however wasn’t what everyone expected when he was only on the roster for the 2020 season. JJ then stepped away from college football and is back in Bluefield.

Rolling right in to the class of 2021 and another big name to start.

1. Wyatt Milum (Spring Valley HS) 94 Ovr

A big name coming in the class of 2021 and a top 15 nationally ranked offensive lineman was Spring Valley standout Wyatt Milum. Milum was highly recruited with 19 Division 1 offers picking WVU over Alabama, Michigan, Georgia among others. Milum has made the most of his time so far at WVU. Milum started all 12 games as a true freshman, and hasn’t allowed a sack in 23 of his last 25 games, 2023 2nd team all Big 12, and didn’t allow a sack or qb hit in 2023 just to name a few. Get ready for another big season in 2024 for this young man.

2. Zeiqui Lawton ( South Charleston HS) 88 Ovr

Lawton was another top prospect in the class of 21 where he also held some big time offers before committing to Cincinnati. Lawton selected Cincy over Oregon, Nebraska and WVU. Lawton never seen the field at Cincinnati before entering the transfer portal and headed back home to WVU. Lawton has played in 1 game at West Virginia where he recorded 1 tackle and 0.5 tackle for loss. On March 30th Lawton announced he is medically retiring from football.

3. Bryce Biggs ( Spring Valley HS) 83 Ovr

Bryce another big offensive lineman from Spring Valley also had his choice of colleges bringing in 14 college offers. While most thought he was all but signed to play his ball at Marshall, Biggs switched it up and signed with West Virginia. Biggs hasn’t seen to much action so far, with only playing in 6 games in 2023. We should see that change this upcoming season.

Moving right along to the class of 2022.

1. Corbin Page ( Spring Valley HS) 89 Ovr

Corbin added to the already long list of college football players from Spring Valley. Page had a total of 9 offers to play at the next level. Page selected WVU over Virginia, Virginia Tech, Oregon and others.

Page didn’t see the same success at West Virginia like his HS teammates have, he entered the transfer portal after only one year in Morgantown.

2. Toby Payne ( Poca HS) 86 Ovr

Payne was a household name across the mountain state after having multiple big seasons at Poca. Toby collected 6 college offers and selected to sign with Marshall. His freshman year seen him playing in 10 games while having 2 catches for 27 yards and one touchdown. Toby is still currently on the Marshall Roster and should be in line for a big season.

3. Eric Smith ( Fairmont Sr HS) 81 Ovr

Another Offensive Lineman coming from Fairmont sr is the very talented Eric Smith. Smith himself had 10 offers and plenty of colleges to choose from. He ended up signing with Miami (OH) over Air Force, Purdue among others. Smith was redshirted his freshman season at Miami (OH) and is looking to make a big impact this upcoming season.

Last but not least we have our class of 2023.

1. Layth Ghannam ( George Washington HS) 88 Ovr

Another highly regarded player was the big man from GW Layth Ghannam. Ghannam had a total of 16 offers and ended up signing with the Hokies of Virginia Tech. Ghannam selected the Hokies over WVU and Marshall. Ghannam seen limited time as a true freshman appearing in only 4 games. This young man is very talented so get ready to see him expand his role.

2. Noah Braham ( University HS) 85 Ovr

Noah Braham a very athletic player took his offer from the hometown team West Virginia to further his education and football careeer. Noah was redshirted this past season at WVU.

3. Mondrell Dean ( Hurricane HS) 85 Ovr

Dean was one of the top players on both sides of the ball in all of WV. He held 6 offers and signed his letter of intent to Purdue. Dean was only there one season before entering the transfer portal. He is still in the portal and currently holds an offer from Ohio U.

We have had some very talented student athletes come through the mountain state, and these are just a few over the past 4 years. WV is overlooked when it comes to football recruiting, but that is slowly changing. Keep an eye on these names in the upcoming seasons.