By: Cole Livengood | WV Sports Chat
After a remarkable junior season that earned him the 2024 Randy Moss Award, which is given to the state of West Virginia’s top wide receiver, Malachi Thompson has received a bump in the latest recruiting rankings.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound, receiver out of Nitro High School (W.Va.), has received a three-star rating by 247Sports. Thompson, who committed to West Virginia in late June following back-to-back dominant seasons for the Wildcats, also earned an overall player rating of 84. He’s ranked the fourth best prospect in the state of West Virginia and the 290th best wide receiver in the entire 2026 class.
Thompson won the Randy Moss award following an explosive campaign as a junior, saw him finish with nearly 1,600 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. This performance was anticipated after he put up nearly 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore season.
The Mountaineers will have plenty of room for Thompson next season as six wide receivers, including Preston Fox and Jaden Bray, are set to graduate following this season.
Nitro kicks off their season on August 29th against Hedgesville, as Thompson will look to win two consecutive Randy Moss awards, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in the award’s history.
