Vote: Who was Virginia’s top sophomore football player of 2023?

We’ve picked out 12 sophomore football players in Virginia that stood out from 2023

The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.

One of the big questions is what underclassmen on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where sophomore that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.

That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top sophomore football player of 2023?

We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and in search of the top sophomore. Comment and let us know if we missed anyone you think should be on our list. 

We’ve selected 12 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

Voting will end on February 29th, 2024.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll. 

Here are the nominees: 

Tyreek Lundy, QB, Northumberland: Lundy put up some stellar numbers for a sophomore quarterback as the Indians’ starter completed 128-of-177 passes for 2,654 yards and 37 touchdowns to a mere three interceptions. 

Aaron Hull, QB, Eastern View: Hull is third among sophomore quarterbacks when it comes to touchdown passes with 28. The Cyclones’ starter completed 120-of-203 passes for 2,012 yards and just five interceptions on the season. 

Calum O’Shea, QB, Battlefield: The Bobcats have arguably one of the top sophomores around at the quarterback position. O’Shea completed 129-of-196 passes for 1,902 yards and 31 touchdowns and just five interceptions. 

Daniel Cuthbertson, ATH, Manassas Park: Cuthbertson is a can’t miss prospect at the running back position and put up terrific numbers as a sophomore. The tailback carried the ball 213 times for 1,625 yards and 15 touchdowns. Also threw for 196 yards and two scores. 

Savion Hiter, RB, Woodberry Forest: The sophomore runner was hard to tackle in space and his numbers spoke to a big 2023 campaign. Hiter finished the fall with 1,060 yards on 150 touches and scored 10 touchdowns. 

Makale Barnett, RB, Grafton: Another running back that showed his abilities out in space was Barnett for Grafton. The tailback finished 2023 rushing for 1,063 yards on 137 carries and scoring eight times. 

Ben Whitver, WR, Powhatan: Whether it was lining up outside or in the slot, Whitver proved to be a solid pass catcher. The sophomore wide receiver ended last season catching 64 passes for 909 yards and eight touchdowns. 

William Butler, WR/TE, Eastern View: Butler is a tough cover for any defensive back or linebacker at his size of 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. The big target hauled in 45 passes for 767 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Tristan Lux, LB Virginia Academy: The pass rushing linebacker created plenty of havoc in the backfield last season. Lux finished 2023 with 51 tackles, 13.5 sacks and forced five fumbles. 

Hayden Loveless, DT, Battlefield: Loveless was a stalwart inside at 6-foot-1, 257-pounds and his numbers showed it. The defensive lineman finished with 20 tackles, 15 went for a loss and 13 sacks. 

Robert Pettaway, LB, Dinwiddie: The linebacker was easily among one of the top difference makers at the position. Pettaway ended the 2023 season racking up 97 tackles, 18 went for a loss and five sacks. 

Jayden Covil, CB, Oscar Smith: One of the top sophomore defensive backs this past season was Covil and the ball Hawk made a boat load of plays. Covil finished with eight interceptions along with two forced fumbles. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports