In-State Star Malachi Thompson Looks to Make Name for Himself | WVU Football All 105

All 105 is a West Virginia Sports Now series profiling each member of the 2026 WVU Football Roster.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Nitro High School product Malachi Thompson explained his decision to join the WVU football program shortly after committing in the summer of 2025.

“The entire WVU staff made it feel like home. I’m confident WVU is the right place for me to grow as an athlete, a student and a man. Coming from West Virginia, it’s been a life long dream of mine and I’m ready to give West Virginia everything I’ve got!,” said Thompson.

Thompson, a 6-foot-4, 192-pound wide receiver, impressed the WVU coaching staff with his performable at a 7-on-7 camp for high school players.

Thompson may not be highly regarded nationally, but he’s one of the most prolific and accomplished current high school players in the state.

Thompson caught 74 passes for 1,593 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in 2024, claiming the Randy Moss Award as the state’s top receiver. He followed one monster season with another in 2026, capping off high school b making 64 catches for 1,373 receiving yards and scoring 21 touchdowns.

Prior to his big junior season, he made 57 receptions for 1,264 yards as a sophomore. Overall throughout his high school career, Thompson caught 214 passes for 4,537 yards and 66 scores.

23 • Malachi Thompson, freshman wide receiver 

Last Year: Thompson played wide receiver for coach Boom McKinney at Nitro High School.

Stats: For his career, Thompson has played in 35 games, has 214 catches for 4,537 yards, averaging 21.2 yards per catch and scored 66 touchdowns. As a senior, he finished with 64 catches for 1,373 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.

Post-Camp Outlook: Thompson spent the spring trying to make a name for himself and stand out to the WVU coaches. 

Projected Role: The coaching staff may look for ways to use such an athletic player already well regarded in the state, but it’s also unlikely they will want to rely too much on a freshman who lacked many other Power Four offers.

Accolades, Highlights: Thompson was named a two-time All-State First Team member and a two-time All-Kanawha Valley and two-time All-Cardinal Conference player in 2024 and 2025. He won the Randy Moss Award as a junior in 2024, given annually to the top high school receiver in the state, as voted on by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

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WVU Football Commit Malachi Thompson Fulfilling Lifelong Dream