User Rating: / 6
PoorBest 

Thursday, 02 September 2010 15:50

Written by Mike White

A quick Varsity Blog note. I'll start live blogs on Friday nights. Tomorrow, I'll be at the Chartiers Valley-Montour game. I'll give updates on the game, but also any others around the area. If you're at a game and want to email a score update, I'll get it on the blog. send to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

And now....

Here are the Post-Gazette's top 25 senior players in Pennsylvania. Now let's clarify something. These players are pretty much the top 25 prospects for college. There might be players around with bigger statistics, but are they Division I college caliber?
"Sergeant" Brad Everett, a colleague at the Post-Gazette, and myself wrote the following bios. One of the big problems we found with this "top 25" was what player to put No. 1 – Ben Koyack or Jameel Poteat? Koyack is rated higher on a national level than Koyack, but does a tight end have enough impact on a team to be rated the top player in the state? That's a good question. But a record 21 tight ends were taken in the NFL draft this spring
Oh well. We went with Poteat.

So here goes. The Post-Gazette's cream of the crop in Pennsylvania (40-yard dash times are in parentheses. Positions listed are projected college positions).

By Mike White and Brad Everett

1. JAMEEL POTEAT, RB, 5-11, 200, 4.5, HARRISBURG BISHOP MCDEVITT – Pitt has landed some pretty good Bishop McDevitt players over the years, including Shady McCoy. Poteat is the next McDevitt player headed to Pitt. He chose the Panthers earlier this summer. By July, Poteat said he was still favoring eight or nine schools, but Pitt, Rutgers, Notre Dame and Cincinnati were at the top of his list. His cousin played at Pitt. Florida, USC, Iowa and Illinois were among other schools that offered. "I look at the players who have played running back there [at Pitt], and it is impressive and I want to try to become the next great one in line," Poteat said. "I mean Shady [McCoy] talked to me a lot about Pitt and his experiences there and how the coaching staff treated him and that had a big influence on my decision.
"But then it was sealed in my mind when I went out there and visited Pitt and saw for myself the family atmosphere and the way the coaches deal with the players. I loved it, I wanted to commit on the spot, but my parents told me to wait and see my options." Poteat ran for 1,664 yards last season and scored 24 TDs. He also caught 25 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns.
2. BEN KOYACK, TE, 6-5, 230, 4.6, OIL CITY – Rated among the top tight ends in the country. One service has him No. 3. Has all the qualities to be a big-time tight end – size, agility, good speed, good hands. Last season, caught 41 passes for 748 yards (18.2 average). He's a darn good athlete, too, winning the Class AA state championship in the javelin in May. Koyack had scholarship offers from all over the country – from schools as far away as USC and Oklahoma. Pitt and Penn State also offered. He narroed his list to Notre Dame and Ohio State, but chose Notre Dame in April, a few days after attending the Irish's spring game.

3. TERRELL CHESTNUT, CB, 5-11, 176, 4.5, POTTSTOWN POTTSGROVE - Pitt landed a gem when one of the most dynamic athletes in the state chose the Panthers in late July. A good student who will study pre-med. Penn State was one of his other top choices. West Virginia and Michigan were among dozens of other schools who offered.. Has thrived as a dual-threat quarterback throughout his career, but will likely be a defensive back in college. As a junior, he rushed for 995 yards and 19 touchdowns, and completed more than 70 percent of his passes.

4. DONDI KIRBY, DB, 6-3, 200, 4.53, GATEWAY – Everybody thought Kirby was done for the season after knee surgery for a torn ACL earlier this summer. And he might not play this season. But in mid-August, Kirby said he is way ahead of his recovery schedule and believes he might have a chance to return to the team by November. Even though he might not play this season, you have to rate him highly as a college prospect, just because of how heavily he was recruited. "All the schools are going to honor their scholarships," Kirby said. Kirby has scholarship offers from coast to coast. He said his top five schools are Florida, Maryland, Iowa, North Carolina and USC. He plans to visit all five and maybe make a decision in October.

5. DEION BARNES, DE, 6-5, 220, 5.1, PHILADELPHIA NORTHEAST - Few defensive end prospects in the nation are more highly regarded than Barnes, who uses his quickness and excellent athleticism to torment opposing quarterbacks. He expects to wait until 2011 to decide on a college. Has pared his list to Pitt, Penn State, Georgia, Michigan and South Carolina. A season ago, Barnes totaled 64 tackles, including 25 for losses, and eight sacks.

6. KYSHOEN JARRETT, CB, 5-11, 182, 4.6, EAST STROUDSURG - Jarrett became the second elite Pennsylvania cornerback to select Pitt when he pledged his commitment less than two weeks ago. He had been leaning to Penn State before choosing Pitt. Wisconsin and Michigan State were among his 16 other offers. Plays a physical style and is strong in run support. Also has top-notch closing speed. Is coming off a season where he made 45 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions. He also played running back and receiver and averaged 11.2 yards a carry on 53 attempts. He had 15 receptions for 260 yards.
7. MIKE CAPUTO, DB, 6-2, 220, 4.55, WEST ALLEGHENY – Was Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year in 2009. Helped team to WPIAL AAA championship and state semifinals. Had narrowed his choices to Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin earlier this summer. Then Pitt backed off and Caputo lost interest in Penn State. Ohio State and Wisconsin became his finalists and he chose Wisconsin just before the start of practice in August. A tremendous all-around player. Rushed for 2,615 yards on 360 attempts last year and scored 34 TDs. Caught 10 passes for 161 yards. Averaged 30.8 yards on kickoffs. But for all his success on offense, defense is his future. He will play defensive back at Wisconsin.
8. BRANDEN JACKSON, DE, 6-5, 223, 4.6, MCKEESPORT – A long, lean athlete who has added 15 pounds since last year. He had 15 scholarship offers by July, but says he is very open. Plans to visit Texas Tech. Pitt, West Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan and Michigan State are among the schools he is considering. Will also play some at receiver this year, and don't be surprised if he even gets a play or two at quarterback.
9. SHAWN OAKMAN, DE, 6-8, 240, LANDSDOWNE PENN WOOD - Helped the Penn Wood basketball team travel to Penn State for consecutive PIAA Class AAAA title games, and must have felt comfortable there because he picked the Nittany Lions after taking long looks at Pitt and NC State, among others. His gigantic frame, long arms and standout athleticism make him an intriguing prospect. Posted outstanding numbers as a junior with 116 tackles and 17 sacks.
10. BEN KLINE, ILB, 6-3, 225, 4.52, DALLASTOWN - Having boasted several ultra-productive inside linebackers over the past decade, Pitt might have found another in Kline, who committed there after considering the likes of West Virginia, Michigan and Rutgers. Very developed physically and simply has a nose for the ball. Posted 118 tackles as a junior. A tight end on the other side of the ball, he made 26 receptions for 424 yards and four touchdowns.
11. BRANDON CLEMONS, OG, 6-5, 255, 5.0, MILFORD DELAWARE VALLEY - A late commitment could be in line for Clemons, whose 11 offers include Pitt and West Virginia. Can bench 335 and played the majority of last season with torn meniscus in his knee, so his toughness is unquestioned. Some schools are sold on him as a guard, while others see him blossoming on defense. Despite being injured, still finished with 69 tackles and five sacks.
12. JORDAN KERNER, DE, 6-5, 225, 4.6, FAIRVIEW - Kerner had fallen in love with Penn State quite some time ago, so when the Nittany Lions offered in early July, he didn't hesitate, committing there about a week later. Iowa was the other finalist. West Virginia, Rutgers and Boston College were among his other offers. It's still uncertain if he will play defensive end or tight end, but he said he expects it to be defense. Is thickly built and owns good speed.
13. PAUL GAUGHAN, OL, 6-6, 280, 5.3, DUNMORE - A lofty stature is far from being Gaughan's lone credential. He anchored a line that helped pave the way for a running game that amassed more than 250 yards per game a season ago. Has earned 10 offers. Takes a very cerebral approach to the game, which isn't a shock because he's also an excellent student. Among his suitors are Boston College, Wisconsin, Stanford and Northwestern.

14. EJUAN PRICE, LB, 6-0, 235, 4.5, WOODLAND HILLS – Price is right on Woodland Hills' defense. This kid has excellent speed, as you can see by his 40-yard dash time. Ohio State and Iowa are his top two college choices, but he also said he might open up his recruiting again. "I'm thinking about considering a few others now, too," Price said.

15. QUINTON JEFFERSON, DE, 6-4, 230, 4.6, WOODLAND HILLS – Jefferson is an excellent pass rusher. "He's really good at coming off the end. He's a guy who has great speed," said Woodland Hills coach George Novak. Jefferson also plays tight end. He said earlier this summer that Pitt and Iowa were his top choices. Pitt already has commitments from three defensive ends. So would Pitt still take Jefferson? Is he still thinking about Pitt? Those are questions that will be answered in the coming months. West Virginia, Maryland, Syracuse, Wisconsin and Minnesota are among the other schools that have offered.
16. KEVIN REIHNER, OG, 6-3, 275, 5.1, SCRANTON PREP – One of the premier offensive linemen in the state, Reihner will attend school on the other side of the country after choosing Stanford in April. Has good bloodlines, as his father, George, played at Penn State and then in NFL with the Houston Oilers. Penn State did not offer the younger Reihner. Considered Pitt, Northwestern and several others. Said one of the main reasons he picked Stanford was because of its renowned medical program.
17. LAFAYETTE PITTS, CB, 6-0, 185, 4.45, WOODLAND HILLS – Pitt is for Pitts. He chose Pitt back in June. He decided earlier this summer to attend Pitt, choosing the Panthers over West Virginia, Maryland and Iowa. "I seriously considered the other schools, but Pitt always had the upper edge," Pitts said. "Just because it's close to my family. I like my family to come see me play. It would be hard for them to come all the way to Iowa." Pitts is a versatile player who will be featured more in Woodland Hills' offense this season.
18. DESIMON GREEN, DE, 6-5, 230, 4.7, CLAIRTON – Pitt will go Green next year. Green committed to Pitt in August. Texas Tech and Cincinnati were his other top choices. He had originally planned a Labor Day visit to Texas Tech, but changed his mind and went with the Panthers. One of the reasons he likes Pitt is because the Panthers have been excellent in developing defensive linemen. "That was a big factor," Green said. "They have two great ones right now [Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus]. I've seen what they've done. Plus, they're seniors and will be gone next year." Green also plays quarterback for Clairton and helped team win the state Class A championship last season. He threw for 1,608 yards and rushed for 827.
19. TYLER KROFT, TE, 6-5, 225, 4.7, DOWNINGTOWN EAST – Became the second Downingtown East player in as many years to commit to Rutgers when he selected the Scarlet Knights over offers from West Virginia, Boston College, Connecticut and Syracuse. As a junior he posted excellent numbers, particularly for a high school tight end, when he hauled in 36 receptions for 667 yards. His height is superb, but will need to add some more bulk at the college level.
20. ARMSTEAD WILLIAMS, WR-LB, 6-3, 205, 4.52, GATEWAY – Another Division I college prospect on Gateway's team. Williams has selected three finalists: Maryland, Iowa and Purdue ("In no order," he said). He received about 15 scholarship offers from schools such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina State and Wisconsin. He also plays receiver for the Gators. He could play either position in college. "I'll play anywhere they want me to play," Williams said.
21. DELVON SIMMONS, DL, 6-5, 265, 5.0, MCKEESPORT – Simmons has developed into a good college prospect. A better attitude the last few years helped. "I wasn't very good," Simmons said of a few years ago. "I'm more dedicated now. Years ago, I didn't even used to show up for practice. I'm a lot different now. This is my senior year. I'm trying to go hard." Simmons said he has not begun to narrow his list of colleges. As West Virginia, Illinois, Louisville, Iowa and Rutgers were a few of the schools that had offered. Two weeks ago, Oregon was close to offering and Simmons was hoping it would come through because he said he's seriously consider the Ducks. Distance from home, he said, is not factor with him. He also can play offense.
22. BRANDON COTTOM, ATH, 6-2, 233, 4.6, NESHAMINY - Cottom's size and talent has never been questioned. It's his future position that has. Purdue might have answered that, though, when Cottom picked the Big Ten school after strongly considering Rutgers, Syracuse and Duke. Some schools liked Cottom at linebacker, but he will likely play running back at Purdue. Good size and a thick build make him a tough downhill runner. He rushed for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
23. PAUL LANG, TE, 6-5, 235, 4.8, MT. LEBANON – We've seen other rankings of top players in Pennsylvania and people don't rank Lang this high. But we think he is underrated because he played hurt most of his junior year (ankle). And we love his athletic ability. If you ever saw him play basketball, you'd know what we mean. He only had two scholarship offers before committing to Michigan State in June. He attended Spartans camp and loved the place. Has added about 30 pounds since last year. Also plays defensive end. Also, watch out this season for teammate Tim Cwalina, who already has committed to Virginia. He's a little underrated also.
24. ARTIE ROWELL, OG, 6-2, 295, 5.2, HARRISBURG CENTRAL DAUPHIN – Rowell became the first Pennsylvania player from this class to commit to Pitt when he picked the Panthers in May. His other finalist was Northwestern. One of the top offensive linemen in the central part of the state, Rowell led the surge that resulted in his team averaging 336 yards of offense per game last season. He also shined on the defensive line, where he had 42 tackles and two sacks.
25. ANDREW ZELLER, OT, 6-5, 280, 5.1, RED LION – A rapid growth spurt helped Zeller land Division I offers. As a sophomore, he was only 6-1, 220 pounds. Since then, he's added four inches and 60 pounds. In July, he chose Maryland. A physical and athletic lineman, Rowell had offers from Oregon, Rutgers and Duke. He's also made an impact as a defensive tackle, the position some schools coveted him as. He had 34 tackles last season.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed