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CLASS OF 2011 PENNSYLVANIA TOP 25 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS

by CHRIS DOKISH

It’s a down year for talent in the state, both with the number of elite prospects and the overall number of high-major prospects, but there are still some very good players to be recruited.

The glamour positions of quarterback and wide receiver are severely lacking, and there are no elite offensive linemen or linebackers, but there is an excellent running back which is a rarity in the state, three excellent cornerbacks, and a slew of exciting pass rushers.

As always, the final rankings are my own, but only after talking to many high school coaches, college scouts, and independent scouts, such as Joe Butler of Metro Index Scouting.

1. Ben Koyack, Oil City HS (Oil City) TE – It’s not often that a tight end is the best player in the state, but there is little doubt that will be the case this year. At 6′5″ and 230 pounds, he has good size with a frame to get even bigger. He also possesses great hands to go along with good speed and athleticism. More of a threat as a receiver but is a willing and good blocker. Most of all, he just knows how to play football. Committed to NOTRE DAME over Penn State, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Oklahoma, West Virginia, LSU, California, Virginia Tech, USC, and many others. Bottom line – A perfect fit for new coach Brian Kelly and there’s no reason why he can’t be a star at the college level.

2. Jameel Poteat, Bishop McDevitt HS (Harrisburg) RB – At 5′10″ and 195 pounds, you would think he may have trouble being an every down back, but that’s not the case due to his solid body, tough inside running, and blocking ability. But to show what a versatile talent he is, he also has great feet, good quickness and speed, and excellent hands. Has over 40 offers and considers Pittsburgh (where cousin Hank Poteat played), Rutgers, Notre Dame, and Cincinnati to be four of his final ten. The other six will come from a list of West Virginia, Wisconsin, USC, Washington, Tennessee, Boston College and Florida. Bottom line – Has it all except great size, but he offsets that will his vast array of skills.

3. Dondi Kirby, Gateway HS (Monroeville) CB/S – Terry Smith’s Gateway Gators are no strangers to the list as they produce multiple top prospects every season. At 6′2″ and 190 pounds, Kirby’s size, especially his height, is in the elite category for the position. His athleticism and quickness are excellent and could be enough to stay at the position, but if not, he could always be an excellent safety, or even a wide receiver. His impressive offer list includes Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Florida, Wisconsin and Iowa. Bottom line – Big athletes that can legitimately play cornerback are a rarity, but the fact that Kirby has that chance makes him highly coveted. Even if he can’t pull it off he should be a quality player at a different position.

4. Terrell Chestnut, Pottsgrove HS (Pottstown) CB – Solidly built and tough at 5′10 1/2″ and 185 pounds. Plays quarterback for Pottsgrove so he is inexperienced as a corner, but he has the elite athleticism, speed, and football skills to make the transition. Also can project as a dangerous punt returner. Offers include Pittsburgh, Penn State, West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, LSU, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Rutgers. Bottom line – Will have to learn the position, but his ideal speed and athleticism could eventually make him a quality corner and game breaking punt returner.

5. Kyshoen Jarrett, East Stroudsburg HS (East Stroudsburg) CB – Solidly built at 5′11″ and 180 pounds. Cover corner with excellent speed and athleticism but is well-rounded with the ability to come up strong against the run. A true corner who knows how to play the position. Offers include Pittsburgh, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Stanford and Virginia. Bottom line – Pretty even with Chestnut as a prospect and has what it takes to be a successful player at the next level.

6. Mike Caputo, West Allegheny HS (Imperial) S/LB – Became a WPIAL legend as a junior by going toe to toe with rival Rushel Shell, Hopewell’s ‘12 phenom, and by ending the season with over 2,600 yards and 38 touchdowns. Currently at 6′1″ and 200 pounds, Caputo has the speed and athleticism to play safety, but could also add some weight and play linebacker. Offers include Pittsburgh, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Cincinnati. Bottom line – A real western PA football player and class kid. The kind of player that every school wants in their program because he will be great both on and off the field.

7. Deion Barnes, Northeast HS (Philadelphia) DE – As we’ve said many times before, kids inside the city of Philadelphia often get under recruited, and that’s the case this time with Barnes. At 6′4″ and 220 pounds, he obviously needs to get much bigger, but he has the frame to do so. On the plus side, his arms are extremely long, his quickness on the pass rush is topnotch, and he is already strong for how lean he is. He is also tough against the run and closes just as fast on a running back as he does on a quarterback. Offers include Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Georgia, Louisville and South Carolina. Bottom line – Pass rushers, especially fast ones with long arms, are highly coveted, and it’s a shame that he does not have more than a dozen offers.

8. Ejuan Price, Woodland Hills HS (Pittsburgh) LB – One of the more undervalued and underpublicized top prospects in the state this season, but one look at his film will show anybody that he is a big time player. Not big at 6′0″ 220, but he makes up for it with his elite level quickness and aggressiveness. Against both the run or the pass, he fires across the line of scrimmage like a rocket. Currently holds offers from Pittsburgh, Ohio State, West Virginia, Michigan State, Syracuse and Iowa. Bottom line – Many schools may not look at him because of his size, but that’s their mistake. As current 5′11″ Pitt (and former top 5 prospect from Penn Hills) starting middle linebacker Dan Mason proves, when you’re good, you don’t have to be over 6′ tall to be an excellent college linebacker.

9. Branden Jackson, McKeesport Area HS (McKeesport) DE – Another rangy 6′4″ 220 pounder with great quickness. Plays middle linebacker for the Tigers but with his great length and quickness, he will likely be a speed rusher at the college level. Skinny and needs to add a lot of muscle, but once he adds the weight, he could be a big time player. Offers include West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers, Texas Tech, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Louisville, Iowa and Virginia, among others. Bottom line – One of a handful of potential big time pass rushers coming out of the state this year.

10. Delvon Simmons, McKeesport Area HS (McKeesport) DT – Jackson’s partner in crime and every bit as good. Raw, but at 6′5″ and 265 pounds, he has the natural size, speed, and athleticism to be turned into a potential college star some day. Offers include Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Maryland, Connecticut, Louisville and Rutgers, among others. Bottom line – McKeesport always has a tough defense, but rarely have they had such a potentially dominating duo as Simmons and Jackson.

11. Desimon Green, Clairton HS (Clairton) DE – Class A power Clairton may be a small school but they are a power that routinely sends top prospects to top colleges. This year they may have their best prospect in many years in the 6′4″ 220 sack artist. A man among boys in Class A, Green has used his great length and speed over his sophomore and junior seasons to accumulate an amazing 50 sacks. Also an effective quarterback, and has some offers for that position, but his destiny is on the defensive line. Local school Pittsburgh may be the favorite, but Texas Tech is a sleeper. Both have offered as have West Virginia, Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Cincinnati, Louisville, Syracuse and half of the MAC schools. Bottom line – Once he gets bigger, the sky is the limit due to his excellent length and speed.

12. Quinton Jefferson, Woodland Hills HS (Pittsburgh) DE – The third of the three excellent WPIAL defensive end prospects this year, but he’s only third on the list because somebody has to be. At 6′3″ and 225 pounds, he is in the same size range as the other top DE prospects in the state, and he also has the same explosiveness off the edge. Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Boston College, Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Cincinnati are among his offers. Bottom line – It’s the year of the pass rusher in the state and Jefferson has the potential to be as good as any of them.

13. Ben Kline, Dallastown Area HS (Dallastown) LB – Solid, blue collar middle linebacker with decent 6′2″ 220 pound size, good strength, and topnotch intangibles. Should get bigger and stronger, and then become a very good run stopper in the middle of the defense. Chose PITTSBURGH over West Virginia, Michigan, Boston College, UConn, Rutgers, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Illinois, and Duke. Bottom line – Physically, he is not at the elite level at any aspect of his game, but he is above average at everything. Combine that with his toughness and intangibles and you have a future quality starter in college.

14. Kevin Reihner, Scranton Prep (Scranton) OG – It’s a poor year for offensive linemen in the state, but this tough brawler would be near the top of the list in any year. At 6′3″ and 275 pounds, he will need to add size, but he is an extremely brutal and aggressive run blocker that goes all out until the whistle blows. He even once blocked a defensive lineman 30 yards until both ended up in the end zone. Father was an offensive lineman for both Penn State and the Houston Oilers. Excellent student who wants to be a doctor. Chose STANFORD over Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Syracuse, Minnesota, Northwestern, and North Carolina State. Bottom line- A brawler with brains and you can’t ask for two better traits in a guard.

15. Shawn Oakman, Penn Wood HS (Lansdowne) DE – Yet another defensive end, but at 6′8″ and 240 pounds he isn’t exactly cut from the same cloth. Needless to say, his height is at the elite level, and the only concern is if he has stopped growing yet. Muscular, but can put on another 30-40 pounds easily. A mid-major basketball prospect with offers from Temple and LaSalle, but his quickness is only adequate. Football offers include Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, North Carolina State and UConn. Bottom line – You can’t teach 6′8″ so schools are going to be tempted to see what they can do with him, if he decides to play football.

16. Armstead Williams, Gateway HS (Monroeville) LB – Once again Terry Smith puts multiple players near the top of the list, this time with the 6′2″ 200 pound Williams. Quick and fast enough to play wide receiver for the Gators, and he could play at that position at the next level, but more than likely he will end up on the defensive side of the ball. Must get stronger and more physical if he does stay on defense. Offers include Michigan, Boston College, Illinois, Maryland, Louisville, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Purdue and North Carolina State. Bottom line – Has the makings of a very athletic and quick college linebacker.

17. Paul Gaughan, Dunmore HS (Dunmore) OT – Great size at 6′6″ 280, plus he has the frame to add more. Moves very well for his size and could possibly pan out on the left side. Excellent student with a 3.7 GPA. Has offers from Boston College, Michigan, Wisconsin, Stanford, Maryland, Illinois, Syracuse and Northwestern among others. Bottom line – Has the natural size and intelligence that schools covet for the position, especially if he proves that he can make it at left tackle.

18. Jordan Kerner, Fairview HS (Fairview) DE – At 6′5″ he has great height for the position, plus the frame to add to his current 230 pounds. Strong with good straight line speed. Plays all out on every play and even excels on special teams by making tackles on kick and punt coverage, and blocking field goals. Could also end up at tight end. Has offers from West Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers, Iowa, Maryland and Minnesota. Bottom line – Good natural size combined with good athletic skills and all out hustle makes him intriguing.

19. Brandon Clemons, Delaware Valley, Delaware Valley HS (Milford) – OG/DT- Very raw, but at 6′4″ and 250 pounds he has the frame to get much bigger. If he can keep his speed and quickness then he could be a real find. Tore his meniscus in his knee last season but played through it. Had surgery in November and appears to be healthy now. Projects equally well on both sides of the ball. Has offers from Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Rutgers, Maryland, UConn and Boston College. Bottom line – Raw but physically impressive. Has a high ceiling.

20. Brandon Cottom, Council Rock North HS (Newtown) RB/LB – Physically imposing 6′2″ 230 pound beast who is athletic and fast enough to return punts and kicks last season (returning a few for touchdowns). Projects equally well on both sides of the ball but it looks like he may get a look at running back first. Smart kid who wants to be an airline pilot. Chose PURDUE over Cincinnati, Rutgers, Duke, Syracuse, Illinois, and Minnesota.

21. Dexter Bridge, Conestoga HS (Berwyn) WR – Under recruited athlete who has good 6′2″ 185 pound size, speed, athleticism, and leaping ability. Runs smooth routes and has good hands. Has only two offers, from Illinois and North Carolina State, but more should come his way eventually. Bottom line – May not be a star at the next level, but has all the tools to be an effective starter eventually.

22. Tyler Kroft, Downingtown East HS (Exton) TE – At 6′5″ and 220 pounds, he obviously will need a few years to add good weight, but he has the frame to do so. Once he does get the size, he has good speed, athleticism, and hands to go with it. More of a receiver in high school so blocking is something he will need to learn. Chose RUTGERS over West Virginia, Boston College, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Northwestern, and UConn. Bottom line- it will take a few years to get tight end size, learn to play the position, and to learn how to block, but eventually he could be a good college player.

23. Artie Rowell, Central Dauphin HS (Harrisburg) OG/C – At only 6′2″, he is limited to the interior line, but he is a solid, and well proportioned, 295 pounds. Very strong with quick feet. Chose PITTSBURGH over Northwestern and Temple. Bottom line- A solid prospect who should be able to play for the Panthers in the future.

24. Andrew Zeller, Red Lion Area HS (Red Lion) – One of the bigger surprises of this recruiting class as the 6′5″ 280 pound lineman was only 6′1″ and 220 pounds prior to last season. The best part is that he has kept his athleticism and speed. Has offers from Oregon, Rutgers, Maryland and Duke. Bottom line – Still a sleeper, but somebody may end up with a steal.

25. Lafayette Pitts, Woodland Hills HS (Pittsburgh) CB/RB – Not big at 5′10″ and 175 pounds, and he doesn’t possess elite speed or quickness, but he runs hard, is elusive, and knows how to play the game. Also an excellent special teams player, especially returning kicks and punts. Has offers from Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois.

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