Bishop McDevitt’s Promising 2023 Class

In today’s article, we will be taking a deep dive into a promising 2023 class at Bishop McDevitt High School, just outside of Philadelphia. Scouting the 2023 class has its fits, as many variables are to be determined and many coaching and player decisions could vastly change the trajectory of a prospect’s development. Our 2023 rankings will explode with new names and talent so long as this fall season proceeds as planned. As for now, we will highlight seven prospects out of BM who have already jumped on our radar this preseason. [caption id="attachment_39221" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-39221" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/6bdKKtTo.jpg-medium-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="27734" first="Semaj" last="Bridgeman"]’s Twitter @MAJ7___[/caption]&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27732" first="Marquese" last="Williams"]</strong> <strong>5’10", 170lbs, RB</strong> <strong>Hudl Profile: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12814523/Marquese-Williams">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12814523/Marquese-Williams</a></strong> We start with [player_tooltip player_id="27732" first="Marquese" last="Williams"], our initial 3rd best 2023 prospect in all of Pennsylvania. Williams put together a solid freshman season, displaying his ability to be an every-down back for McDevitt in the future. He showed the potential to run between the tackles and bounce runs outside, as well as the versatility to run out of shotgun or in the I-formation when in the red zone. His lateral quickness stands out. He does a good job setting his blocks up in the backfield, utilizing a good jump cut to freeze defenders and accelerate through gaps. Good balance when attacking gaps between the tackles, he isn’t to be brought down by arm tackles easily. He shows solid breakaway speed once in the open field. The film shows he can be slippery when getting goal-line carries which he often receives. Williams is also active in the passing game, fielding frequent screen and swing passes, which college coaches love to see. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27734" first="Semaj" last="Bridgeman"]</strong> <strong>6’2", 215lbs, MLB/TE</strong> <strong>Hudl Profile: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13138461/Semaj-Bridgeman">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13138461/Semaj-Bridgeman</a></strong> [caption id="attachment_39241" align="alignnone" width="138"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-39241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/yTz1Nwxh.jpg-medium-138x300.jpeg" alt="" width="138" height="300" /> Photo: @MAJ7___[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="27734" first="Semaj" last="Bridgeman"] is the pure example of an instinctual read and react linebacker who looks to set the tone of the game with smart and aggressive tackling. To move as well as he does at 215 and just being a freshman last year is exciting. The number one linebacking prospect in our 2023 class rankings plays downhill and with a purpose. He is a technically sound linebacker who always keeps his pad level low and breaks down well at the point of attack. Bridgeman does a terrific job sifting through trash in the trenches and finding the ball-carrier. Good lower-body strength allows him to eat punches from offensive lineman and shed at the second level. He doesn’t have the ideal body frame and overall agility to keep up with speedy wideouts, but his awareness and athleticism flashes on film, still sitting in zones and being disruptive as a cover linebacker. Slimming down some could greatly improve his ability to cover but that may not be what McDevitt needs from him. Energy and a thud are what Semaj brings to the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27739" first="Eric" last="Gardner Jr."]</strong> <strong>6’0", 225lbs, OG/DT</strong> <strong>Hudl Profile: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11841540/Eric-Gardner-jr">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11841540/Eric-Gardner-jr</a></strong> Garner is a promising prospect who shows a ton of position versatility, both on offense or defense. It’s up to the coaching staff at McDevitt to really find where this kid belongs. He can line up anywhere along the defensive line for BM, showing he is a load to handle as a 3/5-technique. The one thing that stands out for Gardner Jr. is his hand usage. Albeit at this moment, it looks like he doesn’t have much of a pass-rush/shed move other than his swim over the top, but it worked wonders for him his freshman season. This kid has a ton of room to grow, we will keep an eye out as to what position he gets a feel for moving forward. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27741" first="James" last="Bermudez"]</strong> <strong>5’9", 182lbs, RB</strong> <strong>Hudl Profile: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13343941/James-Bermudez">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13343941/James-Bermudez</a></strong> Bermudez is a change of pace back from what Bishop McDevitt usually deploys in [player_tooltip player_id="27732" first="Marquese" last="Williams"]. He is one of the more deceptive players I have watched this summer. He is a tough player who shows solid vision to run between the tackles and grind for yards when relieving Williams of reps.  Where the deceptiveness comes is into play is in the open field once past the first level of defenders. He does a great job keeping his eyes downfield and suddenly cutting to take defenders by surprise. He isn’t fast or elusive by any means but the film shows a smart, tough player who can make plays with the ball in his hands. He is active in the passing game as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27745" first="Gabriel" last="Arena"]</strong> <strong>6’4", 250lbs, OT/DT</strong> <strong>Hudl Profile: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12824134/Gabriel-Arena">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12824134/Gabriel-Arena</a></strong> Of all these prospects, Arena has the raw ability and tools to skyrocket up our rankings. His great size and strength make him an ideal anchor on the left side of the line. He flashes excellent athletic ability, seemingly always running downhill stride for stride with runningbacks. He displays good awareness when blocking at the second level. He can be trusted to seal off an edge when run blocking and drive his defender out of plays. If Arena can keep his feet aligned with his pads play in and play out and work on being a little more fluid in his kick-backs when pass blocking, he may carve out a solid stock for himself. Just like any raw and athletic prospect, repetition is needed to really jump onto big programs’ radars. [player_tooltip player_id="27750" first="Kameron" last="Zaengle"] and [player_tooltip player_id="27753" first="Nehemiah" last="Shine"] also find themselves on our initial 2023 pre-season rankings. Check out their Hudl pages below! [player_tooltip player_id="27753" first="Nehemiah" last="Shine"] - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13186248/Nehemiah-Shine">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13186248/Nehemiah-Shine</a> [player_tooltip player_id="27750" first="Kameron" last="Zaengle"] - <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14422814/Kameron-Zeangle">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14422814/Kameron-Zeangle</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;