Philadelphia Catholic League: Defensive Players of the Year

The Philadelphia Catholic League season has commenced, providing fans with a flurry of great games, plays, and prospects performances all throughout the fall. In today’s piece, we will highlight defensive positions in the PCL and shine some light on standout prospects who are either new to the football scene or have continued their reign in the league.

Name: Chris Thompson

Measurables: 6’3", 225lbs

School: La Salle College HS C/O 2022

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11390300/Chris-Thompson

Stats: 50 total tackles, 3 Ints

Thompson moves really well toward the hole, showing the ability to move laterally while still maintaining gap integrity. Thompson’s a big kid, to say the least. Standing at 6’3, 235 pounds, he moves surprisingly well for weighing as much as he does. Athleticism isn’t his game, but the tape shows how instinctual and natural he is at the middle linebacker spot for La Salle. He does a good job locating the ball carrier even when engaged with a blocker. The junior shows experience when flowing with the offense, often leading him directly to the ball carrier. His great build allows him to deliver huge hits when in the open field. Thompson isn’t necessarily a big hitter in the trenches, what he is is a high motor/high effort run-stopping player who shows patience and discipline through each snap. Thompson led La Salle with 50 total tackles and 4 TFLs.

Name: Abdul Carter Abdul Carter 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB La Salle College | 2022 State PA

Measurables: 6’3", 225lbs

School: La Salle College HS C/O 2022

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11390282/Abdul-Carter / @ab22j

Stats: 34 tackles, 1 Int, 1 FF, 2 sacks, 4 TFLs

The star junior out of La Salle put up impressive tape in just six games for the Explorers this past Fall. Carter’s a super athletic outside linebacker who flaunts a cut-up/compact build to match. The kid is absolutely nasty when taking on blockers. More times than not, it’s the blockers that will feel the heat before they are even ready to engage. Carter’s a disruptor which allows the rest of the team to flourish thanks to his head-on-fire style of play. He does so much well, he flows and moves laterally well, does a great job breaking down in open space and finishing tackles, all the while displaying form tackling technique. His tape, again on just six games, showed reps of him covering wideouts downfield, reps rushing the passer, and reps clogging running lanes and bringing down ball carriers in the backfield. There’s nothing he can’t do on the field, which is why the kid is so highly sought after. I absolutely love the acceleration and quick-twitch he plays with through the trenches.

Name: Julian Talley

Measurables: 5’9", 177lbs

School: Saint Joseph’s Prep C/O 2021

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11121770/Julian-Talley/about / @julianxtalley

Stats: 18 tackles, 2 Ints, 6 PDs

The UPenn commit and stand out Safety for St.Joe’s Prep shows a great understanding of route combinations, an awesome trait to have as a defensive back. Talley doesn’t get caught looking at the QBs eyes or in the backfield, setting him up to be in the perfect position to stay in-phase with wideouts downfield. He displays solid ball skills. The tape shows how comfortable he is defending the intermediate passing game at his safety spot. Does a good job staying disciplined, trusting himself, and his assignment when a play breaks down. Really smart player and a productive special teams guy. His build could use some weight, he plays a ton downhill and is a solid tackler, some added weight could really help him be even more effective playing down in the box in the future. Talley sees tunnel/WR/RB screens really well as fishes out the ball carrier with ease. Not too much was seen on his rangeability or any backend safety play. Absolutely love Talley’s overall poise and leadership from the secondary.

Name: Darryl Simpson

Measurables: 6’4", 235lbs

School: Archbishop Carroll C/O 2021

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9660739/Darryl-Simpson-Jr /@DarrylSimpsonJr

Stats: 35 tackles, 6 sacks, 17 TFLs

A massive kid who has the perfect build to play defensive end and tight end as well. Simpson shows both position versatility and alignment versatility within each position he plays. Focusing more on his defensive efforts, Simpson is a power rusher who brings all of his height and weight at you each and every play. Preferred to have his hand in the dirt, but wouldn’t be surprised if he could rush the passer standing up from an outside linebacker spot. His motor is running, the tape shows multiple instances of him taking on triple teams and still bringing down QBs. Good hand usage in the trenches, he’s strong enough to move lineman if he gets underneath them, but can also show some limited pass rush moves using leverage. The kid lived behind the line of scrimmage. He accumulated 35 tackles, 6 sacks, and 17 TFLs, leading the team in all three categories. As I said, he isn’t going to kill you with speed, but would like to see his get-off to be a little more lively. On offense, Simpson is a little limited in his route tree but has smooth hands and keeps all his momentum after the catch is made.

Name: Johnny Pergine

Measurables: 5’11", 210lbs

School: Bishop McDevitt C/O 2022

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11062349/Johnny-Pergine / @Jpergine1

Stats: 40 tackles, 2 Ints, 3 FF, 3 FR, 4.5 sacks

The Bishop McDevitt junior middle linebacker showed good read & react ability in six games this past Fall. Pergine is an opportunistic player who always seems to be making a play for BM. Intercepting balls, blocking punts, you name it. He’s literally Johnny on the spot, as corny as that may sound. Really like his timing when blitzing. He isn’t the most athletic player but does a good job approaching the LOS, reading the pass and sitting in passing zones, deflecting or intercepting balls. Pergine does a great job shooting gaps, showing all to see that his instincts are very much there. Slight position versatility can give reps at outside linebacker primarily to set the edge rather than rushing the passer. He can give good fullback reps as well. The more athletic and tone Pergine can become, the better suited he will be to keep up his special play at the next level.

Name: Emmanuel Nukah

Measurables: 6’2", 200lbs

School: Conwell-Egan Catholic C/O 22

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11355073/Emmanuel-Nukah / @EmmanuelNukah

Stats: 36 tackles, 7 TFLs

Nukah’s an impressive athlete at the outside linebacker spot who is tasked to go hunt, and he does a great job of it. The kid is a highly versatile player who is asked to do many things for Conwell-Egan. Play the pass, tackle, and shoot gaps in the run game, disrupt the passer in the backfield. In six games, Nukah accumulated 36 tackles and 7 TFLs, the seven led the team. He’s a productive blitzer and is nasty if he gets home. The kid plays with swagger and an attitude. He’s a dog who uses his quick-twitch and great change of direction ability to fly around the field and make plays. If he gets a hold of you, good luck getting free.

Name: Jeremiah Trotter

Measurables: 6’2", 210lbs

School: Saint Joseph’s Prep C/O 21

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9674814/Jeremiah-Trotter-Jr /@TrotterJr54

Stats: 35 tackles, 1 Int TD, 9 TFL

The Clemson commit set the standard in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania for linebacker play. He’s everything a coach could ask of a linebacker. He reads and reacts at an elite level, shows excellent lateral movement, and a crazy burst out of his stance and upfield when at the line of scrimmage when playing outside linebacker. Something scouts may not know of is his reps at FB for SJP. Reps on offense only help Trotter further understand the tendencies of a ball carrier. Trotted is instinctual, often beating ball carriers to the hole more times than not. He does all the things you can think of, but things start to get a little out of hand when he can cover running backs all throughout the field. Wheel routes, swings, screens. You name it the kid can cover it from his middle linebacker spot. He effortlessly pursues until the whistle, he’s a natural tackler and doesn’t hesitate in the open field. He’s linebacker personified.

Name: Keenan Nelson Jr. Keenan Nelson Jr. 5'11" | 189 lbs | DB St. Joseph's Prep | 2022 State PA

Measurables:

School: Saint Joseph’s Prep C/O 22

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/11344163/Keenan-Nelson-Jr / @KeenanNelsonJr1

Stats: 19 tackles, 9 PDs

The junior shut-down outside cornerback put more tape out there to further the argument that he is the best DB the class of 2022 has to offer. Effortless hip flips and awesome feet help him always stay leveraged and in-phase with wideouts. His leverage and sideline usage is elite, which is special for such a young player. You can imagine the lack of balls thrown his way when you’re so fluid in your movements as Nelson Jr. is. Despite the lack of attention his way, he wants to stay engaged in the game and is excited to tackle and go after the football. A highly underrated part of his game is his strong hands. He can press at a great level, his hands negate any physicality brought on by a pass catcher, and those hands help him effortlessly shed blocks from receivers. The ball skills are there as well, disrupting passes and securing multiple PDs. Nelson Jr. also gives reps at inside/slot corner, but his game much better suits outside where he can use leverage to his advantage.

Name: Luke Trunell

Measurables: 6’3", 230lbs

School: Conwell-Egan Catholic C/O 23

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/13281043/Luke-Trunell /@TrunellLuke

Stats: 41 tackles

Conwell-Egan has a solid linebacking duo in Nukah and Trunell. You could say Trunell’s game is opposite that of Nukah’s, but you can’t argue that they complement each other. The giant sophomore has so much room to grow and will most likely jump into our rankings if he keeps this play going throughout his career at CE. One of the scariest sights the PCL has to offer is this kid with a full head of steam, coming downhill to destroy ball carriers in the backfield. Over-powering strength is his game. There isn’t too much burst, twitch, or COD ability in his game, but when you’re this strong and powerful it isn’t needed. If he gets his hands on you, he’s going to eat you up. Doesn’t help he is a high effort player to match. His strength shows up in goal-line situations, where he is often in the backfield. He is the finisher and power to Nukah’s speed.

Name: Josiah Trotter Josiah Trotter 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB St. Joseph's Prep | 2023 State PA

Measurables: 6’2", 220lbs

School: Saint Joseph’s Prep C/O 23

Hudl/Twitter: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12890581/Josiah-Trotter / @TrotterJosiah

Stats:

Awesome size for the star sophomore and brother of senior linebacker Jeremiah. Josiah is an absolute rocket, speed is his game but he is capable of so much more. He’s a fantastic blitzer who does a good job getting skinny in the trenches. No tight end or running back has a real shot at chip blocking this kid successfully. When playing off-tackle from his linebacker spot, he does a great job using leverage to not let the ball carriers get outside of him, resulting in a ton of TFLs. Shows years of experience that he doesn’t actually have. It’s a testament to his family providing so much wisdom and god-given ability to play the linebacker position. has the makings of becoming one of the best players in Pennsylvania regardless of position. Honorable Mention : Roman Catholic’s James Kuneck & Archbishop Wood’s Andrew McHugh