Preview of 2024’s Watchlist DBs/LBs: Pre-August

Our recent ranking updates have commenced, with our 2024 ranking update releasing with 80+ prospects ranked! We have numerous potential prospects in line to be ranked as well as we wait for further film study to be released. These names could all end up on the rankings in the future. <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WL Defensive Backs </strong></p> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164528" first="David" last="Macon"] | 5’9, 160 | Roman Catholic </strong></span></em> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164524" first="James" last="Owens"] | DB | Imhotep Charter </strong></span></em> We begin with two prospects out of Philadelphia that each project to stay in the top 100 of their class for years to come. Both sophomores play at prestigious programs, [player_tooltip player_id="164524" first="James" last="Owens"] out of Imhotep Charter, and [player_tooltip player_id="164528" first="David" last="Macon"] out of Roman Catholic. Roman Catholic’s ’24 class looks absolutely loaded from afar. Macon already holds an early offer from West Virginia. The Power Five interest alone should and will get him on our rankings. We couldn’t find Hudl tape from Macon which is the only reason he has been left off, for now. 7-on-7 highlights show an outside corner who stays balanced through physicality at the LOS, along with good hand-to-eye coordination to deflect passes. Can’t wait to see this kid this fall. As for Owens, the case is similar to Macon’s. There isn’t too much padded football to go off of with the sophomore besides a spring game. Yet, through some Twitter highlights, I could see a corner that wants to play physically. One who has catch-up speed as well as the willingness to stay with a target when beaten initially. No doubt in my mind that Imhotep can coach him up to standard. Exciting young players. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-169074 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/07/E34qruZXEAAnF5W-247x300.jpeg" alt="" width="247" height="300" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>WL Linebackers </strong></p> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164593" first="Carmen" last="Petraglia"] | 6’1, 190 | Pittsburgh Central Catholic </strong></span></em> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="91632" first="Carson" last="Steinruck"] | 5’10 | Blue Mountain </strong></span></em> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164526" first="Alex" last="Sauve"] | 6’0, 195 | Cumberland Valley </strong></span></em> <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119123" first="Ethan" last="Pillar"] | 5’10, 185 | Pine-Richland</strong></span></em> We begin with Petraglia, a linebacker out of PCC who has the best size of any backer in this group. Size isn’t everything on the field, but this big kid was absolutely bodying ball carriers in his first junior varsity season at PCC. He’s raw, I think the tight-end reps will provide PCC with a player who understands blocking schemes, making his transition easier. Blue Mountain’s Steinruck flashes instincts with limited reps. He projects for more playing time. Cumberland Valley’s [player_tooltip player_id="164526" first="Alex" last="Sauve"] served as CV’s middle linebacker as a freshman, you don’t see freshmen starting MLB’s often. He displays good instincts and a sprinting motor to secure tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Timely blitzer too. [player_tooltip player_id="119123" first="Ethan" last="Pillar"] is another linebacker on our watchlist that intrigued me. Productive junior varsity running back who could see some reps when heading up to Pine-Richland’s varsity team. He’s a mauler and brings some attitude when burying the ball carrier into the turf. Two-way JV player who stands to make some noise when his time comes. &nbsp;