Up and Coming Sophomores in Western Pa

Alex Christo

July 12, 2021 @ 05:34 AM

We take a look at the up-and-coming sophomores in Western Pa. A few of them have been mentioned multiple times last season. This list contains guys who I believe are/should be Power 5 players. [player_tooltip player_id="97978" first="Anthony" last="Speca"] I Linebacker I Central Catholic Speca is the number one linebacker in the state. He received some big offers after his freshman campaign. I saw Speca for the first time yesterday, July 11th and he looked natural at the linebacker position. He's smooth quick and with his size has really good speed. I fully expect Speca to dominate this season. [player_tooltip player_id="64565" first="Quinton" last="Martin"] I Athlete I Belle Vernon Martin is another kid who received some big offers after the season. I expect him to play all over the field like he did last season. Though, I am very interested where he fits best at the college level. [player_tooltip player_id="64000" first="Brad" last="Birch"] I Quarterback I Gateway Birch who has been mentioned multiple times, had an unbelievable freshman season at Jeannette, helping his team make the playoffs, but unfortunately missed the state championship game due to injury. Now he is at a bigger program in Gateway. Saw Birch yesterday July 11th at a camp. He looked like what a top QB should be. He is still developing but had really nice throws. Saw a few back-shoulder throws that were on the money. I am really interested and excited how he performs this season against better competition. He received his first offer from Oregon back in February.   [player_tooltip player_id="98220" first="Julian" last="Dugger"] I Quarterback I Penn Hills Dugger is the other quarterback I am excited to see this season. He’s in competition with Birch to determine who the best QB in Western Pa will be when it’s all said and done.   [player_tooltip player_id="164149" first="Peter" last="Gonzalez"] I Wide Receiver I Mars Gonzalez is our 24th overall ranked player and 2nd ranked receiver. He is a star in the making from the WPIAL. I saw him twice at Pitt football camps and just at another camp yesterday, July 11th. He’s got good size and speed. He is a good route runner and has good ball skills. Really excited to see what he does this season. [player_tooltip player_id="142040" first="Cooper" last="Cousins"] I Offensive Line I McDowell Cousins is a kid that came on my radar earlier this offseason. He is our 2nd ranked offensive lineman. He is a big kid who I expect to start Varsity this year. Based on freshman JV film he is physical who is a finisher and looks good in pass protection. Cousins shows to have a lot of potential.