2021 Fall Team Preview: St. Joseph’s Prep

Welcome to 2021’s Team Preview series! We will highlight programs that are poised to make noise this fall. Ranked players, up-and-coming underclassmen, or watch list prospects, if you’re team has them, we will cover! <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-187208 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4164-crop-1296x851-1629345641-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> One of the most prestigious programs in the country, St. Joseph’s Prep boasts 17 ranked prospects and 27 total prospects when including Watchlist players. We aren’t keeping score, but that has to be some kind of record. The talent level at SJP is nationally understood, as this 2021 team ranks in the preseason top 10 in the entire country. Would be an honor and pleasure of mine to watch this team go to work in person. <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>2022’s/Seniors</strong></em></span></p> <strong>Keenan Nelson Jr. | 5’11, 189 | DB | 2022 | R/3</strong> <strong>Brad Harris | 6’4, 280 | OL | 2022 | R/21</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27639" first="Josh" last="Barlow"] | 5’6, 175 | RB | 2022 | R/34</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27590" first="Reese" last="Clark"] | 6’4, 200 | WR | 2022 | R/71</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="140863" first="Blaine" last="Bunch"] | 5’9, 170 | ATH | 2022 | R/82</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156232" first="Dan" last="Daly"] | 6’1, 220 | DL | 2022 | R/210</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156276" first="Alec" last="Treadway"] | 6’3, 265 | OL | 2022 | R/220</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156320" first="Antonio" last="Chadha"] | K | 2022 | R/385</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156322" first="Charlie" last="Backe"] | 6’3, 270 | OL | 2022 | R/398</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="156323" first="Rocco" last="Nicholl"] | 6’4, 220 | DB | 2022 | R/401</strong> <strong>Dane Picariello | 6’3, 220 | ATH | 2022 | R/WL</strong> <strong>Danny McCoy | 5’8, 150 | WR | 2022 | R/WL</strong> When speaking about the SJP 2022 class, you have to begin with one of the more polished and college-ready defensive backs that I have covered in my years. Keenan Nelson Jr. is ready to make that leap, a player who exemplifies what it means to be a lock-down corner. Elite hip flexibility, elite backpedal, elite footwork, elite break-on-ball ability. Keenan Nelson Jr., the South Carolina commit, will lead a star-studded defense loaded with future collegiate names. The RB tandem led by Bunch and Barlow is expected to thrive behind an offensive line consisting of six ranked prospects. Brad Harris, the highest-ranking linemen will look to cement his place as one of PA’s best lineman prospects in the last half-decade. Excited to see what [player_tooltip player_id="156232" first="Dan" last="Daly"] and Reece Clark bring to this football team. [player_tooltip player_id="27590" first="Reese" last="Clark"] has top-50 prospect written all over him, I expect him to make that jump. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-187207 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4194-crop-1632x1072-1629345598-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>2023’s/Juniors</strong></em></span></p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27736" first="Josiah" last="Trotter"] | 6’2, 220 | LB | 2023 | R/6</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="160287" first="James" last="Heard Jr"]. | 6’2, 225 | DL | 2023 | R/11</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="146546" first="Julian" last="Cervantes"] | 6’0, 275 | OL | 2023 | R/54</strong> <strong>Owen Garwood | 6’2, 175 | WR | 2023 | R/WL</strong> <strong>Joey McMahon | 6’7, 255 | OL | 2023 | R/WL</strong> <strong>Cole Nilles | LB | 2023 | R/WL</strong> <strong>Andrew Wenger | 6’0, 280 | DL | 2023 | R/WL</strong> The junior class as far as our rankings go isn’t as loaded as the 2022/2024 classes. That being said, the 2023 SJP class alone is just as stacked as some of the best programs in PA. I believe new transfer [player_tooltip player_id="160287" first="James" last="Heard Jr"]. to be a premier player in Pennsylvania. The initial ranking (11) is modest, as we are relatively new to his game. From what I’ve seen, this kid has elite athleticism matched with an incredible speed/power combination coming off the edge. I could see him become a top-five player in the state this January. We cannot leave out [player_tooltip player_id="27736" first="Josiah" last="Trotter"]. There may not be a better linebacker prospect in the entire Tri-State area, I’m sure of it. Trotter has narrowed down his recruitment to four elite programs. Ohio State, South Carolina, Penn State, and Clemson are all in the running to nab the top 2023 linebacker. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-187211 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/ESoFqbnXYAICLF3-crop-1301x854-1629345743-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>2024s/Sophomores</strong></span></em></p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="98506" first="Richard" last="James Jr"]. | 6’1, 260 | DL | 2024 | R/1</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="98507" first="Omillio" last="Agard"] | 5’10, 155 | DB | 2024 | R/2</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141016" first="David" last="Washington Jr"]. | 6’0, 190 | WR | 2024 | R/10</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142801" first="Erik" last="Sanchez"] | 5’11, 195 | RB | 2024 | R/22</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118747" first="Joseph" last="Canola"] | 5’9, 190 | RB | 2024 | R/WL</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="164520" first="Samaj" last="Jones"] | 6’1, 210 | QB | 2024 | R/WL</strong> <strong>Kahseim Phillips | 5’9, 185 | RB/ATH | 2024 | R/WL</strong> <strong>Ryan Kyle | OL | 2024 | R/WL</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-187209 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4193-crop-1632x1072-1629345686-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Our early pool of 2024 prospects contains about 85 players. Eight of which are listed above and are next in line at SJP to carry on the excellence of this program. Three players are in the top 10. [player_tooltip player_id="98506" first="Richard" last="James Jr"]. &amp; [player_tooltip player_id="98507" first="Omillio" last="Agard"] are interchangeable at 1 and 2. Either player can be deemed 2024’s premier talent. That’s how highly we at Prep Redzone think of them. Both players have already felt recruitment heat up, as both have received early offers from SEC and Big-Ten programs. An X-factor for the class, and the team as a whole, is [player_tooltip player_id="141016" first="David" last="Washington Jr"]. If I had to guess who the next weapon on this offense is going to be, I’d choose Washington Jr. I expect him to drive in prolific numbers starting this Fall. Obviously, this program is stacked to the brim. The best part of covering this team is seeing how well young players transition into the system and contribute right away. It’s a testament to how much time and work is put in by the coaching staff at St. Joseph’s Prep. I hope to catch some games this Fall.