2023 Rankings Update: Top Thirty District 7 (WPIAL) Seniors Pt.1

After this most recent rankings update, we will begin breaking down the top prospects from each of the 12 districts in Pennsylvania. [player_tooltip player_id="27735" first="Rodney" last="Gallagher"] | 6’0, 160 | ATH | Laurel Highlands [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"] | 6’1, 175 | DB | Chartiers Valley [player_tooltip player_id="64014" first="Jordan" last="Mayer"] | 6’5, 230 | DL | Thomas Jefferson The top three WPIAL seniors are three recruits that should be recognized nationally. That’s a no brainer when speaking on reigning top WPIAL player [player_tooltip player_id="27735" first="Rodney" last="Gallagher"], same goes for PSU-bound [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"]. Those not in the know or not invested in Pennsylvania football might actually scratch their head seeing [player_tooltip player_id="64014" first="Jordan" last="Mayer"] being labelled a national recruit. The Badger Football commit almost cracked the Top-20 on our list before his decision to play Big-Ten football at Wisconsin. Check back two years from now and I can foresee a future where [player_tooltip player_id="64014" first="Jordan" last="Mayer"] is an elite BIG10 defender. https://twitter.com/Jordanmayer33/status/1536094309459664896?s=20&t=fqcE72RZC1fJtMAl-eMivw [player_tooltip player_id="248822" first="Davoun" last="Fuse"] | 6’5, 190 | ATH | Washington [player_tooltip player_id="66045" first="Donovan" last="Walker"] | 6’1, 170 | DB | Aliquippa [player_tooltip player_id="248113" first="Conlan" last="Greene"] | 6’4, 250 | DL | Penn-Trafford [player_tooltip player_id="248822" first="Davoun" last="Fuse"]’s tape is just as electric as anyone in the state, regardless of class. Personally, I’m not sure there’s a tape that better encompasses the word "ATH", with Gallagher being the only prospect to rival this notion. If there was a prospect I can make a case for that deserves national attention, it would be [player_tooltip player_id="248822" first="Davoun" last="Fuse"]. Added in this tier is the best DB after [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"], a tough choice considering the amount of talented DBs behind him. We went with State Champion [player_tooltip player_id="66045" first="Donovan" last="Walker"], who is working hard to earn a dream offer out of Pittsburgh, one that we think is deserving at this point. [player_tooltip player_id="248113" first="Conlan" last="Greene"]’s stock has been scorching hot this offseason. We moved him into the top-50 in his class, another state champion who dominated our Prep Redzone camp. We valued the chance to see him up close and personal. https://twitter.com/davoun_fuse/status/1524534291237060609?s=20&t=fqcE72RZC1fJtMAl-eMivw [player_tooltip player_id="140954" first="Cruce" last="Brookins"] | 6’2, 180 | DB | Steel Valley [player_tooltip player_id="160523" first="Raion" last="Strader"] | 6’0, 170 | DB | Penn Hills Bobbie Boyd Jr. | 5’7, 165 | DB | McKeesport Three excellent DBs that all scored FBS-capable grades out of me. I talked about each in our top 10 overall DB article posted over a week ago. Picking defensive backs at this point in the rankings is absolutely splitting hairs. If you told me either Brookins, Strader or any defensive back below was the best after [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"], I wouldn’t argue with you. Cruce gets the edge simply because of how special he is with the ball in his hands at Quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id="91654" first="Jayvin" last="Thompson"] | 6’2, 190 | WR | Central Valley [player_tooltip player_id="139979" first="Jake" last="Beam"] | 6’5, 280 | OL | Pine Richland Gregory Smith Jr. | 6’5, 315 | OL | Steel Valley First time mentioning prospects out of Central Valley or Pine-Richland, which is a surprise considering how stacked both teams are. Central Valley is represented by [player_tooltip player_id="91654" first="Jayvin" last="Thompson"], an elite athlete who and back-to-back champion who could be designated as a DB or WR. 11 touchdowns on offense, 11 interceptions on defense. He joins the list of potential defensive backs that could easily make their way into the top-20, especially considering he could go for 1000+ receiving yards this upcoming Fall. Somehow, we may have underrated this kid. Representing Pine-Richland is [player_tooltip player_id="139979" first="Jake" last="Beam"], another state-champion who carries a wonderful 4.0 GPA. Group of Five programs are heavily recruiting this young man, yet we expect a big spike in offers before the season commences. Can’t forget this young man’s potential along the defensive line as well. After Beam comes Gregory Smith jr., who is a top offensive lineman in this class regardless of grade. Many FCS and G5 schools are after this mammoth of a prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="140954" first="Cruce" last="Brookins"] can’t do everything by himself, Steel Valley is special trotting out Gregory Smith alongside the dual-threat QB/DB. [player_tooltip player_id="98581" first="Neco" last="Eberhardt"] | 6’3, 285 | DL | Aliquippa [player_tooltip player_id="64016" first="Braylan" last="Lovelace"] | 6’1, 190 | LB/ATH | Leechburg [player_tooltip player_id="64015" first="Jahmil" last="Perryman"] | 5’9, 170 | DB | McKeesport These three might be "last" in this piece, don’t get it twisted. Each of these three prospects still land in the top-60 overall out of 700 total prospects ranked. This goes to show just how loaded this District is. [player_tooltip player_id="98581" first="Neco" last="Eberhardt"] has been shown love from schools this Spring/Summer, some of which include Maine, Albany, Lehigh, Rhode Island, Air Force, and Georgia State to name a few. I’m happy programs have pulled the trigger on quite possibly the best interior defensive lineman the WPIAL has to offer. A man this big shouldn’t move as fluidly as he does. Big shout out to [player_tooltip player_id="64016" first="Braylan" last="Lovelace"], who committed to the University of Pittsburgh just two days ago. An underrated get for the program that offered the Leechburg product just six days before his announcement to commit. https://twitter.com/BraylanLovelace/status/1538579804538257413?s=20&t=fqcE72RZC1fJtMAl-eMivw