2024 Rankings Update, Ranked Breakout Candidates, DL
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Kaeden Singleton Kaeden Singleton 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Canon-McMillan | 2024 State PA | 6’2, 215 | Canon-McMillan The highest-ranking prospect on the list, almost solely based on upside. Lands on the athletic side of the DL/OLB spectrum,…
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Continue ReadingKaeden Singleton Kaeden Singleton 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Canon-McMillan | 2024 State PA | 6’2, 215 | Canon-McMillan
The highest-ranking prospect on the list, almost solely based on upside. Lands on the athletic side of the DL/OLB spectrum, so much so that Kaeden was close to drawing a Power-Five grade out of me. Incredibly raw tape that primarily has Singleton with his hand in the dirt acting as a true defensive end. His weight might have you question if he can move to OLB with his hand up off the dirt. From an athletic standpoint, this is achievable. Singleton just needs an off-season of refinement and growth, along with a productive junior campaign to take off amongst recruiting circles. The young man has D1 written all over him, it’s time he proves it. I expect Singleton to answer a ton of questions this Fall.
Carter Lance Carter Lance 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Penn Hills | 2024 State PA | 6’3, 275 | Penn Hills
Nick Slogik Nick Slogik 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Bishop McDevitt | 2024 State PA | 6’5, 240 | Bishop McDevitt
Next up are two Prep Redzone camp standouts who each made top-100 debuts. Carter Lance Carter Lance 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Penn Hills | 2024 State PA , out of Western Pennsylvania dominated our camp setting. As did Nick Slogik Nick Slogik 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Bishop McDevitt | 2024 State PA , a prospect Bishop McDevitt will be welcomed in with open arms. Carter Lance Carter Lance 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Penn Hills | 2024 State PA and Nick Slogik Nick Slogik 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Bishop McDevitt | 2024 State PA both act as the biggest and most physically-imposing defenders on this list. Both are somehow un-offered at the time of writing. Slogik might resemble your prototypical pass-rusher a bit more than others. Outstanding height/weight combination, powerful off the snap, some quickness to his game that will surprise tackles after receiving a handful of powerful rushes.
Slogik’s skillset compliments his game at defensive end, where Carter Lance Carter Lance 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Penn Hills | 2024 State PA might provide penetration through the A & B gaps. I believe either prospect could play anywhere along a defensive line at the next level, given some measurable tweaks of course. Carter Lance Carter Lance 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Penn Hills | 2024 State PA is a legitimate bully inside. Great hand placement and leg strength allows for Lance to toy with smaller guards in the interior. Much like Singleton, I could see FBS programs reach out after great junior campaigns.
Aubrey Carter Aubrey Carter 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Susquehanna Township | 2024 State PA | 6’2, 245 | Susquehanna Township
A completely new name to me, as well as to the site. Like this kid’s versatility. Slow and unathletic tackles will get beat solely after Aubrey’s first step. He’s almost pushing 250 pounds, a weight at which you might not expect speed to reveal itself. It does, but where the kid eats is inside. Explodes off the ball, consistently low after the snap, love how he wins initially with his hand placement. His great start to reps already puts less talented linemen at a disadvantage, Aubrey Carter Aubrey Carter 6'2" | 275 lbs | DL Susquehanna Township | 2024 State PA ’s power makes him one of the more difficult prospects to win against after losing the initial battle of engagement. You need to be on your game from snap to finish to even have a chance against this kid. I expect a big year out of Carter.
Mario Landino Mario Landino 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL Emmaus | 2024 State PA | 6’3, 240 | Emmaus
A terrific offseason has put Mario Landino Mario Landino 6'4" | 260 lbs | DL Emmaus | 2024 State PA ’s name out there. I know many coaches at our camp who now have him on radar because of his performance. Landino looks great in a t-shirt and shorts, where he looks even better is on tape. The film checks out, say what you will about the level of competition or the production. 26 tackles on the year, 8 TFLs, and 4 sacks. I expect the sack numbers to double. On pace with Kaeden Singleton Kaeden Singleton 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Canon-McMillan | 2024 State PA to have the best speed/power combination on this list. Incredibly athletic, many on this list are capable of playing offensive line for sure, Landino might have been the only one on here to have a real impact on the offensive side of the ball as well. A player whose name is trending upwards.
Josiah Wright Josiah Wright 6'2" | 265 lbs | TE Lebanon | 2024 State PA | 6’2, 265 | Lebanon
Not enough chatter about Josiah Wright Josiah Wright 6'2" | 265 lbs | TE Lebanon | 2024 State PA . He’s young and a prospect who I’d imagine PSAC’s will be all over when the time comes. He’s also a prospect who I fully expect to see rise in the post-season rankings update. I like what I saw out of Josiah at our camp, wish we could have given the young man some more shine. With tape that he possesses and the ability to play both ways, that shine is coming whether we provide it or not. I came away impressed with his offensive line reps just as much as his defensive line reps. No matter where the young man lines up, I expect his name to be mentioned more and more as he continues to progress at Lebanon.
Sean Bennett Jr. | 5’11, 215 | Steelton-Highspire
Colden Bloom Colden Bloom 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Southern Columbia | 2024 State PA | 5’11, 200 | Southern Columbia
The next two prospects are two that are on the bottom-half of the recent rankings update, while certainly having top-hlaf potential. Tough to project each of these kid’s when both measurables are less than ideal. There’s still a ton of room for literaly growth for both Bennett and Bloom, which is why this off-season will be crucial to their production as juniors this Fall. Colden Bloom Colden Bloom 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Southern Columbia | 2024 State PA acts and serves as Southern Columbia’s defensive end when need be, yet the young man has the instincts to play LB or DB if need be. Bloom provides a ton of energy wherever alignment calls for him to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if this kid could earn RB or wideout reps on offense. He’s what veteran evaluators would call a “football player”. Bennett can also play both sides of the ball and provide quality reps at OL or DL. I would love to see the kid’s potential to play linebacker given his size, but the young man still acts as a more than servicable linemen no matter the matchup. Often, when watching Bennett’s tape, you forget that he isn’t even 220 pounds. Sky is the limit for Bennett who is a consistent off-season worker. The hard work will come to light.