PA Recruiting Board, 2023’s Top Uncommitted DLs
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As we get closer to the beginning of the Fall season, we look at some of the best defensive linemen still available to be recruited. Eric Gardner PA #38 DL #7 HEIGHT 6'1" WEIGHT 250 POS DL CLASS 2023 View…
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Continue ReadingAs we get closer to the beginning of the Fall season, we look at some of the best defensive linemen still available to be recruited.
Eric Garnder, a monster inside the Archbishop Wood defensive line, places as the top defender who has yet to announce his recruitment. Every time I see the young man work, whether on the field or in a camp setting, Gardner looks the part. Syracuse, Liberty, and Northwestern are just some of the schools clamoring to secure his talents. The best trait about Gardner is his ability to disrupt the passer and clog running lanes from inside or out, awesome position versatility.
Kion Wright Kion Wright 6’3″ | 235 lbs | DL Cheltenham | 2023 State PA , formerly out of Northeast HS, stands as the second top 20 senior defensive lineman who is still undecided on his future. Kion Wright Kion Wright 6’3″ | 235 lbs | DL Cheltenham | 2023 State PA fits the mold of your traditional edge rusher. 6’3, a good 235. Wright brings versatility to his pass rush setup. There are reps where you can find Wright blazing past slow, unequipped tackles. Then some reps show he can begin with speed and end with power, displaying the ability to blend both styles. College coaches at the next level must drool over the chance of landing this kid. Wright currently holds a whopping 21 D1 offers, including letters from Ole Miss, Penn State, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Maryland, and Duke.
Highlights
Jordan Montgomery Jordan Montgomery 6’2″ | 220 lbs | LB Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA might be the most athletic prospect on this list, that’s saying something. I have spoken before about just how special this kid is anywhere in the front seven. He has the size to keep up in the interior, which would be too quick for guards to handle. He can play the edge, showing a track-like get-off off the snap. He can play any of the linebacker spots, showing off his instincts to play both the run and the pass. One of my favorite players that is often overlooked in recruiting circles. Syracuse, Temple, and Maryland are hot on his trail.
Ronel Nukah Ronel Nukah 6’3″ | 235 lbs | DL Northeast | 2023 State PA is another name that isn’t brought up enough in recruiting circles. Nukah undeservedly needs to remind folks recruiting in Philly just how good he can be. Long-limbed, great frame. Nukah is my sleeper pick to jump back into the top 20 after the season is settled. The Northeast defense has reloaded and will make up for losses around Nukah, it’s up to him to show up and be dominant. Dominance is what I expect, I’m sure coaches at the next level are expecting much of the same. Rhode Island and Bowling Green have offered recently, adding to a list that includes Tennessee and Temple.
The first prospect on this list outside of Philadelphia, Aliquippa’s Neco Eberhardt Neco Eberhardt 6’3″ | 285 lbs | DL Aliquippa | 2023 State PA acts as the best defensive linemen outside of Eastern PA that has remained uncommitted. The top 50 prospect is still heralded by many FCS schools, some of which include Albany, Maine, Lehigh, and Monmouth University. We recently spoke about the Quip defense as a whole, expecting the unit to be just as dominant this Fall as it was in 2021. Eberhardt will have plenty to do with that. Excited to see where he chooses to play at the next level.
Imhotep’s Mysir Mayo Mysir Mayo 6’1″ | 255 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA rounds out the top 50. Saint Francis has reached out in favor of Mayo’s talents. Some say we have Mayo ranked too high, the rank is more of an expectation of his recruiting growth after the season is over. It’s going to be tough to get snaps inside this treacherous Imhotep defensive line. Any opportunity he gets, he could be opening new doors to new opportunities at the next level.
If I had a shot to rerank, I think I’d have Terrell in the top 40s, a spot where he originally debuted. Nonetheless, Reynolds acts as one of the state’s best pass rushers left unsigned. Reynolds’s situation might be one where he and his family wait and see what opportunities might present themselves after the 2022 Fall season is through. Despite his massive production, top programs might want to see if he can do it again. Believe me, he can do it again. Reynolds already holds official offers out of the University of Albany and Maine, two great programs to possibly fall back on.
What an offseason it has been for Conwell-Egan’s Zamire Cottrell Zamire Cottrell 6’4″ | 260 lbs | DL Conwell-Egan | 2023 State PA . I have always thought schools should be clamoring to land this young man. Yet finally this Spring and Summer, Cottrell received numerous offers, something I envisioned to happen much earlier. Since his awesome junior year ended, Cottrell has received five division 1 offers, including letters from Georgetown, Temple, and Stonehill College. D2 schools are still hot on his trail too, as they should be. A school like East Stroudsburg or Gannon landing Cottrell would be huge for either program.
Highlights
Last but not least, we have Jack Dunkley Jack Dunkley 6’4″ | 240 lbs | DL Neshaminy | 2023 State PA out of Neshaminy High School. Out of every prospect listed before, Dunkley might be the strongest and most physically imposing of the group. Happy to see a Spring and Summer filled with results for the young man. Back in April, Army WP pulled the trigger on Dunkley, a huge fit for what the program wants at defensive line. Duquesne and Saint Francis followed suit. Dunkley’s usage always intrigues me. His reps at defensive line impress, yet I could see a future where coaches prefer him at offensive line or even tight end. A luxury to have.