Varsity Ready, Initial Freshman Report WK 2: Beals, Coke, Merrill
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Semaj Beals PA #4 QB #1 HEIGHT 6'1" WEIGHT 155 POS QB CLASS 2026 View Profile Semaj Beals Instagram Twitter State: Pennsylvania School: Roman Catholic Watching the top-ranked freshman in Pennsylvania work against Trinity High School was a pleasure. You…
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Continue ReadingWatching the top-ranked freshman in Pennsylvania work against Trinity High School was a pleasure. You just don’t see a Freshman quarterback deal the ball the way this kid can and does. Incredible confidence and poise in the pocket. I don’t see seniors play with the confidence or decisiveness that Beals does regularly. The young man looks to be in complete control of the offense, hitting his playmakers in time, the way the scheme intends him to do so. Beals can throw the ball with different release speeds. varying his launch as needed, depending on the rush. I have witnessed the young man throws seam, corner, and dig routes effortlessly. In two games you can see Beals negate pressure by getting the ball out on time and accurately. I hear chatter from the unknowledgeable that what Beals is doing is simply because of the weapons at his disposal, one click of the tape quiets those claims. Excited to see this kid in person.
Highlights
Happy to finally see Greg Thomas in some varsity action for Germantown Academy. The kid is facing lofty expectations, his initial freshman tape from his first start at right tackle was a step in the right direction. Germantown is already involving Thomas in pass protection sets, an area of his game that will likely define his future at the college level. He displayed some quality reps this past weekend, yet we know he will likely face better competition down the road. Thomas looked the part, excited to see him become more comfortable at right tackle as his freshman season continues to move forward.
Tylerfdcdf Merrill Tylerfdcdf Merrill 6’5″ | OL PA ‘s early freshman tape has him looking like one of, if not the, best freshman linemen I’ve seen thus far in Pennsylvania. For starters, Merrill is already playing both tackle spots for Cumberland Valley, showing off two separate skillsets for college to already fall in love with. This kid is a punishing tackle that makes his presence known in both the run and passing game. Registering more than 5 pancakes in two games, Merrill will absolutely maul kids who can’t match up physically. It’s tough to find comparable size opposite Merrill, especially when you’re 300+ pounds and stand at 6’5 as a freshman. Highly impressed thus far. I’m expecting continued dominance.
Highlights
Happy and excited to finally see Elias Coke Elias Coke 6’2″ | 195 lbs | ATH Harrisburg | 2026 State PA in action against Delaware Valley this past weekend. Hard to imagine that Harrisburg can’t utilize this kid’s skillset despite the offense being loaded as is. Coke caught his first touchdown of his high school career, while also catching multiple screens at the LOS in this one. A promising debut, Coke also showed value at safety, coming downhill and making a big stop on the ball carrier. Coke, not only seeing the field but making plays, is a huge step in the right direction. I hope Coke can continue to build trust with the Harrisburg coaching staff. This won’t be the last time you see Coke making plays as a freshman.
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Although we released rankings before the season began, every single position group rank is still up for grabs. D’Antae Sheffey D’Antae Sheffey 6’0″ | 190 lbs | RB Harrisburg | 2026 State PA , a freshman back out of State College HS, might be one of the most varsity-ready backs in the state. His latest tape against Downingtown East isn’t necessarily mind-blowing, yet I can pick out things to be excited about. Sheffey is already throwing in some pass-protection reps on his tape, a huge plus for a prospect so early in development. He’s proving to be valuable on special teams, while also running hard and picking up yardage that isn’t expected of him. Sheffey’s first game of the season saw him run for a 60yard score that showed off his home-run hitting ability. His latest tape shows he can do a little bit of the dirty work. Sheffey will be an every down back.
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Torin Evans Torin Evans 6’0″ | 170 lbs | QB Susquehanna Township | 2026 State PA ‘ play certainly warrants a ranking. That time is coming. The lefty freshman quarterback out of Susquehanna Township tore through the Northern Lebanon defense with ease this past weekend. Evans, who can be deemed a dual-threat passer, threw for 160+ yards, while also rushing for an additional 60. This performance alone should have him on our rankings, yet I find it hard to believe this will be his only impressive performance of the Fall, more production is coming.
Sheffey, Evans, and now Daiveon Taylor Daiveon Taylor 6’1″ | 215 lbs | DL Bishop Canevin | 2026 State PA . Taylor lands as the third Watchlist freshman that will most certainly rank high once we rework the list after the season. Daiveon Taylor Daiveon Taylor 6’1″ | 215 lbs | DL Bishop Canevin | 2026 State PA ‘s tape against Greensburg Central Catholic gives college coaches an idea of what to expect from the young man when stationed at edge rusher. A get-off that is beyond his years, a motor that runs to the whistle. Taylor’s an intriguing prospect when you take into consideration the myriad of positions he could flourish in, yet this past weekend, we got a glimpse of Taylor the pass rusher. Two sacks, a TFL to add to it, and plenty of high-motor stops that you just don’t see from freshmen too often. I could see college coaches calling this young man very soon.