Pennsylvania Underclassmen Ready to Make the Leap, Top 50, Part 2
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T.Mason Dixon PA #68 ATH #15 HEIGHT 5'11" WEIGHT 205 POS ATH CLASS 2025 View Profile T.Mason Dixon Twitter State: Pennsylvania School: Central Valley T. Mason Dixon’s sophomore tape reminds me a ton of CB East’s star senior Ethan Shine…
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Continue ReadingT. Mason Dixon’s sophomore tape reminds me a ton of CB East’s star senior Ethan Shine Ethan Shine 5’10” | 215 lbs | RB Central Bucks East | 2023 State PA , another top-tier RB/LB who graded out with an FCS floor. We are giving the same grade to a sophomore out of Central Valley. Although his physique doesn’t stand out in any particular way, I’m interested in seeing how it helps shape his future projection, whether that be at running back or at linebacker. Dixon is emerging as one of the more intriguing two-way players out west, due largely in part to his incredible instincts at such an early point in his career. Looking back through Central Valley’s track record, I had no doubt they could shape this kid into a future star, his junior year will more than likely solidify his name across the state. Premier programs have yet to send Dixon any offers, yet I expect him to test well this off-season. His tape is good enough to garner collegiate interest in its own right.
Highlights
Here’s another young, physically gifted freak out of Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Bradley Gompers Bradley Gompers 6’5″ | 205 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA adds himself to a premier list of prospects playing at the premier Western PA program. Gompers is a 6’5, 195-pound athlete whose primary role is to catch passes outside of the numbers. Hardly his only role, however, Gompers can align to catch balls from any spot on offense. He’s seen running routes from the boundary, all the way inside in-line with the tackles. PCC throws a myriad of routes his way too. He can act as a seam bender, he can run crossers, he can attack vertically. He doesn’t carry too much weight yet so he isn’t limited as a runner yet. What makes him a top-35 prospect is his prowess at OLB/S, specifically his ability in pass coverage. Great understanding of zone concepts gets him in line for big hits, as well as easy interceptions. I don’t think QBs expect Gompers to move the way he does, leading to plenty of PBUs. This kid is an athletic freak that can legitimately produce at four to five different positions. He could probably rush the passer if he beefed up too.
One of the best sophomore producers in the state, probably only outdone by Ian Olsen Ian Olsen 6’0″ | 190 lbs | WR IMG Academy | 2025 FL at Armstrong. 900 receiving yards, double-digit touchdowns, just under 60 receptions for William-Penn York’s David Warde David Warde 6’1″ | 150 lbs | ATH William Penn | 2025 State PA . I’ll be the first to admit that I had no idea he had this kind of game to his name. I remember him separating and making plays Week One of the season, quickly proving to me that he isn’t just a role-playing sophomore. Warde was in the top wideout discussion for some time, falling just three spots short of that honor. Nonetheless, the kid’s skillset will have him in line for that ranking for years to come. Warde reminds me a ton of Steelton-Highspire’s Durrell Ceasar Durrell Ceasar 6’1″ | 180 lbs | WR Steelton-Highspire | 2024 State PA . Long-limbed, slight frame, yet can seemingly separate at will. I’m not aware of Warde’s ability on the track, I imagine he’s a burner considering how he’s torched DBs on tape this past Fall. This rank might only be the beginning for Warde.
Can’t be more proud of the trajectory Cameron Kiersch Cameron Kiersch 6’1″ | 220 lbs | LB Danville Area | 2025 State PA is taking. I caught wind of the kid at our Winter camp this time last year. I thought the kid had the potential to be a top linebacker in the state based on how he tested and moved live. We were cautious in his ranking, waiting to see the work bear fruit on the field. It certainly did. Kiersch now lands as the second-ranked linebacker after Dayshaun Burnett Dayshaun Burnett 6’4″ | 220 lbs | LB Imani Christian Academy | 2025 State PA . Huge praise from me to Kiersch, as well as to Danville for developing this young man in the weight room. I had the chance to see the sophomore last Fall where I was pleased to see him bulk up and fit into his pads. He’s an easy 6’1, 205 now, with plenty of potential to continue growing. Plug in the tape and see how he moves laterally. You can see how he sniffs out plays before they begin. You get the sense that Kiersch is a seasoned veteran at linebacker when he’s actually far from that. Kiersch is far from his ceiling at Danville. I’m happy to see the Cameron blossom into an elite prospect.
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Doerue is a relatively new name to me. I happened to be scouring South Park’s Hudl when I came across a 6’0, 190-pound RB/LB whose tape caught my interest. Great balance, pad level when running between the tackles. Good lateral agility when bouncing runs outside the hash. He gains yards in a hurry, every step is a step towards beating angles in the secondary. Awesome tape at linebacker too. Great finisher, looks to win the majority of reps when one-on-one in the open field. All of this in early January. Next thing I know, Eric Doerue Eric Doerue 6’0″ | 205 lbs | RB South Park | 2025 State PA is making a name for himself at the All-American National Combine in Texas, representing Pennsylvania as best he can. His ability to perform against big-time names was the nail-in-the-coffin for me. Doerue might be moved to “ATH” in the future.
I’m on a constant hunt for 6’6, 280-pound linemen, especially underclassmen. My hunt led me back to Twin Valley where Aris Drake Aris Drake 6’6″ | 285 lbs | OL Twin Valley | 2025 State PA caught my attention. I immediately sent his name to FBS programs I’m plugged in with, making sure to spread his name around. His tape isn’t elite yet, the left tackle has a ways to go before I’d officially stamp him as an FBS-quality lineman. Yet he is well on his way to that grade, both from a tape and measurables perspective. Drake is already putting kids in the dirt, his ability to punish kids won’t have to be taught. Shoots his hands well, his strength is going to be felt on each rep. Drake is teetering the line between good and great. I imagine programs will begin reaching out to the young man for junior day/gameday visits as we get closer to next Fall.
Highlights
Xair Stevenson Xair Stevenson 6’3″ | 180 lbs | ATH USO | 2025 State PA ‘s lack of noise outside of Western Pennsylvania leaves me scratching my head a bit. Here’s a position and alignment versatile prospect who has a moldable build that programs would love to get a hold of. 6’2, 200 pounds, Xair Stevenson Xair Stevenson 6’3″ | 180 lbs | ATH USO | 2025 State PA ‘s tape left me wondering why more folks in recruiting circles aren’t mentioning his name more often. To my knowledge, this is the young man’s first go at success on the field. He might be relatively unknown outside of Western PA. I am more than willing to help out, his game deserves recognition. The University Prep sophomore can produce against the run or pass from his OLB position. Stevenson ends on the athletic side of the linebacker position, showing off pursuit and closing speed skills when blitzing or attacking off the edge. Shifts laterally from hole to hole in a flash to help against the run. Stevenson is one of those prospects that has a nose for the football as well as causing turnovers. His ability to cover the pass forced me to rank him inside the top 50. Five interceptions to his name, Stevenson was seen playing the run, then quickly planting and finding his zone after diagnosing the pass. He earned the “ATH” designation because of this. I don’t doubt that this young man could play safety if need be. Stevenson could also be a difference-maker on offense down the road. The weight room will be crucial in his development, I have no worries that the guys out West will get him in line.