2023 Philadelphia Public League Primer: Prospects to Know Pt.1

South Philadelphia    Potential is through the roof. South Philadelphia's man under center has seen tremendous year-over-year growth. A top-250 ranking is a huge start for what was a raw prospect who had a lot to learn if he wanted to play QB at the next level. He still has a ways to go, yet [player_tooltip player_id='598938' first='Jaylen' last='Johnson'] is flashing the dual-threat capabilities to make him a threat with the ball on every down. Tape flashes downfield throws in under-center, tight formation sets. There's an emphasis on footwork and timing. I'm impressed by the easy throws he makes underneath ten yards. The downfield shots are great, yet you're going to show college coaches you can run an offense the way it's designed by throwing accurate and catchable balls behind the first down sticks. This kid is just tapping into his potential.    Self-listed at 6'3, 190 pounds, looks every bit of it on tape. Serves as South Philadelphia's main target out wide, will most likely serve that same role this coming season. Great at the LOS, is utilized early and often in the screen game, where the big-bodied Alidou can put his pads down and get tough first downs. Is also utilized in goal-line situations, makes sense considering how he towers over most DBs. Effort in blocking. Production is low, but we are banking on his athleticism.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/swprab/status/1569013438826815489?s=20 </div></figure>   Lincoln    Would probably rank [player_tooltip player_id='558622' first='Nate' last='Rivera'] a couple of spots higher after rewatching his tape from this past Fall. [player_tooltip player_id='140943' first='Khani' last='Knight'] found [player_tooltip player_id='558622' first='Nate' last='Rivera'] in red zone / goal-line situations on several occasions. Rivera eats up DB cushion quickly off the snap, solid release off the LOS. A slight frame that he needs to work on, said slight frame keeps him shifty in space. He keeps his feet underneath him when cutting, balanced for the most part.    Opportune DB that is always in the mix. Three interceptions start his junior tape, you can see how natural he is with the football in open space. Good ball awareness both before the throw and after. Understands when and where to be from a safety perspective. His tape is littered with PBUs. Shows off some hitting later in the tape, some pass-catching reps too. Arguably a better receiver prospect than anything, he's seen taking screens and underneath routes to the house. Corley has won his fair share of reps against bigger DBs too. A lot to like about his recent tape.    Another young wideout developing around Corley and Rivera. Bredell, the younger of the trio, might be the most explosive weapon at Lincoln's disposal. I'd like to see more production before a ranking, yet I feel it's on the way. Bredell also provides kick and punt return capabilities. Worth noting some of the measurables and numbers surrounding Bredell. He self-lists at 6'2, 180, a height/weight combination that would serve him well in the recruiting world. Tag on a potential 4.51 laser 40, you get the picture of the type of athlete we might have on our hands. Exciting future.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BZiyyon/status/1627780878565769219?s=20 </div></figure>    Bit of a hybrid defender. Has the build to be an effective run-stopper and even play the pass if need be. Most of his production comes in run support, sniffing out runs in the backfield before they can gain traction. He does so from a myriad of alignments. You can find Garvin setting the edge, you can find him manning the middle. 21 is a number to point out if you're up against Lincoln's defense. One of the more trustworthy tacklers that Lincoln is bringing back this year. He needs to be ranked.   AA Palumbo    Frequent All-Pub nominee. One of the more natural passers the PPL has to offer. Seasoned in his drop-back, seasoned release, I can say with some conviction that Smalley works on his mechanics frequently. He isn't towering over kids, yet I like his thick frame at the position. Smalley is able to move said frame out of the pocket and deliver throws, so the blend of bulk and improvisational skills are intriguing. Confident passer, Smalley has no problem testing a defense deep, forcing DBs to honor vertical shots when playing Palumbo. Some anticipatory throws on tape too. I'm excited to watch this kid ball in person.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/gabexsmalley3/status/1596684171908616195?s=20 </div></figure>    Here's an undersized defensive lineman/linebacker prospect that seems to find himself around the football. He's going to end up finding himself on our rankings next update too. Fantastic motor, high energy prospect that flies to the football. Advivila has some open-field tackle reps on tape that flash why he could be a sleeper amongst PPL prospects. Tap into some of his offensive prospects and you'll like his complete skillset even further. Will be ranked as an ATH for sure.   Ben Franklin    Not sure how I'm just finding out about Vernon Young's talents. Awesome production that warrants an immediate ranking. Will come in time. Alignment versatile linebacker with a great build that allows him to produce in multiple areas of the field. Good enough awareness in drop coverage to disrupt passing lanes. Can rush off the edge well despite showing a raw pass-rushing package. Can work as a weak/strong side run defender. This is a name to know if you've got BF on schedule. Reps displayed with hand in dirt, off as well. Good get-off helps him create penetration early in reps. Quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the PPL.    Tysir Ganges is a S/CB prospect with good size that intrigues me. He has a ways to go for ranking consideration, yet there are some reps on tape to look forward to. Good clean-up hitter that assists from the secondary well, you'll feel his hits. Interested in his tape because of his dual ability to run with wideouts along the boundary at corner, while also helping out in run support at safety or corner.   Boys Latin     [player_tooltip player_id='228679' first='Semaj' last='Carmichael'] and [player_tooltip player_id='164527' first='Jayden' last='Baker'] will carry the load on both sides of the ball for Boys Latin. What a pleasure it must be to coach both of these phenomenal athletes. The combination of Carmichael and Baker will keep Boys Latin in games alone. Another year, another top-five ranking for [player_tooltip player_id='228679' first='Semaj' last='Carmichael']. We thought highly of the young man after his freshman campaign, we are happy to see him continue on the path of success after his sophomore season. [player_tooltip player_id='164527' first='Jayden' last='Baker'] is close to the status Carmichael holds. Baker provides elite two-way abilities that might have him serve as a more valuable piece to Boys Latin. Baker's ability to stretch the field vertically, as well as his ability to provide sure hands couples well with Carmichael's capabilities on the ground. Baker would rank as a top ten wideout and corner had he not been placed at ATH.   [player_tooltip player_id='1105883' first='Nasir' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='917151' first='Kyseem' last='Cooper'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1054245' first='Uwaimir' last='Dorsey'] are all prospects out of Boys Latin that I'll keep my eye on for future rankings. Their development will prove to be pivotal if Boys Latin wants to take that next step.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/6_majj/status/1591879659402190848?s=20 </div></figure>   Central    [player_tooltip player_id='377557' first='Bryce' last='Hill'] doesn't get enough love on the site. His junior tape offers a lot more than previous years, I love to see the year-over-year growth. [player_tooltip player_id='377557' first='Bryce' last='Hill'] looks significantly more comfortable as a boundary corner. He seems to trust his athleticism a bit more. The soon-to-be senior corner registered numerous PBUs but proved his worth by playing physical rep in and rep out. Screens in his direction, Hill can be seen shedding and delivering hits to would-be pass catchers. Good last resort tackler too. Love the level of physicality he brings to the secondary.    A new name out of Central, a freshman at that. One that I expect to keep an eye on for years to come. A future ranking on our site is imminent. Phenomenal play at DB, first six or seven reps on Hudl showcase his knack for not only being around the football but for reeling in interceptions as well. Six total interceptions out of the freshman corner, many of which wouldn't have occurred without his overt awareness on the field. There's a clear understanding of passing concepts pre-snap, knowledge of the game puts him in position to make plays more times than not. Interceptions, as well as reps in run support, come from a multiple alignments. You can find Connors to be a capable corner outside the numbers, as well as kicked inside at either inside or outside slot positions. I wouldn't be surprised if Connors could produce at safety as well, offense too.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaidenConnors2/status/1615455381890768917?s=20 </div></figure>   Frankford    Defensive end prospect with a desirable build. Has reps on tape that show he can tackle and make plays in-line and in the trenches, as well as out in the open-field flowing to the flat to secure tackles on the ball carrier. Has a ton of room to develop, both from a repertoire and a build perspective. Good motor from what I can tell. I believe he could provide some value at OLB as well. Intrigued but want to see more.   HS OT Future    A severly underrated prospect out of Future, [player_tooltip player_id='399288' first='Maxwell' last='Kai'] is legitimately one of the better playmakers on this list. Open-field acceleration is a plus. Scans the field after he has the ball in his hands and finds holes to exploit, especially when returning punts or kicks. Versatile prospect who can align almost anywhere. DB/RB/WR/LB capable prospect who also can contribute on both sides of the ball in special teams. Future is better off getting the ball in his hands as frequently as possible. I have to mention his effort in run support, Kai lands some big hits when covering the flat zone.    My new favorite prospect out of the Pub. [player_tooltip player_id='1105930' first='Immanuel' last='Stamps'] is a 6'4, 170-pound receiver out of Future that might turn out to be a better linebacker/edge defender than anything. The size and physicality Stamps brings to the offensive side of the ball are evident, with Future giving him opportunities to show off his size and stride downfield. I hope to see his production spike in the coming years. As far as his prowess on defense, he's a legitimate linebacker that is often too quick or too fast through the hole for slower blockers to get their hands on. Multiple TFLs and sacks registered on tape. Solid overall instincts, solid motor on tape. This is a name I have to get out there. A ranking will come too.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/13kmanny/status/1587482817218445312?s=20 </div></figure>

South Philadelphia