March Thoughts & Observations – District I
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Welcome to my first March thoughts and observations notebook for District I this month. Below, I give some quick notes and observations for seven different District I programs heading into mid-March. Two District I programs added big-time prospects to their…
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Continue ReadingWelcome to my first March thoughts and observations notebook for District I this month. Below, I give some quick notes and observations for seven different District I programs heading into mid-March. Two District I programs added big-time prospects to their rosters over the last several weeks, and I also discuss several prospects deserving of more attention this spring.
Pope John Paul II – I recently learned that one of our top offensive linemen in the state, Kevin Heywood Kevin Heywood 6'7" | 300 lbs | OL Pope John Paul II | 2024 State PA transferred to Pope John Paul II, which I think is a fantastic addition to that program. They were fantastic last season with a 10-2 record and have the talent to follow that up with another strong showing this upcoming fall. Heywood will help solidify their offensive line, no doubt in my mind.
Coatesville – I really love the potential of Coatesville heading into next season after watching more tape this off-season. They’ll have to replace some key players who have graduated, like quarterback Harrison Susi Harrison Susi 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Coatesville | 2023 State PA but return a ton of talent, especially on defense with the likes of defensive backs Armon Richardson Armon Richardson 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Coatesville | 2024 State PA (2024), Amir Haskett Amir Haskett 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH Coatesville | 2024 State PA (2024), and linebackers Connor Rickabaugh Connor Rickabaugh 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Coatesville | 2024 State PA (2024), and Marquise Washington Marquise Washington 5'8" | 175 lbs | LB Coatesville | 2025 PA (2025). They only allowed a little over 11 points per game this past season and should be fantastic defensively again in 2024.
Downingtown East – We probably don’t talk enough about offensive tackle Adham Abouraya Adham Abouraya 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL Downingtown East | 2024 State PA . Yes, we have him highly ranked, but he still probably deserves more love going forward. Most don’t need me to tell you this, but Abouraya is a legitimate Power Five offensive tackle prospect with tremendous measurables at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds. He moves really well for size, the athleticism checks out, and he is a bulldozer, consistently opening up holes for his running backs. In an option-based offense as well, he is constantly taking hits from multiple defenders sometimes and shows no sign of those affecting him; from the time the clock begins in the first quarter till it hits zero in the fourth quarter, he is just consistently great at moving would-be defenders.
Central Bucks West High School – Another player that we need to start talking more about, as well as quarterback Granz Cooper. The three-year starter stands at 6-foot-1 and 190-pound and has additional reportable measurable of a 4.58 40-yard dash, a 35-inch vertical, a deadlift of 455 pounds, a bench press of 270, and a squat of 405 pounds. If all those measurables are accurate, we’re talking about a unique and gifted athlete in Cooper.
Perkiomen Valley – Moving on to the Vikings – I want to highlight Cole Euker Cole Euker 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Perkiomen Valley | 2025 State PA , a prospect that is certainly gaining more and more attention as of late. The 2025 prospect has good size at 6-foot-3 and 250-pounds – has all the makings of being a legitimate FBS prospect with Power Five upside. We have him as the 18th-best prospect in the state, and I think that he can rise even higher – He has a trip scheduled to Penn State later this month – it won’t be the last Power Five trip he goes on; the offers should come rolling in for him sooner than later.
Downingtown West – West recently added 2024 ATH Ayden Harris to their roster as he moves to Pennsylvania from Missouri- this will be a big-time player to keep an eye on as he certainly has FBS upside. He is not the biggest player at 5-foot-9 and 198-pounds, but he was a standout and an all-state selection in Missouri and has a chance to be a big-time playmaker for West this upcoming season. Power Five potential here.
North Penn – The Knights lost a lot of talent this past season, but I’m going to be watching running back Amir Major Amir Major 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB North Penn | 2024 State PA and WR Rashad McNeill as two players on the offensive side of the ball to take over as leaders on the Knights’ offense. Both players have a chance to have major breakout seasons this upcoming fall.