Off-Season Hunting in Pennsylvania: New Names out of District 10
Tristen Mazzadra HEIGHT 6'2" POS DL CLASS 2024 Tristen Mazzadra School: Cambridge Springs Big edge-setting defensive lineman with minimal tape. Said tape shows he can be kicked inside as a three-tech and create penetration into the backfield. His size intrigued…
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Continue ReadingTristen Mazzadra
Tristen Mazzadra
Big edge-setting defensive lineman with minimal tape. Said tape shows he can be kicked inside as a three-tech and create penetration into the backfield. His size intrigued me from the start, utilizes his frame well in the trenches in terms of leverage use. Impressive reps at tight end. Great outcomes from Mazzadra as a pulling tight end, blocking for the ball carrier in space. Good outcomes when running routes out of his stance too. Good overall athlete that you can win with. Personally, I like his skill set to fit in the trenches, either side of the ball. Want to see more production overall. Mazzadra almost eclipsed the 10-sack mark on the year.
Aden Wentz
Aden Wentz
Capable of aligning shading the tackle inside or out, in either B or C gap. Good downfield pursuit of the football. Plenty of TFLs littered throughout his tape. This is a typical prospect I miss because of how little I reach out to this area. Disciplined off the edge, doesn’t pursue the BC or QB with his head on fire, Wentz displays the knowledge to not scream down the line when left unblocked. He also understands when and how to set the edge. Should be valued as a run-defender with a high motor. I could see a future where Wentz is kicked inside a bit further, projecting to the next level. I’d argue that he’d hold up in terms of strength. Hand should be kept in the dirt.
Kaleb Nickson
Kaleb Nickson
Starts his tape showing off his violent finishing ability off the edge. 6’3, 225-pound Erie defensive end that might be the more athletic of the three DLs listed so far. Phenomenal off the snap, both in terms of get-off speed as well as initial punch. More times than not, Nickson is seen displacing his opponent a couple steps into the backfield early in reps. He wins early and quickly. Good motor, often seen making tackles as a backside defender or far away from his starting point. Sees into the backfield well and takes good angles to the ball carrier. There’s a lot to like out of Nickson, he’d probably rank high among his District 10 counterparts. Would like to see his tape double in production.
Jeremiah Colon
Jeremiah Colon
Has to be a hidden gem out of Girard HS. First three reps out of Colon show him producing and impressing from three different alignments. I can tell I’m getting a football player early on in this tape. He’s seen catching a ball out in the flat and taking it the distance. Next, you can find Colon lead blocking for his RB and plowing through would-be tacklers. Next, Colon is seen rushing off the edge, securing a sack and a safety for his program. Already a lot to like about the 6’1 athlete. He’s a no-nonsense runner and linebacker at heart. I like to project his game to linebacker if he reaches the next level. Good enough instincts that have developed from enough reps on both sides of the ball.
Mason Savitz
Mason Savitz
First rep on tape shows Savitz take a read-strep towards the LOS to play the run, recognize the pass, drop into coverage and pick off a pass in his curl-zone. He proceeds to take that interception back to the house. I’ve learned a lot from one rep. He pretty much replicates this on the next rep on tape. The athleticism you see out of Savitz is understandable when you watch him work on offense. That being said, I can’t help but be enamored with his abilities at linebacker. Yes, his size isn’t anything to holler about, yet the play recognition early after the snap, the instincts, the abilities in pass coverage, it’s all too good to ignore. Reads and reacts to the flow of the ball well. I can tell I have a smart football player after cutting on his tape. Coming off of an impressive sophomore campaign. Excited to see more.
Nicholas Williams
Nicholas Williams
Not sure how I’m just hearing about this kid. Thankfully, we can get him ranked as soon as possible. 6’1, athlete Nicholas Williams out of Meadville HS racked up over 800+ scrimmage yards and added six total touchdowns to his name. Tape starts off showing off his awareness at DB, taking a tipped pass 100+ yards for a pick-six. You can see his stride on the return. Second rep replicates his first, another interception returned for a score. Watching him return punts and kicks gives you a feel for the type of playmaker we are dealing with. Good acceleration, has different gears. Good open-field vision. Again, love his stride, it shows up big time when aligned as an outside lane receiver. He can beat slow, inexperienced corners with his vertical game alone. Williams tracks the ball well, he can keep his speed while eyeing the football 40+ yards downfield. Williams, for good reason, is utilized in jet-sweep action sets, the more this kid has the ball the better. Ball skills flash on both sides of the ball. One of my new favorite prospects out West.
Bobby Blue
Bobby Blue
Bobbly Blue, a McDowell junior who was utilized in shotgun sets at RB, showing off his vision and burst out in space, working outside of the tackles. Blue’s low center of gravity makes it easy for him to stop and cut on a dime. Quick feet help that cause as well. The quick burst and acceleration makes him a change of pace back that is effective in the red zone, where the defense might be more inclined to beef up the line. Later in the tape, Blue gets to show off his toughness as a football player, aligning as a slot corner and attacking run plays headed his direction with a downhill attitude. I expect Blue to double his offensive production this coming Fall. Great knife tackler. He won’t win with size of course but isn’t scared to throw all of his weight at your knees. Would love to know what his pass coverage skills are like. Has a wrestling background.