2023 Season Preview: State College Little Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today's 2023 season preview takes us to the middle part of the state for one of the most stacked programs in the state that is outside the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh metropolitan areas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The State College Little Lions were easily one of the top teams in the entire state last year, going 13-1, including 7-0 in conference play. Due to their location, the Little Lions face the challenge of longer travel than most other high school programs - away games last year, including Dowingtown East, Altoona, Central Dauphin East, Harrisburg, and Chambersburg. They don't allow that to affect them, however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Little Lions ran through their regular season schedule last year, never really giving anyone much of a chance, their closest regular season win being an early season contest against Downingtown East (32-31). After victories over Altoona, McDowell, and North Allegheny to start their playoff run, the Little Lions fell to Harrisburg 27-7 in the playoffs as the Cougars took revenge for a loss to State College from earlier in the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That being said, State College returns in 2023 as a potential threat to get to a state title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 TE/OL [player_tooltip player_id='557731' first='Jake' last='Hohenshelt']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Twitter: @hohenshelt_jak</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-4 tight end is one of our top-5 tight ends in the 2024 recruiting class coming in at No. 3 at the position and no. 43 overall. At the next level, he may project better as an offensive lineman at this point as he draws closer and closer to the 300-pound mark. Great upside as an offensive lineman but also will be very productive when the Little Lions throw the ball his way this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 NG [player_tooltip player_id='893812' first='Justin' last='Castro-Dixon']</strong> <br><em>Twitter : @JustinCastro63</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Castro-Dixon is a very intriguing nose guard; he's reported to be at 6-foot-0 and 350 pounds. He has a personal deadlift record of 600 pounds and has squatted as much as 480. There is no doubt he has the size and strength to be a dominant defensive tackle/nose guard. Uses his size as a good advantage, has quite a bit of explosion to his game as well, and has a good motor. May need to lose some weight before playing at the next level, but there is a quality foundation for Castro-Dixon. Had good production last season with 56 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 ATH Owen Yerka</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Twitter : @Owen_Yerka</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yerka plays a little bit of everything and is the prototypical great athlete - you plug and play him wherever you need, and he'll likely give you a solid performance at the position. Has a good size that projects well to being a safety at the next level at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. He doesn't have any speed measurements but appears to have good speed and athleticism. Recorded 44 tackles last season, including three tackles for a loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 DE Thomas Keller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Twitter: @kellerthomas_31</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keller has elite size at 6-foot-5 though he will need to add more weight as he only stands in at 215 pounds. Also plays tight end for the Little Lions and could see a bigger role offensively if Hohenshelt chooses to focus more on the offensive line. Hasn't posted his sophomore tape, but as a freshman, he showed very good athleticism and explosiveness that could make him a highly sought-after edge rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 DE/DT [player_tooltip player_id='599561' first='Sam' last='Mayer']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Twitter: @Mayer50_</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mayer is a slightly undersized defensive end prospect at 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds but shows an impressive skillset. Good enough athlete who has a strong motor and the ability to fight through opposing offensive linemen with little issues. Do wonder if his skillset may be better suited to be a defensive tackle at the next level, but he was productive last season with 56 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks. I'm looking to see if his athleticism could take a bit of a step up this year; if he so he could rise into our top-75, top-50 prospects, but as he stands now, there is quite a bit to like about Mayer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 LB [player_tooltip player_id='269136' first='Michael' last='Gaul']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Twitter: @MichaelGaul20</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 linebacker had himself a really nice offseason after a strong sophomore campaign in which he racked up 120+ tackles and nine tackles for a loss. Gaul is a good athlete who is also quite the weapon offensively for the Little Lions. His future is on the defensive side of the ball, however, where he shows superb play recognition skills and fits naturally at linebacker. Early offers from Akron, Connecticut, Temple, Toledo, and Virginia Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='402439' first='D'Antae' last='Sheffey']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Twitetr: @dantaesheffey</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A top-10 talent in the state for the class of 2026, Sheffey is a special running prospect who has become a national-level recruit. Elite running back with good size and athleticism to go along with great vision. Dangerous running back who is just scratching the surface of his potential and could beat opposing defenses in many ways. Also, a very good cornerback who could play on the defensive side of the ball as well at the next level. Already has double-digit offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other notables:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few other Little Lions standouts to know heading into the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 OT Colin Dardis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 DE Luke Fuller</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 NG Michael Troupe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 WR Nick Kewitt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1317127' first='Ty' last='Salazer']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 LB Xander Mutnam</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 ATH Braylon Mahoney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 LB Peyton Crane</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 WR Jesse Meyers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 OG [player_tooltip player_id='599304' first='Reese' last='Wilson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Have information regarding a prospect or team that you believe would be useful for us to know? Feel free to contact me at dylanccwriting@gmail.com or on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/RivalsDylanCC">here</a>.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to claim your profile or don't see a profile for you? Claim or create your free player profile by clicking and searching your name&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/claim-your-profile/">here</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->