PRZPA 2024 Rankings Update: The State’s Top Ten Senior Backs
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Ohifame Ijeboi PA #31 RB #1 HEIGHT 6'0" WEIGHT 195 POS RB CLASS 2024 View Profile Ohifame Ijeboi State: Pennsylvania School: William Penn Charter Exciting to see a climb like this, it’s unprecedented on this site. I’ve said it before…
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Continue ReadingExciting to see a climb like this, it’s unprecedented on this site. I’ve said it before concerning William Penn Charter’s Ohifame Ijeboi Ohifame Ijeboi 6’0″ | 195 lbs | RB William Penn Charter | 2024 State PA , he has all the tools to become the best back in the state. In my eyes, he’s done just that. Ijeboi’s junior tape had him flirting with the top five, even top three, yet we had to reflect current recruiting traction back in January. Finally, Minnesota and other FBS schools saw what I saw in the young man. Ijeboi has since committed to Minnesota, we know about the recent success backs have had at the university. GG fans will love what they get out of the senior back/LB. As for this upcoming season, I’m excited to see what role Penn Charter has laid out for Ijeboi. He’ll obviously tote the rock, yet I wonder if they’ll limit or expand on his LB and special teams role. Either way, teams will have to get through this kid if they want to beat Penn Charter.
If there’s ever been a situation warranting a 1A and a 1B at running back, this situation would call for it. Juelz Goff Juelz Goff 5’10” | 195 lbs | RB Central York | 2024 State PA ‘s game, tape, and recruitment all warrant a top spot placement. Central York’s premier option and weapon, Juelz Goff Juelz Goff 5’10” | 195 lbs | RB Central York | 2024 State PA is likely to set the field on fire back-to-back seasons. There’s hardly a defense he’ll see in the regular season that has what it takes to throttle this special talent. Goff was a take at Pitt, with Goff announcing his decision back in January. Ijeboi might stand as the top prospect, yet I imagine Goff will outpace every back in terms of production on the field.
Highlights
The new kid on the blocks comes in and takes away a top-five spot from Phillips, Nelson, or Dyches. That being star two-way player Ayden Harris Ayden Harris 5’9″ | 205 lbs | RB Downingtown East | 2024 State PA , who will now suit up for Downingtown East. I broke down what to expect out of his game inside the team preview released earlier in the week. The Kent State commit arguably should be in the “ATH” category, yet I like his back skillset too much to leave him off this list. He, much like the names listed above, all have a case to land at that top spot once November tapes release.
I have a feeling collegiate suitors are waiting on more tape to further solidify evaluations made on Kahseim Phillips Kahseim Phillips 5’9″ | 185 lbs | RB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA . If Phillips doesn’t commit before the season, I imagine schools will come around to his game after the first three weeks of the season. I know enough to not bet against a kid this talented, so I’m expecting schools to come around sooner rather than later. I won’t predict what carry shares will look like after three weeks, we do know how loaded SJP is as far as backs in the stable go. Again, I wouldn’t bet against this young man.
Mekhi Nelson Mekhi Nelson 6’0″ | 190 lbs | RB Wilkes-Barre Area | 2024 PA ‘s stellar off-season keeps him inside the top 100. We placed him inside the top 60, then proceeded to add 300+ names to the rankings. The Wilkes-Barre product dropped just a bit, yet looking at the talent around him, he likely would have taken a larger tumble had we not witness him dominate events left and right. If I take recruiting into consideration, things have been relatively slow as of late. So long as Nelson continues doing what he’s doing, staying in the weight room and in the books, a suitor will come along. I have a good feeling he’ll be labeled a top-100 prospect for the duration of his senior year.
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Taj Dyches Taj Dyches 5’8″ | 180 lbs | RB St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA , despite sharing reps with Caddy Phillips, is too talented to not be recognized as a top 100 prospect. I’ve had a glimpse of his capabilities in this offense, I expect his role to expand. Even if it doesn’t, Dyches will likely make the most of any opportunities, whether they come on the ground or through the air. It goes without saying that SJP depth isn’t like depth at any other program. I imagine FCS programs will pursue the 1st-Team All-Catholic back.
I expect Juelz Goff Juelz Goff 5’10” | 195 lbs | RB Central York | 2024 State PA to tear up turf and pile up ridiculous production for Central York this Fall. I expect the same for Gateway’s Jaquon Reynolds Jaquon Reynolds 5’7″ | 170 lbs | RB Gateway | 2024 State PA . One hell of a worker, Reynolds is seemingly working to get to his best self at back. Reynolds already put forth a more than impressive junior tape in my opinion, yet he and his camp seem unsatisfied with it all. That bodes well for college programs interested in his game. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to see the best Reynolds we’ve seen yet. I want to make it a priority to see Gateway up close this coming Fall. Reynolds last received an offer over a year ago out of UMass. He’s outside of the top 100 by one spot, yet has top 50 potential.
Colin Brady Colin Brady 6’2″ | 200 lbs | RB West Greene | 2024 State PA is in the same boat as Gateway’s Jaquon Reynolds Jaquon Reynolds 5’7″ | 170 lbs | RB Gateway | 2024 State PA . A top-50 talent who has placed just outside the top 100 by two spots. West Greene’s all-around athlete will likely provide both his HS program, as well as his future college program with much more than just rushing yards through the ground. A wide range of recruiting interest, including offers pulled from Clarion, Bucknell, and Campbell alike. So many boxes are checked off by Brady without even plugging in the tape. 6’2, 200-pound build. 3.7 GPA, 1080 SAT. A sub 4.5 40 time to his name, as well as an 11.1 100M time. This is a PA gem.
We cannot deny Ethen Knox Ethen Knox 6’1″ | 190 lbs | RB Oil City | 2024 State PA ‘s career and junior tape. If you’re into Pennsylvania high school football in any way, you’ve probably heard about Ethen Knox Ethen Knox 6’1″ | 190 lbs | RB Oil City | 2024 State PA ‘s stellar junior campaign where he averaged almost 400 yards per game on the ground. Knox is undoubtedly a top back in the state, despite what people say of the competition Oil City faces week in and week out. I won’t be the one to deny Knox his flowers. The only thing holding Knox from cracking the top five or higher is recent traction in recruitment. Ethen Knox Ethen Knox 6’1″ | 190 lbs | RB Oil City | 2024 State PA picked up his first offer from Mercyhurst Univeristy on May 18th. Check out Knox’s recent performance at the All 22 Regional camp just before June.