Bishop Canevin 2023 Preview
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Bishop Canevin had another competitive season last year, going 12-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in Black Hills conference play. Coach Rich Johnson returns a multitude of talent for the Crusaders. Johnson and the rest of Canevin will look to…
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Continue ReadingBishop Canevin had another competitive season last year, going 12-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in Black Hills conference play. Coach Rich Johnson returns a multitude of talent for the Crusaders. Johnson and the rest of Canevin will look to avenge its WPIAL Class A championship loss from a season ago. FBS recruits such as Jason Cross Jr Jason Cross Jr 6'2" | 170 lbs | ATH Bishop Canevin | 2024 State PA , Daiveon Taylor Daiveon Taylor 6'1" | 215 lbs | DL Bishop Canevin | 2026 State PA , and Henry Barbisch Henry Barbisch 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Bishop Canevin | 2025 State PA will be intimidating forces for BC in ’23. Top playmaking athletes like Marquis Carter Marquis Carter 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB Bishop Canevin | 2024 State PA , Jayden Lindsey Jayden Lindsey 5'8" | 135 lbs | ATH Bishop Canevin | 2025 State PA , Azjaun Marshall Azjaun Marshall 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Bishop Canevin | 2024 State PA , Kole Olszewski Kole Olszewski 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Bishop Canevin | 2025 State PA , and Tyler Clayton will also be key for Crusader success. Production from veteran players Braiden Sudor Braiden Sudor 6'0" | DL Bishop Canevin | 2025 State PA , Ezekiel Swift, Jaiden Collins Jaiden Collins 6'0" | 290 lbs | DL Bishop Canevin | 2024 State PA , Camden Cooley Camden Cooley 6'0" | 260 lbs | DL East Allegheny | 2024 State PA , and Najeh Austin Najeh Austin 5'9" | 205 lbs | ATH Carlynton | 2024 State PA will also be necessary for another playoff run.
The WVU commit won’t sneak up on anyone, talent-wise, in 2023. His reputation as a top FBS Pennsylvania recruit is well-documented on this particular platform and beyond. All of my colleagues alike think that Cross is a top FBS recruit with great next-level potential. He is a fluid athlete with speed and game-breaking ability. He’s a rangy safety that has D1 ball skills with good football IQ. He runs the alley aggressively and is a sure tackler, who isn’t afraid of big collisions. He’s capable of playing multiple offensive positions as well. He is very elusive with effortless breakaway speed when he carries the ball. Cross’ displays versatility and looked like he gained a step during the summer months on the camp circuit. He’s a dynamic performer that will be a big impact player for BC in 2023.
Daiveon is on several FBS radars and has already received offers from Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Marshall, and Miami, OH. Taylor was the team leader a year ago with 17 sacks in ’22. Taylor is swift off of the snap, with the athleticism to go along with his strength. Davion is 6’1, 215 lbs, and moves well laterally at the LB position and redirects just as well at DE. He’s a good blitzer that’s also capable of guarding specialists in man situations. He has a good motor and is a punishing tackler overall. Taylor is well-suited to be a beast on special teams at the college level, and there truly is no telling how much bigger he will get. Taylor will be one of Coach Johnson’s weapons returning this season.
Barbisch is another FBS prospect who has at least one offer under his belt. I had the pleasure of watching Barbisch up close, and he definitely moved like a D1 athlete overall. Henry has prototypical size and is a top-notch blocking TE. His strength will be an asset on the D1 level, in general. His mobility will be useful on special teams collegiately as well. On defense, he’s got a good motor and changes directions well in run pursuit. He flashes impressive maneuverability as a pass catcher of his size. He utilizes leverage as a run blocker by playing shorter than his 6’4” frame. I’m excited to watch him as a weapon in the middle of the field this season. He’s a big-framed prospect that could make a difference in the passing game. Barbisch and Taylor will spell trouble for opposing offenses this year when they pass rush. He’s got one FBS offer from Miami, OH, but various schools are paying attention to him presently.
Highlights
Carter is another big playmaker Canevin returns in ’23. He finished last season with 1,545 yards overall while averaging 118.8 yards per contest. No surprise why — Marquis has the vision, plus open field and close-quarters quickness when carrying the ball. His game speed allows him to break long rushing plays inside or outside of the tackles. He runs with good balance and displays a lot of effort and strength. His home run abilities, mixed with his elusiveness, make him a key weapon for BC, if not the biggest. Marquis had 11 TDs last year and will be the go-to ball carrier in 2023.
Tyler Clayton
Tyler Clayton
He’s good at controlling his body while pedaling and does a great job getting to the ball when it’s thrown his way. Tyler’s got some serious burst and speed when he’s on offense and defense. Ty also demonstrated his ability to read plays, anticipate the action, and make plays on the ball, like when he intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown in his game footage from last year. He’s also valuable on special teams, playing a role in stopping opponents during punt returns and using his speed and aggressiveness to tackle on kickoffs in 2022. He has a lot of speed and agility that Coach Johnson will most likely use on jet sweeps and spot screens this season. Clayton averaged 29.4 yards per catch last season and will be tasked with playmaking duties in ’23 as well.
AzJaun is a really versatile player whether he’s on offense or defense. Marshall is especially great at covering receivers closely when they’re lined up inside. He’s not afraid to quickly charge forward and hit the opponent behind the line of scrimmage. From what I’ve seen, he could fit into any defensive back position, given his hip movement, speed, ability to ball, and coverage skills. On the offensive side as a wide receiver, he’s quick and speedy right when the play starts. He maintains a firm grip on the ball on receptions. His agility makes it tough for defenders to bring him down, especially on screen passes, reverses, jet sweeps, and double moves. He will be an offensive deep threat and an overall playmaking contributor this year for Bishop Canevin.
Braiden, a returning letterwinner, consistently plays with great effort. He boasts good mobility and a low pad level. His motor and nose for the ball assist him on rushing plays. As a reliable center, Sudor contributed to clearing the way for over 2000 rushing yards in 2022. His strength and low pad level are also assets for blocking on offense. Sudor’s skilled hand violence and toughness shine on both sides of the ball. He’ll provide team leadership as a returning veteran player for Coach Rich Johnson this year.
Highlights
Lindsey runs his routes with a good tempo and possesses strong receiving hands. On defense, he displays solid footwork in his backpedal along with man and zone coverage skills. He has the speed to catch and run, consistently finding the endzone as a WR. His ball skills are tremendous, tying the team leader and FBS commit, Jason Cross, with 6 interceptions in 2022. He’s competitive in coverage and is a willing tackler, consistently getting the job done. Jayden has the speed to run past DBs and the body control to adjust for passes, as seen in last year’s film. He’s elusive with the ball, often achieving big gains on short passes. His ability to gain YAC is especially evident on screens and short catch-and-run plays. Lindsey is quick off the line and rapidly gets vertical after the reception. His 336 receiving yards from last season are the most among any returning WR for Bishop Canevin.
Highlights
Kole went 6-0 as a starter last season and played a significant role on offense. The 2025 QB threw for 1378 yards and 16 TDs a season ago. He’s a quick decision-maker with experience as a high-volume thrower, effectively distributing the ball to various offensive weapons. His quick trigger and downfield focus in the pocket enhance his game. Olszewski’s athleticism helps him extend plays while in the pocket. He showcased improved arm strength and accuracy on long throws at the Steeler’s Youth Football 7-on-7 tournament this summer.
Highlights
Collins, a large interior lineman, has consistently produced in the trenches under Coach Johnson. He’s quick off the snap and generates substantial power, surprising offensive linemen. His good motor results in effective pressure during interior pass rushing. He’s a tough assignment whether facing single or doubleteams, owing to his leverage and power. With violent hands, he excels at engaging and disengaging blockers. His low center of gravity enables him to consistently split doubles and achieve tackles for loss. Opposing offenses will need to factor in Jaiden’s impact in 2023.
Camden, another physical trenchman, is returning for the Crusaders this year. Cooley plays with a low pad level at 6’0, aiding him well on interior running plays. He has a stout base and a strong punch as an OL. He plays with a nasty demeanor and goes hard until the whistle sounds. His strong lower half makes him a challenging blocking assignment on interior rushing plays. He’s tough to push back at the NG position whether single or double-teamed. Cooley is yet another OL/DL with valuable game experience returning for the Crusaders.
Ezekiel Swift
Ezekiel Swift
Zeke is a tough prospect who will be one of BC’s leaders this season. He’s an adequate downblocker, understanding body positioning well on his blocks. Swift is a physical OL who does a good job of running his feet upon contact. He’s also a solid combo blocker and pass protector on the interior. He displays decent mobility on reach blocks and zone blocks. He demonstrates good effort and runs his feet well when drive blocking. The 6’2, 300 lbs OL will most likely play OG and OT for the Crusaders in ’23.
Najeh, a compactly built athlete, is slated to have a breakout season for Bishop Canevin. Austin is versatile on defense and displays genuine effort. He has the strength needed to engage and disengage offensive blockers in pursuit. Austin shows good closing speed when getting to the QB on his pass rushes. He possesses the quickness and size necessary to make an impact on special teams as well. Austin’s senior leadership will be a key asset for 2023.