Checking in on Talent out of the Philadelphia Public League Pt.1
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Simon Gratz Hyneef Thomas Hyneef Thomas ATH Simon Gratz | 2027 State PA POS ATH CLASS 2027 Hyneef Thomas Hyneef Thomas ATH Simon Gratz | 2027 State PA School: Simon Gratz t very excited to be writing about this young…
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Continue ReadingSimon Gratz
Hyneef Thomas Hyneef Thomas ATH Simon Gratz | 2027 State PA
Hyneef Thomas Hyneef Thomas ATH Simon Gratz | 2027 State PA
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- very excited to be writing about this young man for the first time. Went to Ocean City to see Gratz and Germantown, despite the loss, the trip was well worth my time after discovering this freshman athlete out of the Pub.
- Already beginning to fill out his pads, already well-equipped physically to sustain the pounding HS football can provide, that’s including playing teams outside of the Pub.
- Acceleration, play-making ability, alignment versatility, all plusses for Hyneef Thomas Hyneef Thomas ATH Simon Gratz | 2027 State PA . The young man is unleashed by the Gratz coaching staff each week, with full intention of Thomas wreaking havoc in all three phases of the game. I witnessed Thomas take an inside handoff that he took for a score, as well as a kick return for a score, one he had no business returning. The scores were great, yet I was more impressed with his casual reps on defense, as well as at wideout. A heavy producer, one who will be heavily relied on. Excited to see him again later in the year. Could be an FBS prospect down the line, I don’t say that often.
Shafeeq Williams Shafeeq Williams ATH State PA
Shafeeq Williams Shafeeq Williams ATH State PA
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- The quarterback behind center for Gratz.
- I was enamored with Hyneef Thomas Hyneef Thomas ATH Simon Gratz | 2027 State PA , yet we can make the case that Shafeeq Williams Shafeeq Williams ATH State PA is the man that makes the offense go.
- Dual capabilities, Gratz has no problem calling QB keepers, whether that be QB sweeps or draws, both of which were called when I was in attendance in Ocean City.
- Connected on slants, screens, out-routes, he’s got the arm to test a secondary deep too if need be.
De’Shawn Terrell
De’Shawn Terrell
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- De’Shawn Terrell racked up yards at wideout in the game I attended against Germantown Academy. A kid that can be used in misdirection sets pre-snap, a gadget player who can serve as a top target in his own right. Couple Williams and Thomas as special teams returners and you’ve got two weapons who could break open a Pub game.
Tray Parson Tray Parson ATH Simon Gratz | 2025 State PA
Tray Parson Tray Parson ATH Simon Gratz | 2025 State PA
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- Tough, thick running back who can double as an H-back or LB. Hard-nosed, more athletic than his build might convey, this fact revealed itself to me after the sophomore took an inside handoff through the tackles and broke free for a 40-yard touchdown, one where no one could think about catching up to him, surprising considering his size. Better body language, shedding a few pounds and you could have a serious prospect down the line.
Martin Luther King
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- The top 50 overall junior Khalid Bueno Khalid Bueno 6’2″ | 220 lbs | LB Martin Luther King | 2025 State PA has been pleasing his coaching staff through three weeks.
- A front seven dog who can align at various positions up front.
- Plug Bueno in at EDGE/DE. Can rush the passer and create pressure with his hand on or off the dirt, he’s looking cleaner, slimmer, and more refined than ever. Put his hand in the dirt, let him use leverage to win between the tackles if need be.
- Next, have Bueno stand up at OLB to rush the passer, or cover the pass (curl-flat zones). Have him align at MLB if needed too, he can plug holes and attack blockers all day if needed.
- Icing on the cake, Bueno can be deployed in an H-back role, aligned in the backfield to chip or lead block, truly an impact blocker on offense.
- Special player.
Love the two games + scrimmage put forth on tape by MLK running back Shamir Norton Shamir Norton 5’11” | 190 lbs | RB Martin Luther King | 2024 State PA . Norton pops off for great games each year I’ve covered the Pub, yet Norton looks a bit fresher, a bit more confident so far this season. MLK coaches labeled him as a standout performer through three weeks, his production secures that notion to be true. A downhill, pinball running style, a thick lower body helps him absorb contact up high and continue to bounce off of would-be tacklers. Hope he continues to porduce this way, his rank will climb if so.
Makhai Robinson Makhai Robinson 5’11” | 170 lbs | ATH Martin Luther King | 2025 State PA is doing what he can to propel his team to wins each Friday/Saturday night. Quality reps at corner, as well as at RB, a great change of pace coupled with Shamir Norton Shamir Norton 5’11” | 190 lbs | RB Martin Luther King | 2024 State PA ‘s style of play. Usually seen as a wideout/ATH, Robinson getting involved in the run game further proves he can serve as a versatile weapon deployable wherever a coaching staff seems fit. Robinson can break open a game if a team doesn’t focus on his entire skillset, both in the return game or as a weapon on offense.
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- 6’2, 2225
- a prime candidate to rise on our ranks after the season.
- couples alongside Khalid Bueno Khalid Bueno 6’2″ | 220 lbs | LB Martin Luther King | 2025 State PA on the defensive line to stack up as a formidable duo rushing the passer.
- Can align strong-side, is powerful enough to sustain the brunt of an offense, and/or set the edge. Nice blend of power and speed, a promising build too, one that should intrigue college coaches.
- Already registered numerous TFLs and sacks in just two games.
Highlights
Washington
Jaheim Bennett Jaheim Bennett 6'0" | ATH Washington | 2025 State PA
Jaheim Bennett Jaheim Bennett 6'0" | ATH Washington | 2025 State PA
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- Here’s an Eagle who has apparently bounced around the Pub for some time, with stops at Frankford, Kensington, and Ben Franklin on Hudl. Now at George Washington, the coaching staff has labeled Bennett as one of the standout performers through the beginning of the season.
- Looking like a rankable prospect
- good size, 6’0, long limbs
- is utilized creatively, can align at multiple WR sets, can be used in pre-snap motion sets that value misdirection before the snap.
- is a quality return man, should have a punt returned for a TD already.
- can align at back if need be, good field vision and awareness with the ball in his hands, doesn’t look lost in space. Personally like him at wideout.
Terell Farris Terell Farris 5'11" | 210 lbs | ATH Washington | 2024 PA
Terell Farris Terell Farris 5'11" | 210 lbs | ATH Washington | 2024 PA
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- has one game on tape, an impressive tape I might add
- an H-back, LB-type role at GW, makes sense considering Farris is powerful enough to serve as an impact blocker at FB or TE, while also plugging holes and rushing the passer as an OLB.
- high motor, high-effort
- doesn’t always win early in reps yet the kid plays to the whistle, sacks, and TFLs have come from playing to the whistle.
- Excels as a defender before anything, disengages from OT and TEs after getting into their chest.
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- two more freshmen make this list after Thomas out of Simon Gratz.
- Huge deal if the coaching staff is raving about incoming freshmen this early into the season.
- Plugging in the tape on Tahmere Brown Tahmere Brown 5’11” | 155 lbs | ATH PENNINGTON SCHOOL | 2027 NJ and you get the gist of why this name is building steam in the Pub.
- Probably the best playmaker on the team, taking advantage of space in end-around sets. Great acceleration, great open-field vision, often taking plays to the house where he seemingly had no way of doing so.
- Can provide equally impressive reps at DB, although the focus of his first-three is to showcase how special he is with the football, can’t say I blame him. Will be ranked in the future.
- Logan Jerry Logan Jerry 5’10” | 140 lbs | QB George Washington | 2027 PA is the man behind center, the other Washington Freshman proving to be a crucial piece to the offensive puzzle at GW.
- We can get the obvious out of the way, the young man is tiny and doesn’t meet the QB measurement threshold provided by collegiate coaches.
- That being said, Logan Jerry Logan Jerry 5’10” | 140 lbs | QB George Washington | 2027 PA has a feel for the position, command, that some seniors don’t even display. I imagine the kid is seasoned at the position dating back to middle school, not often does a program trust a freshman to lead the way. GW has done just that and it makes sense.
- Understands the heavy misdirection set the staff wants to run, can run himself or throw out of these formations. Can distribute the ball easily, especially when throwing screens, hitches, and swings.
- What leaves me impressed is his ability to target kids downfield accurately. You just don’t see freshmen, especially at this size, hit corners and nines downfield at the clip he’s hitting them. His tape has me ready to come out to a GW game, I’ll be doing so soon.
West Philadelphia
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- Zamir Poteat is a former ranked prospect, one that used to be at Future, who has apparently reclassed and is now at West Philly. His Hudl still says 2023, however.
- One game on tape, against Bishop Shanahan, not circled on tape so tough to see where Poteat is lining up.
- Can’t really dissect the kid’s game, yet WP coaches have labeled Poteat as a standout performer.
- Presumably the stand-in QB.
Dontay Armstrong Jr Dontay Armstrong Jr ATH State PA
Dontay Armstrong Jr Dontay Armstrong Jr ATH State PA
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- really like this kid’s two-games on Hudl
- can serve as a corner/slot corner on defense, can and has provided scoring reps at running back for West Philly.
- Used in misdirection sets to take handoffs opposite the flow of blocking, has the playmaking ability to hit holes and score at this level. Also has some pass-catching reps on tape too.
- Love his run support reps from his slot DB position just as much as his pass coverage reps. Attacking edges after they are set and slowing the flow of offense is just as important as making passes difficult to catch, this kid helps in that fashion. Good first-two.
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- Zahfir Cleveland Zahfir Cleveland 5’9″ | 180 lbs | ATH West Philadelphia | 2025 State PA and Lidelle Robinson Lidelle Robinson 6’3″ | 360 lbs | DL West Philadelphia | 2025 State PA both have been identified as prospects pleasing the West Philly coaching staff. No Hudl on tape yet, but I’ll keep my eye on these two moving forward, especially Robinson, who lists at 6’3, 215+ along the WP DL.