Local In-State Prospects National Media’s Overlooking
In this article:
Amil Way PA #32 DB #4 HEIGHT 6'1" WEIGHT 185 POS DB CLASS 2025 View Profile Amil Way State: Pennsylvania School: Trinity CH t 6’1, 185 | DB Holds offers out of Akron, Pitt, West Virginia, and Central Michigan Recently…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading- t
- 6’1, 185 | DB
- Holds offers out of Akron, Pitt, West Virginia, and Central Michigan
Recently ranked as a top-five 2025 defensive back, has now placed here for back-to-back updates. 2023 tape opens with Way returning an interception for a score of 95 yards. Is trusted to play at the LOS, has some of the best catch-up speed in his class. A consistent runner who can be called upon to bump-and-run with many of the speedsters Central Pennsylvania has to offer. Has produced several interceptions over the past two seasons, although many of his interceptions from this past Fall have come as a result of poor QB play. Is the type of DB that can turn into a wideout after the catch, would likely excel in the return game. Can play wideout at this level too. Play recognition, awareness, I’d call both of these Amil Way Amil Way 6’1″ | 185 lbs | DB Trinity CH | 2025 State PA ‘s calling cards. So long as he continues to test well in the offseason, I expect his O numbers to climb heading into his senior year.
- t
- 6’1, 200 | DB projection, can help Latrobe win on both sides of the ball
- Currently holds offers out of Boston College, Cincinnati
Not often does an unranked prospect leap into the top 30, let alone top three at his position. That’s what John Wetzel John Wetzel 6’1″ | 200 lbs | DB Greater Latrobe | 2025 State PA has done after putting forth an incredible junior season, one that had the Bearcats and BC calling. I’ll be first to admit that the 1st-Team All-Conference DB escaped my eye for some time. Finally, Wetzel can be represented correctly on the site, landing one spot ahead of the above-mentioned Amil Way Amil Way 6’1″ | 185 lbs | DB Trinity CH | 2025 State PA . I’d bet good money that Wetzel continues to climb up boards after teams see him work in person this offseason. Fantastic Football acumen/IQ, stationed comfortably as a single/two-high safety, also frequently deployed in the box, you’re going to need advanced mental processing skills to play this many different alignments. Has to be a pleasure to coach a kid like this. Is an FBS safety, one who can fill the alley like anyone in the state. Great understanding of zone/gap run schemes has Wetzel absolutely blowing up plays he has no business being a part of. Can be utilized in exotic blitz packages if GL wants to get cute, can be trusted to win 1v1 open-field tackles. Align him outside of tackles, align him in the A-gap, this kid succeeds. An unfair pair beside Top Five prospect Alex Tatsch Alex Tatsch 6’3″ | 210 lbs | LB Greater Latrobe | 2025 State PA .
Highlights
- t
- 6’1, 220 | 4.01 GPA | LB
- Holds offers from Pitt, Boston College
My fondness of Malvern Prep’s Jake Bauer Jake Bauer 6’1″ | 220 lbs | LB Malvern Prep | 2025 State PA is well documented. We can go back some months, possibly over a year now, and find pieces/tweets singing the praises of this young man’s game. All Bauer did was double down on his emphatic sophomore season with an even more impressive Junior campaign. I ranked Bauer’s sophomore tape high among his LB’ing peers, Bauer now stands elbow to elbow with the likes of nationally known backers. A prospect I’ve seen live on more than three occasions, I can speak on the young man’s build, a build that packs a serious punch. Averaging close to ten tackles a game, Bauer mans the middle of the loaded Friar defense, serving as the program’s MIKE backer. MP likes to deploy a four-man front, mixing in Dime packages but hardly ever asking Bauer to leave the field. Whether MP deploys two or three backers, Bauer is the tone-setter who won’t be seen on the sideline. Three interceptions to his name, you can witness Bauer showing blitz pre-snap, then retreating to his zone comfortably, all the while playing passing lanes/windows behind him. I can find several heat-seeking backers who excel at stopping the run, Bauer is now proving he’s more than a brute between the trenches. Watching the junior key the run and reacting without much of a false-step is mesmerizing on tape. Happy to see some FBS programs catch up.
- t
- 6’3, 290 | OL | 3.7 GPA
- Holds an offer from: West Virginia
Flash back nine or so months and we can recall my finding of two Haverford linemen, both of whose tapes I applauded. Those two were Top-15 prospect Joshua Williams Joshua Williams 6’5″ | 300 lbs | OL The Haverford School | 2025 State PA and Thomas Barr Thomas Barr 6’3″ | 290 lbs | OL The Haverford School | 2025 State PA , who now ranks beside Williams as the second Haverford junior inside the top five at their respective positions. Barr practically willed an offer out of West Virginia, working hard in front of the coaching staff and pairing that with excellent grades in the classroom. Despite a tough injury that derailed what would have likely been a dominant junior campaign, Barr is already back running and showing off his agility in training videos posted online. I have heard first-hand how hard of a worker Barr is, I have no doubts he will come back stronger next year. The junior lineman will likely pave the way for Haverford backs from his OG/OC position next Fall.
- t
- 5’10, 160 | DB
I have no problem admitting I might’ve been a bit too harsh on Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA , at least in terms of ranking. I have no issues with the kid’s game, it’s proven by top-five rankings over the past two updates. That being said, I was on the fence as to whether or not Thomas was a legitimate Big10 corner. Penn State showed they’d seen enough out of the junior DB, proving I should go back and re-evaluate my grade on Thomas. I’ve done so, now ranking Thomas as a top-three DB in his class. Thomas would have likely stayed inside the top five even without the PSU validation. Thomas will join New Jersey’s Omari Gaines as the second DB to verbally commit to PSU among his 2025 peers. If there was any recruiter in the Northeast whose DB evaluations can’t be doubted, it would be Coach Terry Smith over at Happy Valley. I’d imagine National Media will catch up in time.
- t
- holds offers out of NC State, Iowa State, Kent State, likely recruited to play DB position.
I’ve gone on record before, stating how fond I am of Shawn Lee Jr. Shawn Lee Jr. ATH Harrisburg | 2025 State PA the quarterback prospect. This is not a prospect who is stationed behind center at Harrisburg because the team is lacking a true passer, Shawn Lee isn’t a placeholder as a dual-threat weapon. He is a legitimate Quarterback, one of the best in the state, one that I’d still rank inside the top three had I kept him at the position, I’ve done so in the past. I believe Lee Jr. could play FCS ball, even FBS ball for some programs being recruited to play the quarterback position. That being said, I’ve made the move to make Lee Jr. the top-rated “ATH” the class of 2025 has to offer. I’ve got to talking, to coaches/trainers in the know, many of whom tell me that Lee Jr. is an equally gifted corner as he is a dual-threat passer. This coming from mouths I trust. I’d assume these Power Five schools have been in the know of this for some time as well. Lee is likely a Division One prospect at two different positions, not many ATHs can stand on that fact. Not enough National Press singing this young man’s praises, outside of PRZ of course. Watch for his name to blossom moving forward.
- t
- 5’9, 155
- Holds offers from: Pitt, Coastal Carolina, West Virginia, Temple, Toledo, Maryland, Cincinatti
Outside of his coaches and trainers, you’re not going to find someone more firmly in Michael Scott Michael Scott 5’9″ | 155 lbs | WR Dallastown | 2025 State PA ‘s corner than I am. I’ve had the chance to witness his come-up firsthand, through the rankings, through 7v7 competition, through tape, through combine numbers, all Scott has done is prove people wrong in arguably every category that’s up for evaluation. Yet the young man is still being overlooked by National Media outlets. I’m sure this doesn’t bother the Dallastown junior wideout, whether or not the big-time outlets like a kid is trivial in the grand scheme of things. Scott is going to stay a Top-20 athlete on my board from here on out. There shouldn’t be a question of size concerning Scott, there are plenty of national prospects making lists at 5’9, 155. There is no questioning the young man’s speed, I’ve seen it up close and personal, so have several college programs, many of which pulled the trigger after watching him run. Scott was seriously considered for the one spot on our ranks, nothing short of hard work and discipline has him in this position. Hopefully, the rest of the East Coast media catches up.
Highlights
- t
- 6’5, 215 | EDGE/TE | Track & Basketball participant
- Offers out of Pitt, Boston College
Anyone paying attention to ranking trends on PRZ knew this was coming. Started on Watchlist as a kid I was excited to see this past Fall. I knew who Blakey was training with in the offseason, I was in the know of how well Malvern Prep develops their young men in the weight room, I figured it was only a matter of time before Bernard Blakey Bernard Blakey 6’6″ | 210 lbs | DL Malvern Prep | 2025 State PA would catch the eye of important people in the recruiting world. I went ahead and ranked him relatively high, assuming we’d eventually see big-time programs inquire about the young man. I was right. Blakey’s tape, along with his build and athleticism has earned him a look from ACC programs that have come through MP this offseason. This snowball is likely to continue to get bigger heading into Spring of 2024. National Media members would have done right by getting on this kid early. I’ll stand pat knowing we had him on our lists beforehand. Huge congratulations are to Blakey as well, who cashed in on an offseason full of hype.
Highlights
- t
- 6’2, 170 | WR | 3.2 GPA
- Currently unoffered.
Here is what many consider to be the “surprise” of the group. Ranking Hardy over certified studs in Scott and Cyrus is going to generate some head-scratching from those not in the know and that’s fine. Yet I have a good feeling Rameir Hardy Rameir Hardy 6’2″ | 170 lbs | WR St. Joseph’s Prep | 2025 State PA is the next big name to blow up out of St. Joseph’s Prep. Hardy put together fantastic tape despite playing beside names like David Washington Jr. David Washington Jr. 6’0″ | 190 lbs | WR St.Joseph’s Prep | 2024 PA , Brandon Rehmann Brandon Rehmann 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR St. Joseph’s Prep | 2024 State PA , and Elijah Jones Elijah Jones 6’1″ | 210 lbs | DL Sun Valley | 2025 State PA . Hardy was still able to gain he trust of the staff to be involved over stud Power Five senior commits. His stride, hand-eye coordination, and production as a junior in this offense should have those same programs buzzing. Hardy is going to have to test well, I’m unsure of how his times stack up against competition, yet I know the SJP staff will have him prepared well for the offseason. We are still unsure of about the QB situation leading into the 2024 Fall season, yet this shouldn’t affect Hardy’s recruitment much. I’m willing to bet that Hardy receives attention close to what Jalil Hall Jalil Hall 6’4″ | 190 lbs | WR Bonner & Prendie | 2025 State PA has seen over the past year, so long as Hardy tests well in front of coaches in the coming months. I believe in that so much as to rank him inside the top 20.