Dissecting The Most-Talented LB Class in Recent PA Memory, #1-7

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["255078"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Arguably the crown jewel of the entire 2025 PA class, regardless of position. A top five safety, LB, and EDGE rusher all packaged into one elite prospect. The cream of the crop, the historic linebacker class can't go under the knife without first mentioning St. Joseph's Prep's [player_tooltip player_id='255078' first='Anthony' last='Sacca']. We don't need to dissect the tape, we've done so in previous posts. We will dive into his most recent announcement, Sacca releasing his Top Five destinations, narrowing down his commitment list to Alabama, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Duke, and Notre Dame. Penn State did not make the cut. I wouldn't be surprised to hear [player_tooltip player_id='255078' first='Anthony' last='Sacca'] excelling beyond expectation early in his collegiate career. I'd double down and suggest he could start in his first two seasons at any of the programs he listed in his Top Five. He's pressing for the top overall spot on our rankings as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d192"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrianDohn247/status/1755638855686860889","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrianDohn247/status/1755638855686860889 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598735"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The best blend of athleticism, production, tape, build, outside of SJP's [player_tooltip player_id='255078' first='Anthony' last='Sacca']. Greater Latrobe's [player_tooltip player_id='598735' first='Alex' last='Tatsch'] recently announced his commitment to join the Nittany Lions' 2025 recruiting class. I can write until my nails bleed about his meteoric rise to the top of this list, now we can see how he stacks among the best of the best. Tatsch now joins DJ McClary, a stud backer out of Henry Snyder HS (NJ), and a soon-to-be-mentioned Imani Christian backer as the three commits occupying the LB position. Tatsch might not scream athleticism the way McClary and Burnett do, yet I'd argue Tatsch is the favorite for long-term success at Happy Valley. There's a foundation, a floor that I'd argue is higher than most surrounding him. [player_tooltip player_id='915706' first='Cam' last='Smith'] is vying for this position, a great senior year is likely needed to prevent the top two LBer spots from being held by SJP kids.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d208"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386032"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Announced his commitment to Penn State University on February 7th. PSU reeling in yet another stud Western PA linebacker, it's a recruiting class staple each year. Whether or not [player_tooltip player_id='386032' first='Dayshaun' last='Burnett'] is a true 6'4, 220 pounds could prove to be crucial in terms of his future projection at PSU. It's easy to call Burnett's game a bit raw, it's easy to project him as more of a situational OLB whose role has to pan out through the first two training camps. Burnett exudes athleticism, it's why he often doesn't come off the field, Imani Christian has no problem trusting him to play both sides of the football. The jump from 2A ball to Power Five ball shouldn't be taken lightly. There's no questioning Burnett's threshold to grow, both in the weight room and in terms of repertoire, yet the severe jump in competition will likely startle/shock at first. Excited to see him join the many PA OLB/EDGE recruits already stationed at Happy Valley.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d270"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KDKARadio/status/1755359182172082442","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KDKARadio/status/1755359182172082442 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["915706"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='915706' first='Cam' last='Smith'], who recently announced his commitment to Duke University, has a real chance to jump to the two spot on this list next update. Many outside of PA like Smith as the best backer in the state, but you'd have a hard time convincing me of that when stacked up against teammate [player_tooltip player_id='255078' first='Anthony' last='Sacca']. Regardless of meaningless rankings and trivial positioning, Smith is in the top LB conversation nonetheless. A build best suited for seeking/sprinting to the football. The leanest of the bunch so far, so lateral agility and tracking ball carriers must be a plus. Can argue those are his calling cards. Smith is the crown jewel of the Duke 2025 recruiting class, they'll be hard-pressed to reel in a better overall prospect. No real hole in his game, can be a gap shooter/clogger without being tasked to do so schematically. Can be trusted to drop into a zone and can athletically match up with a ton of offensive weapons in the state. Interested in seeing how Smith develops from a build POV. I'd imagine Duke wants to keep him snappy and twitchy off the ball, A good 10-15 pounds would likely suffice for ACC play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d2d4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["598629"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The best linebacker option still available outside of Sacca. The more Big10 teams that inquire in the form of offers, the more I lean toward evaluators liking the kid at OLB. Would love to know if his measurables are verified, a ton of different numbers floating around. Either way, the kid carries the ideal ingredients for any coach who wants to cook the raw materials. Michigan State's Joe Rossi and Wisconsin's Nate Letton are actively recruiting PCC's multi-faceted ATH. A serious TE/WR option, reps at these positions on tape help further his case as an athletic OLB option at the Power Five level. If Gompers is closer to 6'2-6'3, look for potential suitors to see if he can play Safety at the next level, considering he's registered a real 4.5 40 time in the past.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d33a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GompersBradley/status/1727008752401002705","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GompersBradley/status/1727008752401002705 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["599447"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='599447' first='Jake' last='Bauer'] thrusts his name into the top tier at his position. For two consecutive seasons, I was under the impression that all Bauer lacked was the recruiting heat to cement his place among the best in the state. Thankfully, this past Winter, programs finally caught up to my prior grade. Pitt, Boston College, Akron, Army WP, and UPenn have all reached out to the Malvern Prep All-Leaguer in the form of scholarship offers. Bauer isn't the moldable pass-rushing OLB/EDGE freak that Sacca and Burnett are, what you see is what you get. Bauer boasts a high floor, a higher floor than many above him if I'm being honest. I like him as an equal to [player_tooltip player_id='915706' first='Cam' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='598735' first='Alex' last='Tatsch'] in terms of next-level upside. Very surprised G5s haven't keyed in on him yet. Bauer certainly has a Power Five ceiling, yet his true fit might come at the G5 level. How Temple, Ohio, Coastal, and others alike haven't offered him yet is beyond me.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d39e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269136"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"After an explosion onto the scene that drew out the likes of Temple and UConn alike, [player_tooltip player_id='269136' first='Michael' last='Gaul'] has seen considerable interest out of Ivy League programs looking to bring in both brains and talent. That's State College's [player_tooltip player_id='269136' first='Michael' last='Gaul']. Cornell, Dartmouth, UPenn are the most recent suitors that have added their names to Gaul's offer sheet. P5 to G5 to FCS/Ivy's, Gaul's spectrum is a bit wide right now, this doesn't mean recruiting is swaying in one way or another, but trends are trends. Gaul placed inside the Top 50 for a second consecutive update, with a placement outside of the top ten in his position becoming ever the more unlikely. Would love to someday see him work in person. He and [player_tooltip player_id='599447' first='Jake' last='Bauer'] boast similar builds, similar skill sets, look for both to battle for position behind the upper echelon of backers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6593aa816d402"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MichaelGaul20/status/1757231762424418723","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MichaelGaul20/status/1757231762424418723 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->