2027 PRZTop100, One Standout Trait Witnessed on Tape, 100-91
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Xavier Burke PA #100 LB #9 HEIGHT 6'0" WEIGHT 185 POS LB CLASS 2027 View Profile Xavier Burke State: Pennsylvania School: Dunmore Closing Speed & Size for Age Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. His production as…
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Continue ReadingClosing Speed & Size for Age
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. His production as a freshman initially caught my eye, along with his stature at an early point in Dunmore career (6’1, 195). All of this being said, Burke’s closing speed after diagnosing the play is what got him ranked on our site. Kid can identify on the fly, shed, and close the gap like some special upperclassmen I cover. Great start.
OL/TE/DE Positional Versatility
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. North Allegheny’s Grant Girty Grant Girty 6’0″ | 200 lbs | DL North Allegheny | 2027 State PA shows off a good freshman tape, one with a ton of JV reps showcased. That’s okay, not easy to crack that NA starting lineup even if you are a solid freshman prospect. Girty stands out as a two-way trench player who has reps stationed at OLB/DE, as well as some OL helping out in run-blocking sets. Depending on how his frame develops, look for Girty to be a pivotal piece to NA’s future, whether it be on the offensive or defensive front.
Highlights
All-Around Game Despite Size
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. Usually, 5’7 prospects who see the field this early in the Pub are doing so out of necessity, or because they can provide speed that a defense/offense must account for. With Washington’s Jakai Stevenson Jakai Stevenson 5’7″ | 130 lbs | WR Washington | 2027 State PA , he’s a rare case that can help at all three phases of the game. He can provide real wideout reps, is capable of scoring and does so on tape. Tack on his ability to block at a high level, despite weighing 130 pounds soaking wet. Stevenson can serve as a DB, both a tackling and ball-hawking DB at that. Interceptions, PBUs, TFLs, the kid provides all of this on tape yet you’d hardly even see him standing in the huddle. Excited to see him blossom as he develops over at GW, good player.
Potential
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. I might be over-shooting on this young man, time will tell. Has a 17-minute tape that isn’t cut up well. Best plays not in beginning, plays that shouldn’t be in are, looks like JV football. All fo this being said, I’ve heard coaches out West rave about the young man’s physical potential, is already 6’2, 170. Is already a multi-sport kid. He’s looked great at 7v7s I’ve attended in the past. Want to see substantial tape in the future, but am holding out hope that this kid turns into something special down the line.
Playmaking Ability
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. Love how this young man’s tape is constructed. First rep showcases Steele’s ability to play in single-high sets at safety, shows off some ball-tracking skills too. Next, you see Steele align at QB, taking the snap and running for 30+ yards after improvising behind the LOS. Next rep, witness Steele taking a sweep-motion handoff for a score. Talk about a weapon, playing varsity ball too. I can’t go without detailing his efforts as a punt/kick returner either. Steele has his hands on the football a ton, a three-way player whose efforts have already caught my attention this early into his career.
Off-Coverage Skills
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. Re-watching Lovitt’s tape, I might be reaching a bit here with a top 100 placement. Lovitt is going to have to sustain tape like this and expand on his overall skills as a boundary corner if he wants to stay this high on the rankings moving forward. Can play off the LOS and run with kids deep. Plays the football well after breaking toward his target. PBUs, plays the catch-point well, has a couple interceptions to his name. He’s earned the trust of his coaches early on, means a lot, especially for a corner.
Highlights
Work Ethic & Body Development
Camp performances are great, JV performances are worth something, don’t get me wrong. I’d argue, however, that an emphasis on behind-the-scenes body development, along with an almost tangible work ethic, is more important to have at this stage of Cayden Ohler Cayden Ohler 6’1″ | 260 lbs | OL St. Joseph’s Prep | 2027 State PA ‘s career. Ohler is at St. Joseph’s Prep, he’s got a ways to go before sniffing real starting time on Varsity Hawk ball. There’s only one thing to do if this is the case, sit back, keep your head down and train your tail off behind the scenes and be ready for any future opportunities. From what I can tell, that’s exactly what Ohler is doing. The young man is likely to impress once he’s ready to be counted on. Stay in the books, stay in the weightroom and we will likely have a perennial top 100 prospect moving forward.
Number One Option as a FR, Two-Way Capabilities
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. In hindsight, I’d have no problem ranking Gregory inside the Top75. Currently sits at 93 but man is this kid talented beyond his years. Carries #1 wideout size, carries a #1 wideout stride off the LOS out of his stance. 450 yards of production, doing so while working nines, posts, and screens alike. Good acceleration skills for a 6’1 body, can maintain speed while tracking the football downfield. Reminds me a bit of Danny Dyches Danny Dyches 6’4″ | 185 lbs | WR Souderton | 2024 State PA / Rashad McNeil Rashad McNeil 6’2″ | 175 lbs | WR North Penn | 2024 State PA , yet he’s still just a freshman. Watch for a deeper eval coming later, excited to identify his talents a bit early. Exemplary DB reps too.
Finishing & Two-Way Experience
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. Love seeing Matt Gaul Matt Gaul 6’1″ | 250 lbs | OL State College | 2027 State PA work with the 1s. I’m not exactly positive what rep share looks like among the State College offensive line, yet it appears that Gaul is getting real action alongside some of SC’s best. He’s soaking in invaluable experience on both sides of the football, this will bode well for his future stock no matter what side of the football he ends up primarying. Gaul’s finishing ability on offense, his ability to shed and clean up plays on defense, the kid is a true finisher and producer. Is already 6’1, 250, good measurables for a FR. Pancake blocks caught my attention immediately.
Athletic Potential
Will provide a deeper eval at a later time. Formerly out of Trinity, now at Cedar Cliff. I’ll admit, Dent’s current ranking comes because of rumblings I’ve heard about his skills from trusted sources. The young man doesn’t have a freshman tape up on Hudl, which is almost always a no-no for me. That being said, I’ve heard from trusted coaches that the kid carries serious athletic potential. Want to see more this coming Fall if I’m going to keep him here moving forward.