Rising Stars: College Prospects to Watch

<p>There have been numerous athletes in June who have put themselves on the radar. Colleges are still tirelessly searching for their next recruit, and I have a few more names to add to the mix. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='416615' first='Jance' last='Henry Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='447350' first='Carter' last='Bonner'] were unknowns last summer but have since become highly sought after. So, who are the prospects worth watching? Some notable names to keep an eye on are [player_tooltip player_id='671915' first='Arnold' last='Mugerwa'], [player_tooltip player_id='819739' first='Kaden' last='Ayre'], [player_tooltip player_id='598955' first='Alonzo' last='Wade'], [player_tooltip player_id='599445' first='RaSaun' last='Hough'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1369381' first='Zahir' last='Ismaeli']. Now, let's take a closer look at these players.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jance_jr/status/1798329353211932678 </div></figure>   <p>One of the most exciting 2027 recruits is blue-chip [player_tooltip player_id='416615' first='Jance' last='Henry Jr.'] He's extremely elusive, with speed and next-level agility. His body control and pad level on both sides of the football allow him to play with power mixed with substantial quick-twitch ability. He's a reliable tackler on the backend who punishes anything coming across the middle of the field. His footwork, ball skills, and route recognition regularly put him in position to intercept passes. His low center of gravity when he pedals gives him the ability to trigger quickly when running the alley or simply reacting to the play. When I first wrote about Henry, he hadn't received any scholarships, but that has definitely changed. Since the start of May, Jance has been extended offers from Ole Miss, UCF, Michigan State, WVU, UConn, and NC State. The talented 2027 athlete has also received offers from UNLV, Toledo, Akron, Pitt, Miami (OH), Wisconsin, and Syracuse.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CarterBonner8/status/1788619329195417925 </div></figure>   <p>Bonner is another blue-chip prospect in his class from Western PA. I watched his two-way FBS playmaking ability up close against East Allegheny, where he had an acrobatic interception and multiple touchdown receptions. He recently transferred from Shadyside Academy to 5A Penn Hills, which will keep the Indians formidable. He's another well-built 2027 prospect at 6'2” and 185 lbs. He currently holds D1 offers from Pitt, UNLV, Penn State, West Virginia, Akron, UConn, Michigan State, Troy, Maryland, and Miami (OH). I'm excited to see Bonner compete against the biggest schools in Western PA this season.</p>    <p>I first got a chance to report on Arnold after watching him perform at the Future Freaks camp last summer. I remember thinking that this upperclassman has the size at 6'3 and the ability to be a scholarship athlete on the D1 level. The funny thing about that thought process was that he was only an incoming freshman in reality. What's not to be impressed by Mugerwa, he's a red zone/deep ball threat that is physical versus pressman corners. The 27' X WR has strong hands and competes hard for his receptions if the DB is close by. His 185 lbs frame mixed with his willingness to hit also translates well on the defensive side of the ball. </p>    <p>Kaden has been turning a lot of heads at camps this summer. He's a nicely-sized DB at 6'0 and 170 lbs with a competitive demeanor. He flips his hips well and stays over the top in Cover 3. His ball skills on film are impressive on both sides of the ball. He stood out at Duquesne's camp with how hard he competed. At Seton Hill's camp, he was also a prospect worth talking about due to his performance. He's versatile enough to play multiple DB positions and looked good picking off passes from free safety at 2 Tenths' 7-on-7 league. Ayre is one of the City League's top returning prospects.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zowade11/status/1728611946096697508 </div></figure>   <p>Wade is definitely a college prospect that more scholarship-level programs should be watching. At 6'2, 190 lbs, he is relentless in making tackles in the flat. He excels at getting hands on the WR, zone-dropping with good range, and reacting to the pass. Alonzo's open-field tackling and football intelligence are above average. Wade's ball skills are evident in multiple INTs on his game film. He possesses leadership skills, special teams ability, and valuable game experience. I'm excited to see continued production from the '25 OLB. For the record, he's versatile enough to play WLB or SS in a crunch. He has participated in JMU and Pitt's camps this month and currently has one offer from Central State.</p>    <p>Rasaun is a '25 DL who has been working on his agility in the offseason, and it's been showing at college camps. His performance at D2 Seton Hill's camp was so good that he came away with an offer. At 6'3 and 250 lbs, he combines violent hands with impressive mobility. His get-off on the edge is often too quick for the average high school OT. Rasaun is skilled at using his hands on pass rushes, utilizing the dip and rip as well as pinning the elbow and ripping through. He makes plays in the backfield, causing multiple TFLs on film. His height also helps him get into throwing lanes and bat down passes. I think more D2 and FCS programs should be evaluating Hough.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZaZa412PA/status/1803550732412387717 </div></figure>   <p>Zahir is slated to be the QB1 for West Mifflin this season. The '28 signal-caller has a strong arm and can make throws on all three levels. I saw a great throw and completion on a fade route at WVU's 7-on-7 camp. He also stood out among a bunch of older, more experienced QBs at Pitt's camp. He showcases good placement and timing on his passes. Zahir's speed is impressive, running an 11.43 as an incoming freshman. His agility and QB mechanics were also above average at Under Armour's camp recently.</p>

There have been numerous athletes in June who have put themselves on the radar. Colleges are still tirelessly searching for their next recruit, and I have a few more names to add to the mix. Players like Jance Henry Jr. Jance Henry Jr. 5'8" | 195 lbs | RB Archbishop Hoban | 2027 State OH and Carter Bonner Carter Bonner 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Penn Hills | 2027 State PA were unknowns last summer but have since become highly sought after. So, who are the prospects worth watching? Some notable names to keep an eye on are Arnold Mugerwa Arnold Mugerwa 6'4" | 197 lbs | WR Richland | 2027 State PA , Kaden Ayre Kaden Ayre 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH Taylor Allderdice | 2025 State PA , Alonzo Wade Alonzo Wade 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Belle Vernon Area | 2025 State PA , RaSaun Hough RaSaun Hough 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Steel Valley | 2025 State PA , and Zahir Ismaeli Zahir Ismaeli QB Westinghouse | 2028 State PA . Now, let's take a closer look at these players.