PRZPA Team Preview, Cheltenham Panthers

<p class="text-gray-700">I'm personally expecting big things out of a top-ranked freshman heading into his sophomore season over at Cheltenham. The Panthers are chock full of young rising stars, I begin this team preview with offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='953137' first='Justin' last='Cowans'], who ranks inside the top ten at his position post freshman tape. Said freshman tape is a bit limited, just two minutes long yet enough to impress me. Serious size to mold and develop, [player_tooltip player_id='953137' first='Justin' last='Cowans'] provides a frame standing at 6'2, weighing in at 290+ pounds. Cowans can be witnessed aligning at right guard and bullying smaller IDLs who can't match his pound-for-pound power. Two points of contact witnessed through many reps, Cowans can pin or down block his first man and work up to linebackers with ease, has some hunter to his name. Wouldn't be surprised to find out Cheltenham has Cowans working on transitioning to tackle out of necessity, would do wonders for his stock too. An early offer candidate.</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/Justin__Cowans/status/1803854061956972891 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Moving from right guard to left, we come to [player_tooltip player_id='1155906' first='Shareef' last='Roberts'], who ranks as a middle-of-the-pack IOL, albeit a vital piece to the Cheltenham puzzle. Roberts' tape is missing violence and attitude in terms of finishing reps. Roberts can certainly get the job done, he can locate his assignment on the fly, he has a more than desirable build, Roberts is hard to displace, yet is lacking punishing power right now. I'm basing all of this off of sophomore tape, Roberts can easily work his tail off behind the scenes and come out paving run-blocking lanes this Fall, so long as he put the work in the weight room. A more refined Roberts, combined with a rising star in Cowans, could have Cheltenham running the ball well regardless of who is toting the rock. </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/Reef72roberts/status/1722008680931963038 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='941130' first='Jared' last='Higginbotham'] will be a likely weapon at Cheltenham's disposal. Small in stature yet was given goal-line and red-zone reps last Fall as a sophomore. The staff over at Cheltenham clearly have trust in Higginbotham to tote the rock between the tackles if necessary. A young man who is a bit tougher than his build suggests, his tape proves it. Can be utilized in punt and kick return opportunities should they arise. Has been witnessed being split out in trip sets, the more opportunities to get JH in open space the better, he can churn up yards downfield in a hurry. The reps at back are great, yet I prefer seeing JH catch the ball in the open field. Screens, swings, outs to the flat, you can get downfield in a hurry utilizing this kid. Here's to hoping he jumps up our ranks after we see some junior tape. </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/Jared_newera0/status/1815412572281287088 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1118424' first='Shamar' last='Barksdale'] will likely serve a significant role on the team based on his experience alone. Tape has Barksdale stationed in four different positions after four reps. Barksdale is ranked as a back but his presence will likely be felt at inside backer. Can take handoffs from gun sets, can serve an H-back role in creative sets, will serve a role on special teams, yet his primary will likely be inside the front-seven. I recommend shaving off any "slow-mo" reps on tape. Look for Barksdale to make three-four pivotal plays each game. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Stehman's lone varsity reps come as the kicker and punter for the Panthers. Stehman's junior varsity tape has him making some plays, but he shouldn't be ranked based solely on kicking reps. I'll have my eye on Stehman's role as an incoming sophomore on a team loaded with potential. I'm too far out of the loop to project what significant role, if any, Stehman could play as an underclassman next Fall. Excited to see what he, as well as others, might have in store. I do imagine his kick return abilities could be utilized easily, kid is a good athlete in space, smart enough to take JV QB reps too. </p>    <p></p>   <p></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cheltenham has deployed some great defensive linemen over the span of five-six years, I'm leaning towards [player_tooltip player_id='953135' first='Kyle' last='Montgomery'] being the next EDGE threat wearing blue and yellow. 6'2, 225 pounds, a frame that can still fit another 10-15 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='953135' first='Kyle' last='Montgomery'] currently ranks as the highest-rated Panther on roster, the young man's athletic potential and room to grow in maturity (body) has me aligning towards Montgomery being a special EDGE/TE hybrid. I hope someone is in his corner teaching him all the tools necessary to combat some of the best tackles District One has to offer. I hope to find validation through Montgomery's tape, which shows an occasional swiping of the hands, said tape shows off inside and outside moves from a two-point stance. A massive jump in production would have MAC schools clamoring for positioning in no time, this being my personal opinion. 2027 rankings are being updated as we speak, Montgomery won't be losing his spot among the class's best.</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/kylemont11/status/1757914398453317887 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='953135' first='Kyle' last='Montgomery'] might stand as the highest-ranking recruit at Cheltenham, yet we can all easily say the recruit garnering the most deserved attention, the recruit putting work to film to earn FBS offers, is IDL [player_tooltip player_id='940305' first='Elijah' last='Burnley']. The best build the Panthers will deploy this season. A well-distributed 275 pounds on a 6'4 frame. For back-to-back ranking updates, Burnley landed inside the top ten at his position statewide, with only eight 2026 EDGE/IDLs whose tapes warranted a higher grade. Burnley is headed into his junior year at Cheltenham, I find it unlikely that he won't see time on both sides of the ball. Burnely's potential at tackle, albeit likely raw, might be a project with results too good to pass up. Burnely beside Cowan on offense, Burnley beside Montgomery on defense, these tandems alone are likely enough to keep the Panthers in ball games this Fall. Burnely currently holds offers out of Kent State and Akron, two programs that have recently done a better job recruiting the Philadelphia area.</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/EliBurnley99/status/1757163990092788002 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Here's an intriguing piece to the puzzle on defense. I spoke briefly about Barksdale's claim of a 2024 inside backer spot, I'd imagine junior [player_tooltip player_id='1279563' first='Sean' last='Alston'] will have a claim to another front-seven spot based on the sophomore tape provided. Chiseled out frame, looks to carry his 190-pound physique well. Love his nose for turnovers, Cheltenham can count on this motor and hustle to the football to lead to potential turnovers. Alston returned a blocked kick for a TD last Fall, recovered a fumble, recorded an interception, the young man is active and aware of his surroundings. If Alston can develop a better feel for the position in terms of stuffing runs before they happen, he'd be a name I'd throw to PSAC schools without a worry. Can count on Alston wowing coaches multiple times a game based solely on effort at times. Fun player to watch.</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/Shizz1kk/status/1781100198896218342 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1156159' first='Jordan' last='Elmine'] might be the prospect the coaching staff leans on to stuff runs in their tracks. Now listing at 6'0, 215, no matter where Elmine weighs in, his tape suggests he's going to be the gap-plugger Cheltenham desperately needs if Burnley, Brooks, and Montgomery can't get home. Much of Elmine's tape shows off quality reps on special teams, so I hope I'm not off base when considering he might see a move up the depth chart this coming Fall, we'll have to see what his role entails. Reading the article in full, you can get an idea of the type of front Cheltenham could deploy on Friday nights. </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/5jordan_/status/1809629072806314371 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Excited for this young man's senior year over at Cheltenham. I was skeptical of his game for too long, Brooks now has eyes directly on him, there is no surprising the PRZ crew anymore. That comes with some added pressure. Brooks will be the lone senior that we are expecting to serve a starting role along the defensive line, his voice should boom a bit louder in the defensive huddle than it has in the past. There's a ton of young talent surrounding Brooks at all three levels, his experience and leadership skills will likely prove invaluable at some point this season. Brooks has come to PRZ camps and proven he can win against Division One talent, despite what many, like myself, thought of him beforehand. Brooks proved to FCS and D2 schools alike that he can hold his own. Hopefully, Brooks can keep the momentum rolling in a positive manner now that we head into August. A great GPA, a great attitude toward all things football, we want to see Brooks hold down the A & B gaps and prove all of his offseason work was worth it. We think he'll do just that. </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/IsaiahBrooks25/status/1781492331453034582 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1156212' first='Logan' last='Brown']'s current sophomore tape lacks luster, yet I stress that Brown could blossom and provide better junior tape so long as he flips a ton of off-season work into real in-season production. A frequent camper who has certainly held his own against good competition, Brown is well-positioned to prove our current rank wrong, he could see his role expand whether it be at box safety or corner. Brown is the first ATH on this list that is likely to play in the secondary, so opportunities to show out will be plentiful. Here's what my colleague Pat Wieder said about Brown after our event. </p>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1156212' first='Logan' last='Brown']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/logan-brown-5/">LOGAN<strong>BROWN</strong>5'10" | 170 lbs | DBCheltenham | 2026<strong>#600</strong>STATE<strong>PA</strong></a><a></a></em><em> is someone I saw at the Prep Redzone showcase. I remember being impressed with him at the showcase and then I went back and looked at his film and came away impressed with his ability to play as a defensive back. He has position versatility. He can play as a cornerback, strong safety, and as a free safety. As a cornerback, he shows good coverage skills. As a strong safety, he does a good job of coming upfield and making tackles in the open field. He isn't afraid to stick his nose inside the make tackles in the run game. As a free safety, he has good deep coverage skills. Brown has good skill set and is a legit defensive back.</em></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/THEE_LOGANBROWN/status/1800209427364270334 </div></figure> </blockquote>     <p class="text-gray-700">We are all waiting to see what [player_tooltip player_id='941111' first='Alistair' last='Reese'] has in store. Each ranking update, (three in a row), has me looking back to Reese's Hudl in hopes there is something substantial to work with. One minute's worth of sophomore tape can't justify a ranking, one minute of career highlights as an incoming junior won't cut it either. Reese's size certainly intrigues, standing at 6'3, 218 pounds. We at PRZ hope Reese can put together something worth watching, so we can accurately represent him on our site. For now, Reese stays on our WL. Here's what [player_tooltip player_id='1539423' first='Pat' last='Weider'] had to say in a recent post. </p>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p><em>Allistair Reese is a talented defensive player who played as a defensive end last year for Cheltenham. As a defensive end, he showed several elite skills. He does a good job of getting his hands on offensive tackles and ripping through them. He shows a good ability to keep content and then read the play. He is good at staying home in the run game and making the tackle when it comes his way. Reese is excellent at pass rush. He has the speed and athleticism to chase plays all over the field. Reese could see the field as a linebacker next season or he could be used still as a defensive end. In either place, he will be a good player.</em></p> </blockquote>    <p>There are a number of unranked prospects out of Cheltenham I'll have my eye on moving forward. On top of unranked upperclassmen, there are a number of 2027s I'll be watching for expanded roles. [player_tooltip player_id='1537052' first='Michael' last='Dunn'] is a wideout who I'll write about in the future. [player_tooltip player_id='1181607' first='Jermaine' last='Williams'], Lawrence Russell, and Brian Palmer King are 2027s who have caught my eye, Russell with an intriguing build I might add. [player_tooltip player_id='1623993' first='Jabriel' last='Epps'] and Jaden Walker, formerly out of Northeast HS, are also names on radar. What's a bit more intriguing are the potential solutions at quarterback. There is a 6'4, 180-pound QB listed on Hudl who is an incoming freshman by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='1644504' first='Victor' last='Ezeukwu'], unsure of what role this young man could play. Arthur Gordon and previously mentioned Palmer King are other QBs on roster currently.</p>