PRZPA Team Preview, Thomas Jefferson

<p>Thomas Jefferson had a playoff season last year before being eliminated by Montour in the second round. The Jaguars had a solid showing in '23, finishing with an overall record of 9-3 and going 4-2 in conference play. TJ lost some of its firepower from a season ago with the graduation of key players [player_tooltip player_id='1088880' first='Sean' last='Sullivan'], Brody Evans, Kameron Eggerton, and Aidan Whalen. The good news for the Jaguars is that they boast several collegiate-level prospects, including Pitt commit [player_tooltip player_id='1317069' first='Shep' last='Turk'], QB1 [player_tooltip player_id='255088' first='Luke' last='Kosko'], [player_tooltip player_id='598940' first='Brayden' last='White'], Kooper Kamberis, Matt Martinis, and [player_tooltip player_id='599153' first='Justin' last='Schmidt']. Thomas Jefferson opens the season against Baldwin HS on August 23 at 1:00 pm. The Jaguars will look to avenge last year's conference loss to McKeesport in week three on September 6.</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/TurkShep/status/1790146751124382098 </div></figure>   <p>One of TJ's most formidable returning players is Pitt commit [player_tooltip player_id='1317069' first='Shep' last='Turk']. Standing at 6'5 and 275 lbs, he's an FBS offensive lineman with an impressive wingspan. Turk is an aggressive finisher who moves lightly on his feet. His strong punch and ability to overpower defenders at the point of attack make him a standout. He excels in pass protection, thanks to his kick-slide and long reach. His physicality in run blocking, combined with his fierce demeanor, usually spells trouble for defensive linemen. Turk's valuable game experience makes him an invaluable enforcer on the field. The senior blue chip selected the Panthers over offers from UMass, Eastern Michigan, Temple, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Kent State, Bucknell, Maine, Lehigh, Central Michigan, Stony Brook, Duquesne, Army, and Monmouth.</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/WPIAL_Insider/status/1793393002389389768 </div></figure>   <p>Kosko is a two-sport standout that TJ is fortunate to have leading their offense. He has the build of an FBS quarterback, standing at 6'4 and weighing 205 lbs. He recently committed to the University of Cincinnati to play baseball. As a former Bearcat football staff member, I hope he considers playing both sports because he's a special talent. I was impressed watching him in person last year, and he caught my eye again on Sunday at the 2Tenths Top 150 Camp. He's mobile with a naturally strong arm and can throw with both touch and velocity accurately. Luke's placement on out-breaking routes and downfield throws is of a D1 level. I am also a fan of the way he executes play-action and rollout passes. Kosko finished last year 67/116 for 1,057 yards, throwing 9 TDs with 6 interceptions after sharing QB duties with graduate Brody Evans. He had FBS offers to play QB at Marshall and Charlotte. It's clear that TJ will only go as far as [player_tooltip player_id='255088' first='Luke' last='Kosko'] can lead them in 2024.</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/paelite7v7/status/1752082758132719690?s=46&t=Z9HVsIfxlYpUmBtFJHGC4g </div></figure>   <p>White will be the top target now that [player_tooltip player_id='1088880' first='Sean' last='Sullivan'] has graduated. I got a chance to watch him work at the 2Tenths Top 150 camp and saw his potential firsthand. He has good speed off the line and excellent body control when changing directions. His ball skills are impressive, and he possesses adequate leaping ability. At 6'0 and 175 lbs, he's big enough to break tackles and get physical with smaller DBs. I liked his aggressive nature on defense, playing both cornerback and safety last season. He's a solid man defender, whether pressing or playing off-man. He was TJ's second favorite target last season, finishing with 23 grabs for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns. His most impressive stat was his 13.9 yards per catch average. No doubt White and Kosko will need to establish good chemistry early this season. <br></p>    <p>Janosko will be one of the leaders in the trenches this year alongside Pitt commit [player_tooltip player_id='1317069' first='Shep' last='Turk']. He's a skilled combo blocker with the capability to take defensive linemen to the turf. Agile and athletic, he excelled last season in lead blocking on screens and getting his man at the second level. Luke has a solid punch, but what stands out on film is his effort in finishing plays. He is an effective cut blocker and a reliable pass protector. His footwork and agility consistently allow him to protect the quarterback. Janosko will definitely be relied on for consistency on the O-line.</p>    <p>Martinis is one of the top defensive producers returning for Thomas Jefferson. The senior LB/RB finished last season with 86 total tackles, 67 of which were unassisted, along with a sack and multiple hurries as seen on his film. He's athletic and moves well laterally, effectively tracking stretch and outside-breaking plays. Matt is a strong blitzer and a reliable tackler both in space and inside the box. His physicality is evident on film, notably when he pancakes linebackers while lead blocking at fullback. Martinis has been receiving considerable attention from Case Western's football program on the recruiting front.</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/kooper_kamberis/status/1795631895839121723 </div></figure>   <p>Kooper is a prospect with a high ceiling who has yet to fully realize his potential. Standing at 6'4 and weighing 225 lbs, he has a collegiate build suitable for both TE and DE positions. As an aggressive run-blocking TE, he excelled in blocking while attached to the line in 2023. With his long reach and physicality, he can best DEs and LBs at the line of scrimmage. I'm particularly intrigued to see if Kamberis will be more involved in the passing attack in 2024. Although he is on the radar of a few D1 programs, he currently has one offer from D2 Clarion in the PSAC. If TJ can effectively incorporate Kamberis into the passing game, defenses will be genuinely outmatched against him.</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/JustinSchmidt4/status/1813268952488825291 </div></figure>   <p>Schmidt has been a significant contributor over the last few seasons for Thomas Jefferson. Standing at 6'1 and weighing 220 lbs, he has started as a DT/OT for the past three seasons. For TJ to reach the postseason again, Justin will need to elevate his game in the trenches. His greatest talent lies in his long-snapping ability, and his physicality as a DT will serve him well as a collegiate long-snapper. This summer, he has attended various prospect camps to showcase his long-snapping skills. Justin currently holds an offer from D2 Central State to play football.</p>

Thomas Jefferson had a playoff season last year before being eliminated by Montour in the second round. The Jaguars had a solid showing in '23, finishing with an overall record of 9-3 and going 4-2 in conference play. TJ lost some of its firepower from a season ago with the graduation of key players Sean Sullivan Sean Sullivan 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Council Rock South | 2025 PA , Brody Evans, Kameron Eggerton, and Aidan Whalen. The good news for the Jaguars is that they boast several collegiate-level prospects, including Pitt commit Shep Turk Shep Turk 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Thomas Jefferson | 2025 State PA , QB1 Luke Kosko Luke Kosko 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB Thomas Jefferson | 2025 State PA , Brayden White Brayden White 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Thomas Jefferson | 2025 State PA , Kooper Kamberis, Matt Martinis, and Justin Schmidt Justin Schmidt 6'0" | 210 lbs | LS Thomas Jefferson | 2025 PA . Thomas Jefferson opens the season against Baldwin HS on August 23 at 1:00 pm. The Jaguars will look to avenge last year's conference loss to McKeesport in week three on September 6.