2026 Prospects Who Elevated their Recruiting Stock Down The Shore

<p class="text-gray-700">In a game where starting quarterback Yeboa Cobbold exited early, junior [player_tooltip player_id='646730' first='Darren' last='Jackson'] was still able to contribute quality two-way reps in a loss to Father Judge. I think of Jackson as a potential FBS outside linebacker, thus his high ranking. Jackson serves the OLB role well on this Lansdale defense, yet he also serves a quality role at tight end as well. Jackson was serviceable at OLB in this one, great pursuit to the football, was working in space and manning zones while aligned in the slot. Not too much in terms of TFLs but I witnessed Jackson running around the field to make sure his presence was felt on defense. Jackson came up huge offensively, however. About 5/6 catches on the day, looked great after the catch, the kid sports a long-limbed build, one that can churn up positive yards quickly if you give him a chance. Cobbold hit Jackson in an improv situation, the junior quarterback finding Jackson downfield for an easy score that put LC up at the time. Jackson was still able to produce despite a quarterback change. LC's offense staggered a bit without Cobbold creating behind the LOS, yet Jackson was able to reel in catches still and provide YAC. This is a prospect whose phone should be blowing up. Currently holds one offer out of Kent State. </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/PRZPAvic/status/1829905539826171954 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Two-way performance. [player_tooltip player_id='1155998' first='Michael' last='McKee'] was stationed at corner and was tasked with the almost impossible job of bottling up Syracuse commit [player_tooltip player_id='399252' first='Ziyyon' last='Bredell']. Where McKee shined and potentially earned himself some money was on the other side of the football. Five catches on the day, three scores in a game that almost got out of hand. Germantown Academy was behind the eight-ball for a good part of this game, yet the staff insisted on establishing a running game. Once Germantown was forced to open up the field and throw the ball, Stearn and McKee began to connect for big plays. McKee reeled in a pass on a slant while being draped by a defender, a close-quarters catch that shows off his hand-eye coordination. Another touchdown came on what looked like a corner route ran by McKee while in trips formation. McKee reeled in the catch why flashing his toe-dragging skills for an impressive score, his second of the game. Again, you can see the body control and coordination this kid is working with. McKee would get open for another score with less than a minute left in the ball game. Huge game against a Lincoln defense that was on point for the most part. McKee also provided a spark via kick return. </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/PRZPAvic/status/1829586848865476937 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='647373' first='James' last='Webb Jr.'] started the game against Father Judge with an interception out of the gate, immediate impact when targeted. Stationed at corner for the majority of the game, shut down many passing lane opportunities for opposing quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1257186' first='Sean' last='Long']. Father Judge would proceed to throw away from Webb and move the ball well. Webb's FJ tape isn't going to drop the jaws of potential suitors, yet I think the young man is still being a bit under-recruited. I've seen Webb work in camp settings, 7v7 events, in pads, the kid looks the part on tape and in terms of build. A verified 6'2, ideal Division One corner frame. I'll be back to plugging his name a bit. </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/PRZPAvic/status/1829899842341974478 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">This is the third time in as many years I've witnessed [player_tooltip player_id='648153' first='Jackson' last='Melconian'] come into a Malvern Prep game and provide a tangible spark. I'm not going to speak on Melconian's potential in the recruiting world just yet, I want a full season's worth of tape on Hudl. That being said, he's much better than his current rank suggests. He'll be seeing a likely boost a couple of months from now, especially if he continues to perform like this. A [player_tooltip player_id='386145' first='Jack' last='Leuthe'] pick-six would increase the LaSalle lead to 21-3, Melconian then led the comeback charge that forced LaSalle to keep focus. Melconian would lead a drive inside of the 20-yard line, a drive culminating in a [player_tooltip player_id='599447' first='Jake' last='Bauer'] score after some great improvisational skills behind the LOS. Fantastic on the move, as accurate as any in terms of throwing when off-platform. Clutch beyond his years, lost count of the number of 3rd/4th down conversions Melconian converted on after the Friars went down 21-3. An unreal scoop and score would by Pellicciotta would have Malvern prep within 4. Melconian would again drive Malvern Prep down the field with clutch throw after clutch throw. Said drive would sadly end in an interception, yet I can't help but be impressed with the junior quarterback's mental makeup. I know the Friar coaching staff would agree. Credit to the Explorer defense too, this team is loaded with FBS talent, said talent hardly phased Melconian from a decision-making perspective. </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/PRZPAvic/status/1829665119346802689 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='646687' first='John-Patrick' last='Oates'] looks better than ever after watching him live against Malvern Prep. Build is beginning to fill out. Holds an offer out of Howard University, yet I don't expect that to be his lone offer for much longer. [player_tooltip player_id='284126' first='Gavin' last='Sidwar'] likes to throw the ball to the open man, he's a field scanner, meaning [player_tooltip player_id='388154' first='Joey' last='O'Brien'] and [player_tooltip player_id='386141' first='Julian' last='McFadden'] are going to get theirs, along with other names. That being said JP Oates was on the receiving end of a couple of big plays. Oates is proving he can be a serious third option on money downs if O'Brien and McFadden aren't available. These situations are hard to come by, yet Oates is proving he's ready to be counted on. This bodes well for his future, both through a production and recruiting lens. This likely won't be Oates best game on tape, yet I feel comfortable plugging his name even further. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Tough to raise your stock further if you're [player_tooltip player_id='402474' first='Xavier' last='Stearn']. I've gone on record numerous times, lauding all things Stearn, been doing so for almost two years now. Thankfully, Stearn is making me look good in terms of evaluation. Lincoln had Germantown on the ropes for the majority of this football game, it took a bit of time for the passing game to open up, but once it did, Germantown was able to score 27 points in one half. Stearn, this credit to his offensive line, can tear apart a defense when given the opportunity. Stearn can turn a game into a 7v7 event when he's seeing the field properly. Fantastic locater, a fantastic decision-maker, it's great seeing Stearn show more command and confidence now that he's no longer an underclassman. I witnessed him direct his teammates, I witnessed him work officials for calls, even witnessed Stearn not shy away from opposing chatter from Lincoln. The young man is growing up and is proving our ranking to be a good one. Currently holds one offer from the University of Pennsylvania. </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/RPOrecruits/status/1829544961257382322 </div></figure>