Clairton’s Undefeated Prospects

The always formidable Clairton Bears are having another dominant season in 2024. Known for their WPIAL success, they are once again loaded with D1 and next-level talent. Undefeated at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play, the Bears' defense has been historically stingy, allowing only 14 points all season. So, who are the key players behind this success? Lucky for you, I'll be taking a closer look at Clairton's top collegiate prospects. The Bears are set to face Riverview at home on Saturday, where they're heavily favored to win.    Wright is a D1 level prospect with the potential to excel in college. A versatile two-way player, he also gives his all on special teams. Donte has been a utility player for the Bears, lining up at RB, WR, CB, and even contributing as a returner. He's a pure athlete with exceptional body control and burst, showcasing impressive vision and cutting ability. In one notable play, Wright hurdled a defender on a punt return before finishing in the end zone. He's also a physical blocker and tackler, adept at maintaining outside leverage against rushing plays. His natural coverage skills and speed allow him to track down ball carriers who break free. Donte currently holds one Division I offer from FBS Akron.    Drachir is a senior leader who leaves everything on the field every game. He runs with power, explosiveness, vision, balance, and strength. His short-area quickness is evident as he maneuvers through tight spaces on inside runs. With breakaway speed and a knack for setting up his blockers, Jones is elusive, rarely caught from behind or brought down by a single tackler. He leads the team in rushing with 80 carries for 881 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. At 5'10, he showcases tremendous potential as a collegiate prospect, with skills that will translate well to special teams. Jones is a threat to score any time he touches the ball, averaging 11 yards per carry.    Taris is a standout on both sides of the ball for Clairton, playing with heart and embracing competition. Like many of Clairton's top athletes, Wooding has next-level ball skills, excelling at both wide receiver and safety. He leads the Bears in receiving this season, currently averaging 21 yards per catch. Taris is a dynamic threat on jet sweeps and 50/50 balls. I was especially impressed watching the 2026 prospect break on the ball for an interception against Steel Valley earlier this season, a game in which he recorded two picks. With Division I talent, Wooding is already garnering attention, including an FBS offer from the Akron Zips. So far in 2024, he has produced 334 yards on 16 receptions, 3 TDs, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, and 25 total tackles.    The Bears' depth is the recurring theme that stands out as I analyze their team. Ruffin, an upperclassman, has steadily improved over the years. He's an explosive athlete with reliable hands, making him a nightmare to corral in the open field. Michael's lateral quickness, combined with his straight-line speed, allows him to be a threat both in the backfield and in the slot. His tremendous vision and cutting ability make him effective at gaining yards after the catch. Ruffin is elusive, with the strength and balance to break tackles. He's also a physical stalk blocker who gives maximum effort. Additionally, he's a dangerous returner, capable of taking it to the house at any time.    Correll is another exciting prospect with a high ceiling for potential. I've watched him a couple of times up close, and he always stands out. At 6'3, he moves fluidly, stemming DBs during his routes. He's a dangerous deep threat who also gets in and out of his breaks quickly. He catches passes with strong hands away from his body, showcasing above-average ball skills. Zaemear can eat up cushions fast if given free access on his releases. Defensively, he's a physical tackler in space, and his agility and athleticism when dropping into the curl/flat area is next-level. Not only does he zone drop well, but he also showed great instincts, picking off a curl route. Correll has caught 17 passes for 217 yards and scored 3 times. On defense, he has amassed 40 solo tackles, 4 TFLs, and 1 interception in 2024. He holds offers from Monmouth, Duquesne, and Lock Haven.    Clairton is blessed with a wealth of talent on both sides of the football, and players like [player_tooltip player_id='1623754' first='Jaece' last='Booker'] are a key reason the defense has been so consistently dominant. The best part about Jaece and the rest of the Bears' underclassmen is the invaluable game experience they're gaining. As a 2027 prospect, he already showcases impressive DB fundamentals, with low and controlled footwork that allows him to break quickly on the ball. Jaece excels at running the alley from the safety position and is a reliable open-field tackler who plays with urgency. He quickly sheds stalk blockers in run pursuit and is also a standout on special teams, contributing to Clairton's string of shutouts.    Thompson is unquestionably one of the senior leaders of the team. He's a consistent and reliable game manager for the Bears under center, effectively spreading the ball to his receivers without locking onto a single target. Jeff passes with anticipation and demonstrates excellent ball placement on his throws. While mobile, he prefers to extend plays to find passing opportunities rather than running the ball himself. Thompson releases his downfield throws early, giving his receivers ample time to track the ball. He remains poised under pressure and excels at making accurate throws on the run when scrambling outside the pocket. Thompson has been a major factor in Clairton's offensive success, completing 68 of 105 passes for 1,186 yards and 16 touchdowns, while adding 3 rushing touchdowns to total 19 TDs for the 2024 season. His consistency will be key if the Bears are to remain unbeaten over the next two weeks.    Brandon may be a 2028 prospect, but he plays with the maturity of someone far beyond his grade level. What immediately stood out to me was his relentless effort and physicality on special teams. His hitting ability is already impressive, and he's only going to get better. Murphy is a true Swiss army knife for the Bears, logging reps at QB, SS, OLB, WR, FS, and CB this season. He showcased his athleticism when he took a direct snap for a touchdown, outrunning the entire defense around the edge. As a freshman, Brandon is already the team's 3rd leading tackler with 63 tackles, and ranks 2nd in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (13). At 6'1 and 170 pounds, his frame will continue to develop over the next four years. Murphy has also had a fast start on the recruiting front, earning FBS offers from Syracuse and Akron.    Tahvaz has been played consistent throughout the 2024 season. The 2026 prospect stands at 6'2 and nearly 200 pounds, with a sufficient understanding of the defensive end position. He's quick off the ball and uses his violent hands effectively in hand-fighting battles. Armstrong plays with physicality and maintains great tempo while tracking the ball carrier. He consistently disrupts plays in the backfield, leading the team with 8 sacks. His ability to generate pressure as a pass-rusher has given the secondary more opportunities to make plays by hurrying the quarterback. Tahvaz is also a key contributor on special teams, approaching every rep with intensity. He has been a significant factor in Clairton's historically dominant defense.    Darren is another underclassman who has emerged as a standout on one of the best defenses in the WPIAL. Though slightly undersized at linebacker right now at 5'11 and 160 pounds, his frame will continue to develop. He reads his keys well and consistently pursues the football from sideline to sideline. Darren's instinct for finding the ball puts him in the thick of the action, where he regularly showcases his hitting ability. The freshman leads the team with 70 total tackles, and his confidence grows with every game. Darren is active both inside and outside the box, contributing 8 tackles for loss and 1 sack for the Bears this season.    Deon Pomphey is another two-way athlete who, like the rest of the Bears' squad, plays with a sense of urgency. He's an explosive player who consistently gives great effort. Deon is fast and dangerous in the open field, with the speed to hit the edge and score up the sideline. On defense, he moves laterally with ease, tracking rushing plays effectively. He defeats blockers quickly and is sharp at reading his keys. A solid tackler in space, Deon has recorded 62 tackles in 2024, making him the fourth-leading tackler on Clairton's highly regarded defense. With 177 all-purpose yards and 6 touchdowns on offense, Deon shows significant potential to play at the collegiate level.

The always formidable Clairton Bears are having another dominant season in 2024. Known for their WPIAL success, they are once again loaded with D1 and next-level talent. Undefeated at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play, the Bears' defense has been historically stingy, allowing only 14 points all season. So, who are the key players behind this success? Lucky for you, I'll be taking a closer look at Clairton's top collegiate prospects. The Bears are set to face Riverview at home on Saturday, where they're heavily favored to win.