Shining a Light on 10 Western Pa Prospects

With the conclusion of the regular season and the playoffs underway, I want to highlight some talent from Western Pennsylvania. Each of these athletes has been integral in providing leadership and tangible production for their respective teams. These players are two-way playmakers and substantial collegiate prospects. It will be intriguing to see who continues their success in the postseason. Now that I've covered that, let's analyze these 10 collegiate recruits.    Timmons is a high-level talent who has been a standout in 2024. He possesses natural instincts and excellent route recognition, paired with good size for the collegiate level at 5'11, 175 lbs, and impressive quickness. Timmons exhibits next-level ball skills on both offense and defense. He consistently gains yards after the catch (YAC) and runs precise routes. His speed enables him to quickly close the gap on defenders, helping him create separation at his break points. As a deep threat, Timmons has the potential to score at any moment. Defensively, he excels in both press and off-man coverage, and his low pad level allows him to break on the ball quickly. His combination of ball skills and natural talent makes him a pick-six threat in coverage. Additionally, Timmons shows all the qualities of a reliable special teams player at the Division I level. The 2026 prospect has already received FBS offers from West Virginia, Toledo, and Eastern Michigan.    Ahmed is an underclassman prospect with clear big-league potential. Standing at 6'3 and 175 lbs, he already possesses the size and confidence of an FBS-level player. His fluidity in releasing against press coverage is impressive for such a young talent. Ahmed boasts a solid catch radius and consistently catches the football away from his body. He excels at finding gaps in zone coverage and settling in for receptions, proving himself to be a reliable possession receiver with above-average playmaking ability. His speed is poised to improve over the next three years, making him an even more dangerous downfield threat. Ahmed runs sharp routes and combines his size and speed to stretch the field. As a returner, he's capable of flipping field position with a single return. The productive sophomore recently earned his first FBS offer from Miami (OH).    Yates is a senior prospect who hasn't received much attention due to Sto-Rox's challenging season. Standing at 6'0 and 200 lbs, he brings a physical presence to the field. His versatility is evident as he lines up at multiple positions, including MLB, DL, DE, OLB, RB, and QB for the Vikings. Shaiky is a powerful tackler with the athleticism to cover sideline to sideline. He excels as a blitzer, especially when rushing from the defensive end or linebacker positions. Yates reacts quickly in run defense and is a reliable tackler in one-on-one situations. Offensively, he displays speed and lateral agility, consistently falling forward for extra yards when running the ball. His physicality and low pad level help him effectively take on blockers. Shaiky has the potential to play WLB or OLB at the collegiate level, and he possesses the skills to make a significant impact on special teams as well.    Gavin has been a key player in Hollidaysburg's impressive 9-1 regular season. A two-way standout and team leader, he consistently displays big-time playmaking ability on both offense and defense. Bell is a strong collegiate prospect with solid size at 6'2 and 195 lbs. His skills are especially notable at the free safety position, where he excels with strong route recognition, fluid hips, and solid DB footwork, making him a rangy presence in the secondary. Gavin's ball skills are next-level, as evidenced by his 8 interceptions, which currently rank second in Pennsylvania. On offense, he's a precise route-runner and a dangerous deep threat, capable of securing 50/50 balls and eluding defenders after the catch. He wrapped up the regular season with 41 receptions for 617 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Additionally, Gavin contributes effectively as a returner on special teams.    DJ is a prospect with tremendous next-level potential. He's a natural playmaker on the field, showcasing collegiate-level ball skills as both a defensive back and slot receiver. DJ's speed and explosive acceleration allow him to shift into another gear when the ball is in the air. As a wide receiver, he's dangerous when given free access on the release, often running past defenders on five-step routes. Warren is quick in and out of his breaks and consistently catches passes with soft hands. After the catch, he's a threat to score on any play. Defensively, he's a natural in man coverage, recording 5 interceptions and 9 pass breakups in 2024. His 96-yard pick-six this season demonstrated his impressive anticipation and return ability. DJ finished the regular season with 53 receptions, 898 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. As a 2026 three-sport athlete, he has the skills to play scholarship-level football. Currently, DJ remains unoffered on the recruiting front.    Trybus is a versatile two-way player who has been the go-to playmaker for Cambria Heights. His adaptability and skillful execution in various roles make him a key asset to his team. Trey has taken on multiple responsibilities this season, playing as a wingback, tailback, wide receiver, and defensive back. He has proven to be a game-changer with his ability to break open plays at any moment. His shifty running style allows him to set up lanes effectively before accelerating past defenders, while his speed and ball-tracking skills shine on downfield throws. At wide receiver, Trey displays reliable hands and the ability to gain yards after the catch. Defensively, he's capable of intercepting passes and making plays in coverage. He stands out as a return specialist, taking a punt back for a touchdown in the last two weeks. Trey's contributions are a significant factor in Cambria Heights' undefeated record. Although he is currently unoffered, he recently took an unofficial game-day visit to Saint Francis, the D1 FCS program that upset FBS Kent State earlier this season.    Sabatucci has dealt with a nagging injury this season, which limited his defensive reps throughout the year. Despite this setback, TJ was still able to demonstrate his FBS-level talent on both sides of the ball. At 6'3 and 225 lbs, he possesses the size and physicality needed for the next level. As an attached tight end, his blocking ability is consistently P4 caliber. TJ also has impressive agility for his size and has shown catch-and-run skills on film. He's a reliable red-zone target with soft hands, capable of making tough catches in traffic. On defense, his quick get-off, hand violence, and effective dip-and-rip technique make him a formidable pass-rusher. TJ excels at locking out blockers before shedding them at the point of attack. Earlier this season, he even showcased his athleticism by dropping into zone coverage and returning an interception. Sabatucci is certainly versatile enough to contribute on special teams at the D1 level. He currently holds a scholarship offer from FBS Miami (OH), with more likely to follow.    Burnett is one of the most underappreciated senior prospects in Western Pennsylvania. At 6'4 and 265 lbs, he has the adequate collegiate size and a well-proportioned build for DT. Explosive and powerful off the snap, he consistently drives offensive linemen into the backfield, often resulting in tackles for loss. As an interior pass rusher, Burnett excels with violent hand techniques and a quick, decisive get-off. His ability to lock out offensive linemen and his short-area quickness frequently lead to quarterback hurries. Burnett's relentless motor allows him to effectively pursue ball carriers, and his strength is evident when splitting double teams without yielding ground. Despite his standout performances, Burnett remains one of the top unoffered defensive line prospects in the WPIAL.    Like many of the prospects highlighted, [player_tooltip player_id='1156214' first='Andy' last='Tatsch'] is a well-known athlete at Prep Redzone. The 2026 safety has been highly impressive this season and shows P4-level ability, much like his older brother, [player_tooltip player_id='598735' first='Alex' last='Tatsch'], a PSU Nittany Lions commit. Andy is an intelligent, aggressive playmaker with solid measurables for the secondary. He demonstrates excellent footwork and reacts quickly to make plays on the ball. With strong ball skills, he's capable of producing pick-sixes and making game-changing defensive plays. Andy is also a hard-hitting defender, frequently dislodging the ball on contact in the middle of the field. His range in coverage and physicality when running the alley make him a force to reckon with. Paired with [player_tooltip player_id='1131852' first='John' last='Wetzel'], a Marshall commit, the two form a formidable safety duo in two-high coverage looks. Andy's athleticism and competitive spirit also shine through at wide receiver and on special teams. Currently, he holds two FBS offers from West Virginia and Akron.    Mason is by far the youngest among the highlighted collegiate prospects. He has physically developed well for a freshman specialist, standing at 5'10 and weighing 185 lbs. Jarelle displays impressive athleticism when running the football, especially for his age. He plays with a low pad level at safety, enabling him to react quickly to plays on the field. Jarelle has natural man coverage ability, and his ball skills allowed him to finish the 2024 season with three interceptions and two pass breakups. He isn't afraid to run the alley and shows solid open-field tackling skills. Jarelle is competitive in coverage and possesses good route recognition instincts. His technique and speed are promising, and I believe he will continue to improve over time. I also expect that Jarelle will develop into a standout on special teams throughout his career.

With the conclusion of the regular season and the playoffs underway, I want to highlight some talent from Western Pennsylvania. Each of these athletes has been integral in providing leadership and tangible production for their respective teams. These players are two-way playmakers and substantial collegiate prospects. It will be intriguing to see who continues their success in the postseason. Now that I've covered that, let's analyze these 10 collegiate recruits.