8 Western Pa Prospects on the Radar

With the 2024 season winding down, I thought it would be a good time to highlight eight uncommitted prospects worth keeping an eye on. All of these players are upperclassmen who have shown significant potential throughout the season. Each of them plays both sides of the ball and has been a key contributor to their respective teams. Four of the eight recruits currently have Division I scholarship offers, while the other four have the potential to play at the next level and are definitely worth monitoring.    Lloyd is another standout prospect recognized here at Prep Redzone. A dynamic playmaker for the Westinghouse Bulldogs, he excels on both sides of the football. In 2024, Penn has been one of the top prospects in Pittsburgh's City League. Fast, tough, and playing with a chip on his shoulder, Lloyd is a smart safety with quick route recognition and reaction. His ability to intercept passes and return them is a constant threat to opposing quarterbacks. Offensively, Penn runs sharp routes and is effective against press-man coverage cornerbacks. His quickness in and out of breaks creates separation and allows him to gain yards after the catch. A natural competitor, Penn brings physicality at safety and agility at wide receiver. He catches the ball with strong hands and always plays through the whistle. Lloyd currently holds an offer from Miami, OH, and has drawn interest from other FBS programs.    Green is another 2025 team leader with tremendous potential for the next level. Julius possesses the athleticism and competitiveness to be a versatile two-way standout on the field. He's a skilled nickel defender who plays with intelligence and grit. He sheds blockers effectively and reacts quickly to insert himself in run support on the edge. His footwork, backpedal, and drop technique allow him to stay close to the ball when in coverage. As a ball carrier, his playmaking ability highlights his lateral quickness, sharp cuts, and burst of acceleration. Julius is a scoring threat whenever he has the football, thanks to his elusiveness. His physicality shines when he blitzes, frequently reaching the quarterback. It's clear that Julius has the potential and qualities to be a valuable special teams contributor at the college level.    Austin possesses all the qualities of a Division 1-level defensive back, which is why he is well-regarded here at Prep Redzone. At 6'3 and around 180 lbs, he has a strong frame combined with natural ability. Jaymier is versatile and likely capable of playing safety, nickel, or cornerback in college. His instincts in coverage, along with his ball skills and size, lead to interceptions and pass breakups. When he maintains a low center of gravity, he becomes more explosive and fluid. Austin also displays big-play potential as a wide receiver and kickoff returner, showcasing speed and agility that challenge opposing special teams units. In one impressive clip, he used his height to secure a contested catch after beating press coverage. Jaymier has the potential to become a standout on special teams at the collegiate level, and with another year of development, he could be an even bigger prospect in recruiting. Austin has received offers from Purdue, Marshall, and Youngstown State already.    Gans is a talented athlete who has been instrumental in leading Gateway High School. He possesses explosiveness, body control, and elusiveness when running the football. Amari shows impressive balance and strength, breaking through arm tackles with ease. He's quick and a dangerous receiving option out of the backfield. Gans' game speed makes him a threat with the ball anywhere on the field. He excels in open space, whether dropping into zone coverage or stepping up to make tackles in run support. His ball skills are evident in his ability to produce interceptions in the curl-flat area, and he consistently makes plays when returning picks. Gans has all the tools needed to be a valuable special teams contributor in college. Amari recently received his first offer from Waynesburg.    Reilly has been a consistent performer this season for Bishop Guilfoyle. With a lean build at 6'1 and 175 lbs and a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, he's a versatile two-way player and record-setting QB [player_tooltip player_id='599217' first='Chase' last='Kissell']'s go-to downfield target. Reilly displays excellent ball skills, excelling at intercepting passes and securing 50/50 jump balls on deep routes as a receiver. His skills also translate well to defense, where he poses an interception threat in coverage. He's a reliable tackler and has the athleticism to contribute on special teams at the college level. With his speed, Reilly is well-suited to play either wide receiver or free safety in college. He runs precise routes and effectively gets out of his breaks to receive the ball, showcasing his potential to be a valuable asset on both offense and special teams.    [player_tooltip player_id='388167' first='Carlos' last='Diggs'] is not an unknown on this platform; he has proven to be a legitimate FBS prospect. He's a next-level defensive back with a versatile skill set, well-regarded on the Prep Redzone platform. He's a solid, hard-working player who consistently competes. Diggs excels in press coverage, staying square during the release and matching the receiver's steps at the snap before transitioning to a strong position throughout the route. His competitiveness is evident, with numerous interceptions and pass breakups to his credit. He's particularly effective in press-bail coverage and has the speed to chase down ball carriers from the backside. Diggs is also physical at the point of attack, shedding blockers on screen plays and tackling effectively in space. A willing hitter, he has a knack for forcing fumbles. With his abilities, Diggs is well-suited for both cornerback and special teams roles. Diggs currently has scholarship offers from Marshall, Akron, and Bowling Green.    Kissell is a senior leader who has been a standout two-way player for Bishop Guilfoyle for a couple seasons. A record-breaking veteran quarterback and defensive back, he has left a lasting impact on the program. Kissell is a well-built prospect at 6'2 and 190 lbs, with 4.6 speed. He's an agile quarterback with the athleticism to pull the ball down and run when needed. He has the arm strength to be a passing threat at all levels, throws an accurate deep ball, and does an excellent job of distributing targets among his receivers. A consistent and dependable leader under center, he has a history of protecting the ball and winning games. Defensively, he's tough, instinctive, and reliable in open-field tackles, reading and reacting effectively. He also has the ability to intercept passes and turn them into scoring plays, as he did once this season. Kissell is a two-way collegiate prospect who plays the game the right way.    Stuvaints' pedigree, ability, effort, and potential make him a D1 prospect. Throughout his career at McKeesport, he has been a versatile talent, lining up this season at safety, wide receiver, cornerback, nickel, and running back. His effort and physical style stand out on defense, where he's instinctive and quick to identify plays in run support. Valdez can be a punishing hitter who's also reliable in space. His ball skills and competitiveness in coverage often lead to pass breakups and interceptions. Dez is an effective blitzer and shows agility when dropping to cover the curl-flat area at the nickel position. At safety, his fluid hips and range allow him to break on passes effectively, making him a reliable defender against mid-range throws. His natural ability to cover and play the ball makes him a strong asset in the secondary. His natural skillset will be well suited for special teams at the next level. Stuvaints recently received his first scholarship offer from Youngstown State, which I believe is a great fit. He's also on the radar of FBS programs like Penn State, though he hasn't yet received an offer.

With the 2024 season winding down, I thought it would be a good time to highlight eight uncommitted prospects worth keeping an eye on. All of these players are upperclassmen who have shown significant potential throughout the season. Each of them plays both sides of the ball and has been a key contributor to their respective teams. Four of the eight recruits currently have Division I scholarship offers, while the other four have the potential to play at the next level and are definitely worth monitoring.