NYC 2026 Standouts: Staten Island

There are a ton of prospects from Staten Island after another very strong year of football from the teams from Staten Island. There were some great private vs public matchups on the island, in addition to some quality out-of-state opponents traveling to the Island to take on some of the top teams. A good mix of PSAL and CHSFL talent comes from the Island, and even with a ton of Staten Island guys already on and headed to Wagner, there have been a few major CFB contributors around the country from Staten Island.   I feature just one guy per team here, all class of 2026 with some more in the future highlighting whole teams or particular classes on the way. I wanted to share the Staten Island love a bit instead of going heavy on any of the top SI teams.    I saw Dalgin at PrepRedzone Camp - he was the biggest OL there, with the rest of the group coming in around the 6'4 range. His length is borderline elite, and his measurables check off a box to play the tackle positions.   When it comes to his movement skills, Dalgin does need to develop quicker feet, which will probably come along with some refinement to his build and maximize his athletic potential (Something that probably won't happen until YR2/3 of college). He actually looks really solid in pass pro on tape; fundamentally, his lower body and upper body work together. He executes his first few steps at a high level, showing he adjusts his depth against certain EDGE positioning. He uses his hands well on tape, and for a player 6'6, blocking guys 6'2, he does not really get stuck playing high.   We need to see more explosive movements and more violent punches, but as far as 6'6 OL goes, there is a lot to like here.     Serate was the heart of a Curtis defense that was one of the best in the PSAL this season, leading to the PSAL title and the end of Erasmus Hall's 5-Year Run - Serate is a player who has a lot of varsity reps to his name being a key part of Curtis' D-Line since his freshman season.   I saw Curtis play early in person and got a couple of games via Sage Media Solutions - Serate is a good-sized prospect in person - he probably fits best as a 3-tech at the next level. Serate has great use of hands at the point of attack. He shows solid get-off and the ability to knock some guys back, but his hand placement and ability to shed blocks are what sets him apart. I like his film, I think a live evaluation made me like him more as a prospect, as you see some of his hand usage better in person.     Thompson is another player I saw early on in the season if my notes and memory correct me he had a knee brace on vs Bishop Moore a very good catholic school from Florida - I thought he had a solid game but the tape shows a complete picture when you see him against other competition in the PSAL.   Thompson is an EDGE/OLB body type who plays more of a DE position for Tottenville - I really like his length off the edge, he uses his arms as a pass rusher well with a strong rip move you see on tape. You don't see a lot of reps where his bend can be on display but there are some flashes of good bend as a pass rusher as well. Right now, I view him as a pass rush specialist. We need to see more tape showing good pad level and leverage against the run, but there are a lot of promising traits in his game.     Cromwell is an athlete who does not get a ton of outside help from his team on gameday, pretty clear he is the guy for Port Richmond, and while I saw them take a tough loss to Lincoln this year, Cromwell's athleticism stands out in a lot of his PSAL games.   I thought he had some really good reps on tape, especially against a talented Canarsie team - his athleticism is what stands out, I think you can debate his best position at the next level - I have him at 6'2 160, I do think that isn't quite accurate probably more of a 6'1 180 range based on his body type.   He was an All-City DB as a Sophomore. I really like his offensive tape at RB/WR as a Junior, and he has done it all while being on a team without much around him.   Athleticism stands out here, and he is undoubtedly one of the best in the PSAL and Staten Island.     Ustun was a player I did not know about until he took the WR1 responsibilities early in the season for Monsignor Farrell. Farrell had a few injuries to skill players early on, and Ustun was a big reason the offense could move the ball through the air against out-of-state Bishop Hendrickson.   Ustun shows some solid route running on tape, but his catch radius and ability to make tough catches in coverage down the field stood out. I was a fan of his movement ability and athleticism in person. Ustun runs a good wheel route with some deception as if he is blocking, both a skill and bred from good coaching happened twice live and a few more on tape. He stood out more as a WR to me live, but I think he has some solid DB reps on tape as well - a recruitable prospect on either side of the ball.     On a team stacked with really good athletes, it can be tough to stand out - especially as an offensive skill player when that's where your team is loaded. During a Staten Island Pub V Private matchup of Curtis v Moore Catholic, I got to see probably around 7-8 D1 players on the field - in his first game with Moore Catholic, Pelaez stood out for a couple of reasons.   He could be one of the most explosive movers in the '26 class coming from Staten Island; his tape has tons of reps showcasing good change of direction and explosive jumpy movements from his cuts. He has a bit of a slippery running style, and his contact balance is good, but it is because he avoids significant contact with how loose his lower body is.   I like his tape a lot. There are tons of explosive plays on film, and I saw that live also -the only thing you would like to see is the ability to turn those 10+ gains into longer runs in HS. I wouldn't call it a lack of speed because he looks good on tape and doesn't get hawked, but I would like to see some 25+ yard gains on his tape.     Gnerre has a lot of Varsity experience under his belt and while St. Peter's fielded a really good team this season, Gnerre will be the focal point of the defense next year with so many significant graduates to the college ranks.   A lot of people will look at the measurables and write Gnerre off because of size - while he plays inside linebacker for St. Peter's, I think at the next level, there is a role for him as an SS/Slot Corner/Rover type of player whatever you want to call it.   Measurables aside, Gnerre plays the game exactly how you would want most of your guys to - he shows a physically violent finish on tape, and he plays fast, showcasing on tape his ability to read the run and avoid blocks. You also see that in coverage, he has good awareness of his responsibility but keeps an eye on the QB anticipating throws.   Gnerre may be undersized, but he is a really good football player, like the tape - I will try and see him in person to get a stronger grasp on his athleticism, but it is hard to turn away players who play fast and violent.

There are a ton of prospects from Staten Island after another very strong year of football from the teams from Staten Island. There were some great private vs public matchups on the island, in addition to some quality out-of-state opponents traveling to the Island to take on some of the top teams. A good mix of PSAL and CHSFL talent comes from the Island, and even with a ton of Staten Island guys already on and headed to Wagner, there have been a few major CFB contributors around the country from Staten Island.