Film Study: 2026 WPIAL Elite Edge Defenders Who Impressed

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388089"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0b9720a329"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='388089' first='Ashton' last='Blatt'] is one of the best athletes in the 2026 class. His athleticism, speed, and strength are impressive. He does a great job as an edge defender with his ability to attack the offense. He is hard to block one-on-one as offensive tackles cannot handle his elite ability. He is equally as good at defending the run and the pass. As a pass rusher, he shows exceptional pass-rushing ability. As a run defender, he takes on blockers well and makes a ton of plays against opposing offenses. Blatt projects as a high-level Division 1 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Locked in 🔒 ‼️ <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BadgerFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Mitch_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Mitch_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RoseBrandon_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoseBrandon_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BuckyRecruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BuckyRecruiting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachFick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachFick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PCC_FOOTBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PCC_FOOTBALL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLehmeier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLehmeier</a> <a href="https://t.co/tRtJplHOSd">pic.twitter.com/tRtJplHOSd</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='388089' first='Ashton' last='Blatt'] (@blatt_ashton) <a href="https://twitter.com/blatt_ashton/status/1899229773672370650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402467"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0b9720a38f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='402467' first='TJ' last='Sabatucci'] is a good athlete who played as a tight end and as an edge defender last year. As a tight end, he shows good athleticism with his ability to run routes and make plays after the catch. He also has outstanding hands as he catches the ball thrown in or near him. He is also a good blocker who can move all over the formation to block. Then, as an edge defender, he is also a stand-out player. His ability to set the edge is impressive. He uses his athleticism and strength to play well as an edge defender. He also has a motor that never quits as he constantly chases plays all over the field. Sabatucci is a good athlete who has some special tools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my junior season highlights! <a href="https://t.co/CHpj83itTh">https://t.co/CHpj83itTh</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='402467' first='TJ' last='Sabatucci'] (@SabatucciTJ2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/SabatucciTJ2026/status/1852348247110512807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156137"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0b9720a3d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1156137' first='William' last='Ki Gorman'] is a special athlete who is dynamic as an edge defender. His combination of speed, athleticism, and strength is legitimate. His ability to get off the ball quickly and attack opposing offenses is legit. He also shows a good ability to shed blocks and make plays against the offense. Gorman shows off a burst and speed seldom seen from edge defenders. He looks like a wide receiver running around and making plays against the offense, but he is an edge defender; that is how athletic he looks. Gorman projects as a high Division One player who currently has 7 offers so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanking GOD first 🙏🏽.....My Parents, and every Coach, Trainer, Teammate, Media Person, and News Outlet. I&#039;ll continue to grind and work hard everyday 💯...on the field🏈 and in the classroom 🎓. Pray, Train, Study, Compete......REPEAT ✔️!<a href="https://twitter.com/Chise89?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chise89</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/210ths?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@210ths</a> <a href="https://t.co/oPtN1NGm0L">pic.twitter.com/oPtN1NGm0L</a></p>&mdash; Will KI Gorman (@willkigorman) <a href="https://twitter.com/willkigorman/status/1891572172499415054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580750"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0b9720a41a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1580750' first='Lucas' last='Shanafelt'] is a match-up piece on defense for Peters Township. He played at 3 different positions on defense last year. He was used as a defensive lineman with his hand down, a stand-up edge defender, and an off-the-ball linebacker. At all 3 positions, his ability to make plays against the offense is impressive. As a defensive lineman, he is hard to run the ball on. He cannot be moved off his spot as he is too strong. As an edge defender, he is that elite athlete who attacks and makes so many plays in the offensive backfield. Finally, as an off-ball linebacker, he can cover well in the open field. He also played wide receiver, and he flashed good skills there as well. Shanafelt's recruitment has picked up recently, and I expect he will be playing at a Division One College in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Pittsburgh!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/H2P?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#H2P</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDuzzPittFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDuzzPittFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Kb1Raw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kb1Raw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachjbronowski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjbronowski</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachdaoust?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachdaoust</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Pitt_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pitt_FB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Plack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Plack</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ejbrueggman_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ejbrueggman_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PetersTwpFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PetersTwpFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/wpialsportsnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wpialsportsnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dv3TWmox8f">pic.twitter.com/Dv3TWmox8f</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1580750' first='Lucas' last='Shanafelt'] 3🌟 ATH (@ShanafeltLucas) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShanafeltLucas/status/1882914201423008234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["529124"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e0b9720a45a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='529124' first='Dylan' last='Rogers'] is an outstanding athlete who played as an edge defender and as a linebacker last year for Montour. As an edge defender, he gets off the ball quickly. His ability to fire off the ball and make plays against the offense is excellent. He constantly makes plays against the opposing offenses, stopping the run and the pass. Then, as a linebacker, he does a good job of reading and reacting to the play and attacking downhill to make plays. Rogers is an intriguing prospect who has immense talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FULL JUNIOR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS‼️<br>DE/EDGE/MLB<br>76 tackles<br>16 TFL'S<br>2 SACKS<br>2 PASS DEFLECTIONS<a href="https://twitter.com/wpialsportsnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wpialsportsnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WPIAL_Insider?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WPIAL_Insider</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Jummers_32?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jummers_32</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JarrodRider?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JarrodRider</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Jay_A_Martinez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jay_A_Martinez</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MontourFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MontourFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/PHS2ieiAJW">https://t.co/PHS2ieiAJW</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='529124' first='Dylan' last='Rogers'] (@dylanrogers_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/dylanrogers_1/status/1852820948296110384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->