PRZ Pitt 7v7, Top 35 18U Non-QB Performers, 30-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>***Disclaimer: The list below is based solely on what I was able to observe firsthand with my own eyes and camera during the event, as well as in conjunction with my colleague Caleb Holfoth. While every effort has been made to represent all athletes present as accurately as possible, it was impossible for me to watch every single kid in detail due to the scope of the event. This list reflects my personal observations and does not take into account current Prep Redzone rankings or any other external evaluations. Thank you for understanding the limitations of this coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["399251"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1635855,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67ca61d1e5c4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700","fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="text-gray-700 has-medium-font-size"><strong>30. [player_tooltip player_id='399251' first='Daiveon' last='Taylor'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'll voice this again, it's tough for any linebacker to succeed in setting like this one. QBs have ample time to throw the football, QBs have plenty of vision of the field, it's relatively easy for great QBs to pick apart backers attempting to drop into zones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This wasn't the case when watching top-ten junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='399251' first='Daiveon' last='Taylor']. The Aliquippa star moved well laterally. Taylor was physical against any wideout/back attempting to cross his face. Vocal, and attentive, Taylor also served as a big body that QBs had to throw over, this being tough considering his height and reach. I don't think of Taylor as an elite next-level pass-covering OLB, yet it's nice to see him put his capabilities on display from time to time. Taylor recorded seven sacks for Aliquippa last Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311611"],"_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-67ca61d1e5cac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>29. [player_tooltip player_id='1311611' first='Chris' last='Portis'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'2, 180 pounds out of East Allegheny, repping PAElite's 18U Black team. I was able to watch Portis and company work on both days, with the junior wideout leading the team as its main target. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Portis stuck out like a sore thumb, his build making him an ideal candidate for posts and corners downfield. PAElite QBs were content with dumping off balls to others within ten yards of the LOS, yet if they wanted to test DBs downfield or attempt to convert on long down-and-distance situations, Portis was their answer. Witnessed Portis score on three different occasions, good separator when he has a chance to open up his stride. Soft hands. This was the first chance I've had to see Portis up close, he didn't disappoint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["647285"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1635850,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67ca61d1e5b70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>28. [player_tooltip player_id='647285' first='Korry' last='Pitts Jr.'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another GC Motion prospect on this list. This time it's cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='647285' first='Korry' last='Pitts Jr.'] repping North Allegheny. A top 100 prospect in Pennsylvania, hardly surprised to see him dominate competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pitts and GC Motion lined up opposite a quarterback who will be listed as the second-best QB performer in a later piece, that being Elvis Koutsakis repping Garfield Gators. Koutsakis did well against GC Motion, that is except for when targeting the left side of the field. Pitts Jr. was locking down wideouts. Length, physicality, combined with fantastic zone coverage knowledge, Pitts put forth exemplary boundary play at this event, can't say I was surprised.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156036"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1635851,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67ca61d1e5aca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>27. [player_tooltip player_id='1156036' first='Rio' last='Stotts']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1156036' first='Rio' last='Stotts'], a junior out of Riverview HS, was a huge reason Pittsburgh Elite went undefeated in pool play. Sadly, I didn't get eyes on Stotts, not enough to get him on our list. That being said, my colleague Caleb Holfoth did, as well as immediate recommendation from Pitt Elite coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Was on the receiving end of five different scores on offense, all while adding four interceptions against great competition. Stotts is ranked modestly on our site, weekends like this will likely do wonders for his stock moving forward, especially when you consider he was contributing at a high level against great competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'9, 3.5 GPA. 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["671840"],"_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-67ca61d1e5bd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>26. [player_tooltip player_id='671840' first='Nelson' last='Coleman']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not surprised to watch 412Elite's [player_tooltip player_id='671840' first='Nelson' last='Coleman'] lock down his side of the field. I was able to watch 412Elite Yellow work up close for three or so games, throwing to the right side of the field was nearly impossible thanks to Coleman's efforts along the boundary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not surprised considering Coleman is one of the best DBs in all of Pennsylvania. Multiple PBUs, multiple interceptions, Coleman put together a fantastic weekend and was a lock for this list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Below is a 20-play, two minute montage of <a href="https://twitter.com/412Elite_7v7FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@412Elite_7v7FB</a>'s dominant defense. <br><br>Players featured inside….<a href="https://twitter.com/jay__timmons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jay__timmons</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MooreZykir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooreZykir</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Dajaunwebb08?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dajaunwebb08</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tybaleno?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tybaleno</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gabealldy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gabealldy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jaecebooker6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jaecebooker6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JujuJohnson0?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JujuJohnson0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JujuJohnson03?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JujuJohnson03</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/xair7_stevenson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@xair7_stevenson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNelsRCole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheNelsRCole</a> &amp; more!! <a href="https://t.co/1n7eUaDYYp">pic.twitter.com/1n7eUaDYYp</a></p>&mdash; VicCastilloPRZ (@PRZPAvic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1897690312119562626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->