Spring Showcase University Big Man Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Code PRZWV30 for a discount on your subscription at checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four area high schools from northern West Virginia and Pittsburgh, PA, participated in the 3rd Annual Spring Showcase at the Highlands Sports Complex on Tuesday evening. Host school Linsly welcomed Weir, University, and Westinghouse (PA) to join them in front of college coaches for a spring evaluation, with many prospects standing out. Here are the big man prospects from University in attendance who caught our eye at the Spring Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624405"],"_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-682538387ab27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An early 2028 big man prospect to know from University is OL [player_tooltip player_id='1624405' first='Luke' last='Padula']. He's a name that most people aren't familiar with yet, but he has a very bright future for the Hawks once he posts some film and gets his name out there more. Padula was impressive at Tuesday's Spring Showcase for a young lineman facing some very good and older talent in attendance during 1-on-1s. He held his own during that period, winning his share of reps and seeing the progression still to be made in the future against the top linemen there. Padula has the size and tools to develop into a top OL prospect in the 2028 class by his senior year and is a name that colleges will want to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673875"],"_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-682538387ab8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">University's [player_tooltip player_id='1673875' first='Ryder' last='Hastings'] is an undersized lineman to know in the 2026 class that impressed me at the Spring Showcase. While he doesn't have prototypical size, Hastings showed high competitiveness and a nasty streak during 1-on-1s. What he lacked in size, Hastings made up for with tenacity, power, and quickness, which gave bigger opposing linemen fits at times. He's a strong athlete and plays with good leverage while keeping his hands tight on his man. Sprint Football would be a great option for Hastings if he wants to continue playing football in college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673876"],"_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-682538387abd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another University big man who I wasn't familiar with before the camp and did some good things was 2026 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1673876' first='Preston' last='Kerns']. He's another undersized lineman for a college prospect, but D3 programs may be interested in his services after high school if he wants to pursue football. Kerns had quality footwork during 1-on-1s, showing he can stay in front of some quick defensive linemen at times. He also has good upper-body strength, which stymied his man in several reps, keeping them at the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673877"],"_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-682538387ac1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1673877' first='Tyce' last='Bittner'] showed potential and upside at Tuesday's Spring Showcase on both sides of the line. He's very raw right now, but has 6'3 230 size that can be molded into a quality offensive or defensive lineman. Right now, his future looks better as a DE with some athletic traits to utilize as he learns the technique and fundamentals of the position. Bittner is a 2027 prospect to keep tabs on for later as his varsity opportunities come over the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1673871"],"_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-682538387ac5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1673871' first='Aydan' last='Downey'] did some good things as an undersized defensive lineman who looked athletic enough to play linebacker as well. His speed and quickness off the line proved to be trouble for some of the opposing offensive linemen in attendance, winning several reps. He even hung in well when acting as an offensive lineman, showing he has the footwork and toughness to stand in against some much bigger opposing prospects. Downey missed last season with an injury, but keep an eye on him this season as a very under-the-radar prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1647769"],"_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-682538387ac9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're becoming very familiar with 2027 University EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1647769' first='Gavin' last='Stone']'s game after getting eyes on him in person twice in the last two weeks. Stone competed at our recent Combine Series and did some good things at the Spring Showcase as well. He has upside as a pass rusher and has developed some quality moves as a young player entering his junior season. Stone is quick with good bend to dip under offensive lineman or redirect his path mid-rush. Once he adds some more size and strength, he'll have the tools to earn some college attention by his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->