Early Season Risers: New Names Making Noise Across the WPIAL

We're already three games and a scrimmage into the year, and it feels like the season is flying by. A lot of familiar faces are doing what we expected, but there are also new guys across the WPIAL starting to make their names known.    Calling this a breakout for Watkins doesn't sit right because he's been putting out high-level film for a while now. The reality is he still hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves as one of the top recruits in the WPIAL, but this year he's playing like a man on a mission. Against good competition, Watkins has been dominant. He's got the size of a prototypical X receiver, runs crisp routes to separate against anybody, and has strong hands to win contested catches. After the catch, he's physical and tough to bring down, punishing defenders every time he touches the ball. But what makes him stand out goes beyond the measurables. He plays with energy, effort, and leadership that you can feel. He blocks, contributes on special teams, and never takes a snap off. Last year he showed flashes even in a loaded offense, scoring multiple touchdowns in the WPIAL championship against North Allegheny. Now, with a bigger role, he's proving he can be just as impactful as guys like Bradley Gompers and Xxavier Thomas. He's currently committed to Navy, and if it stays that way they're landing a sleeper. Truthfully, his film shows he could play level Power Four football.       Herrick has quickly become one of the most intriguing names in the WPIAL. After sitting out his freshman season due to transfer rules, this is his first year of high school football, and through three games he's thrown for nearly 600 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. That's against Woodland Hills, Pine-Richland, and national powerhouse La Salle College, not easy teams. For a sophomore just starting out, that's rare. Herrick has a missile for an arm and already flashes next-level velocity, likely helped by his baseball background. He can launch it 30 to 40 yards with ease, drive it into tight windows, and he does it with clean mechanics, calm footwork, smooth hips, and a compact release. Quarterback is as much mental as it is physical, and it's usually a steep learning curve, but Herrick looks comfortable. If this is the baseline, it's hard to imagine how good he'll be with two more years of development. Right now, he looks like one of the best pure quarterback prospects in the 2028 class.       Sleeping on City League ball is how you miss players like Hill. His breakout against Steel Valley turned heads, and the film doesn't lie. He's a downhill runner with a low center of gravity who runs behind his pads and isn't afraid to deliver contact. Hill sees the field well, gets north-south quickly, and once he's in space, he has the speed to take it the distance. Physical, decisive, and explosive, Hill looks like one of the more exciting City League talents to emerge this year.       Lenart is the definition of a football player, wherever you line him up he will make plays. He's physical and sets a tone. Defensively, just three weeks into the season, his film is already filled with splash plays. He has a nose for the ball, plays fast downhill, and constantly disrupts in the backfield. Against Latrobe, he jumped a crossing route and nearly housed it, showing his instincts in coverage. On offense, he's just as valuable. As an H-back, he's a violent lead blocker who puts linebackers on their backs, and with the ball in his hands, he runs through tacklers. He even lined up at quarterback last year when needed, further proving he's just a flat-out football player. Right now, he holds a Clarion offer, but with his production and versatility, he looks like an FCS-level talent at minimum. He's a hidden gem.       This isn't a brand-new name since Honick was a playmaker at Greensburg Central Catholic last season, but his move to EF has shown he can be just as productive against stronger competition. He's the classic deep threat you trust one-on-one. With legit speed and great ball tracking, he stretches defenses vertically and can flip the field in an instant. Teams also use him creatively on jet sweeps and end-arounds, where his burst lets him turn the corner. On defense, he brings equal impact. His ball skills make him dangerous in coverage, and his wrestling background gives him the technique and toughness to be a reliable tackler in space. He hasn't picked up his first offer yet, but Honick has next-level ability and could turn into a steal for a program that believes in him.