PA Season In Full-Swing, Full Tape Evaluations Pre-Week Five

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180780"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f46517a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Formerly out of Cheltenham High School, he missed the first two games of his senior season due to transfer rules. I was expecting to see him suit up against Archbishop Carroll this past weekend but wasn't able to attend the game. He is currently ranked as a primary Division III target for local coaches at that level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I took a peek into his minute and a half single game highlight tape posted just yesterday. It's clear that even though he is ranked and labeled as a wide receiver and athlete, he has previous experience playing quarterback. He likely won't be recruited to play quarterback at the collegiate level, but it was nice seeing him get the ball out on time and account for a couple of splash plays through the air, both of which traveled 15 to 20 plus yards downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He looks fresh and as spry as he ever has in open space now that he is a senior. There is a ton of elusiveness and wiggle to his game in the open field. He is a great angle taker and understands how to set up his blocks downfield to maximize yardage gained. I was also impressed with his accuracy on a few tight window throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again, I'm not sold that he is a collegiate quarterback, but he is selling me on the fact that he is a serious football prospect with a serious football IQ. Being able to man the quarterback position while still projecting and being recruited as an overall athlete says a lot about his versatility. I'll update his profile in due time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2409016,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1743278' first='Michael' last='Miller']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bishop Shanahan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f46528b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An unranked quarterback among Pennsylvania's 2028 prospects, Miller tagged me in his most recent game highlights against Pope John Paul II High School. Through four games, he is completing 60 percent of his passes with more than 750 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I plugged in his most recent single game tape for the evaluation below. Miller looks comfortable in spread sets and operating out of the gun. He understands personnel and matchups presnap pretty well. He can identify man or zone coverage before the snap and target the appropriate option based on that initial read. He is also a frequent communicator with his offensive line after the huddle breaks and looks to have a good handle on the offense, aided by consistent communication with his coaches on the sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One rep has Miller ripping a pass roughly 35 yards through the air while on the run, eventually resulting in a touchdown. It flashes his mobility, downfield accuracy and ability to stretch the field despite his relatively smaller stature. It is not easy to rip a throw nearly 40 yards while eluding pressure and being one step away from going out of bounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is also a clear intention to catch the snap and get the football out quickly on many of his reps. Miller can catch the snap, locate slants, swings or stick routes and deliver the ball accurately and quickly, minimizing the effectiveness of the pass rush. Creative offensive sets often need a seasoned quarterback behind center to operate them accordingly, and Miller looks to be exactly that for Bishop Shanahan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love his willingness to test man coverage 30 yards downfield. There is clear confidence in his arm, not only to stretch the field, but to drop the ball in the bucket outside the numbers where only his guy can get it. Great first impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1366019"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f465310"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He tagged me in a tape yesterday showcasing his highlights from a win over New Oxford High School. He racked up more than 200 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He is already ranked as a top 50 prospect among all Pennsylvania juniors in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first rep on tape should excite college coaches who might flirt with the idea of stationing him at quarterback despite his wide receiver label. He uncorks a 40 yard bomb off a double move without a massive hitch, showing off his natural arm talent. Again, I view him as a wide receiver or safety at the FBS level, but it is nice to see him fully flesh out his athletic profile week in and week out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He works well and looks comfortable with two backs in the backfield, operating mesh looks where he can tuck the ball on his own read and pick up yards on the ground. He is a big kid with an even bigger stride, allowing him to eat up yards quickly. Again, through zone read concepts, coaches can still see his full athletic potential with the ball in his hands as he runs through and away from potential tacklers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of his three touchdowns this past weekend came on the ground. He is a left handed passer, I might add, and looks great in impromptu situations. He can extend plays two to three seconds longer than they should last and still create something positive. I'd love to see him in person soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715051"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f465388"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I appreciate Gray tagging me in his most recent first three game tape, which is currently pinned to his Twitter. Four full minutes of nothing but technically sound tackling from a linebacker who is currently ranked inside the top 150 in his class. I'm getting a bit of validation from my previous evaluation here. Gray carries a Division I linebacker build and is adding ample production to back up that claim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first rep on tape showcases Gray's complete thought process postsnap. He is a linebacker capable of reading and reacting to a releasing tight end, dropping into his zone and playing the passing window accordingly. He then identifies the quarterback leaving the pocket, closes ground and makes an impact play 15 to 20 yards away from his presnap alignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His offensive reps at running back are icing on the cake, as are his special teams reps. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a collegiate level linebacker, regardless of what level he ultimately plays at. Gray is a violent, tone setting player. You can even see it on special teams, where he is leveling would be tacklers while working on the return team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can align at fullback in I formation sets and can tote the rock himself. Flat out, he is one of the toughest and more hard nosed players in his class. He can shed and put himself in position to make plays purely based on instinct. His lateral movement immediately after the snap, even before handoffs are made, consistently puts him in advantageous positions to clean up plays or create tackles behind the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those instincts are exactly what you want to see from a linebacker who is now an upperclassman. Great effort player with a great motor to match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2165100"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f4653f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I recently included Reason in a previous post, and he tagged me again this past weekend following a 10 tackle performance, arguably his best showing yet. After watching a couple of his first two games, I'm at the point where I really want to see him in person. He would be in line for an immediate ranking boost, as I mentioned in the previous article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan reacts to passing concepts well. He has a good understanding of in breaking routes and where he needs to position himself in zone coverage. His most recent single game cutup includes a rep where he levels a would be slant receiver, showing his ability to read and react underneath.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not all of his production is included in the 25 second clip, which leaves me wanting more. I'd love to see all of his tackles for loss, sacks and pressures put together on tape. The more tape I watch, the more I want to see this young man in person.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1647818"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f46543d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently ranked as a top five tight end prospect in his class and a top 75 junior regardless of position. I decided to include him in this article after a 16 tackle performance, two of which came behind the line of scrimmage. More production as a defender might have me considering a full time position change. I'm enamored with his projection at tight end, yet MLB or OLB might be on his horizon at the next level if he continues putting together strong defensive reps week in and week out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He visited Rutgers this past weekend. He is a legitimate presence in the gaps. Backs can be deterred from entering a desired hole strictly based on his presence alone. His build looks better than ever. He looks like a full 225 pounds with a tall, chiseled frame. Again, his tape is screaming physically imposing linebacker, one athletic enough to still be explored as a future tight end. He plays through the whistle and doesn't mind running from hash to sideline to clean up tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His offensive experience has likely positioned him to succeed at linebacker, as he is easily one of the better players at reading and reacting to offensive flow that I've evaluated in this article so far. Offensively, he is willing to block and contribute in the run game. That was already known, but I love seeing it against Bonner, a program loaded with defensive beef and talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an offerable prospect today, in my opinion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2006008"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f46548a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He tagged me in a recent first four game highlight tape showcasing a handful of receiving yards along with nearly 20 tackles from his defensive back position, including a forced fumble and a pass breakup. There are two and a half minutes of tape available, starting with his work as a boundary corner in off coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first rep immediately caught my attention. He shows a really smooth hip transition and is able to stay in phase with a wide receiver who arguably has double his stride length. Better than I expected. He actually covers two different players on the rep, coming off his initial matchup to attend to another open receiver before eventually forcing a fumble. That speaks volumes about his motor, effort and willingness to make his presence felt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently ranked as a low Division II priority prospect out of South Western High School, he also gets a chance to showcase his offensive ability a few reps later. He aligns at wide receiver and shows some of the ball skills and yards after catch ability that translate well to his projection as a collegiate cornerback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regardless of his offensive prowess, I see a tough defensive back who is willing to attack blocks, shed and give up his body to bring down ball carriers or minimize yardage gained on outside zone runs. He can play some bump and run coverage but looks most comfortable aligning six to seven yards off the ball presnap. There are also some safety reps throughout his first four game tape, once again showcasing his toughness in run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a senior who is playing better than I expected, specifically at cornerback, and he is becoming an easier sell to PSAC programs across Pennsylvania. He might need a ranking boost in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2209464"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab159f4654d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my favorite juniors in all of Pennsylvania. I took a peek at Bradshaw's most recent highlight tape, where he recorded 85 receiving yards on three catches, one of which went 70 yards for a touchdown. He also broke up two passes at cornerback, with some work at the line of scrimmage included. An all around impressive game from an all around impressive athlete who can seriously be recruited to play defensive back or wide receiver. The more production and tape I see, the more I believe that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His 70 yard touchdown came off a double move that created nearly five yards of separation between Bradshaw and his matchup. From there, he had roughly 40 yards of open field between himself and two defenders. Bradshaw made sure neither defender brought him down. That says a lot about his ability in open space. Playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His second rep has him reading and reacting to a bubble screen at the line of scrimmage, attacking downhill and bringing the receiver down behind the line. Offensively, he looks comfortable releasing against defensive backs attempting to press him. I also love that his tape includes reps where he doesn't get the football. One of those snaps still showcases his release and separation skills postsnap, regardless of whether the ball ultimately comes his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradshaw does a good job eating up cushion when it is given to him. He bursts off the line with intent regardless of the route being called. Some young wideouts can tell you exactly what route they are running the moment the ball is snapped. Bradshaw does not. Advanced level route running, in my opinion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->