Prospects Deep Dive: Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Xxavier Thomas PA #25 DB #2 HEIGHT 5'10" WEIGHT 160 POS DB CLASS 2025 View Profile Xxavier Thomas Twitter State: Pennsylvania School: Pittsburgh Central Catholic Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025…
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Continue ReadingXxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is one of the best players in the 2025 class. He has already commited to Penn State to play defensive back.
Below is what my colleague Vic Castillo Vic Castillo RB PA wrote about him:
“I have no problem admitting I might’ve been a bit too harsh on Pittsburgh Central Catholic’s Xxavier Thomas Xxavier Thomas 5’10” | 160 lbs | DB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA , at least in terms of ranking. I have no issues with the kid’s game, it’s proven by top-five rankings over the past two updates. That being said, I was on the fence as to whether or not Thomas was a legitimate Big10 corner. Penn State showed they’d seen enough out of the junior DB, proving I should go back and re-evaluate my grade on Thomas. I’ve done so, now ranking Thomas as a top-three DB in his class. Thomas would have likely stayed inside the top five even without the PSU validation. Thomas will join New Jersey’s Omari Gaines as the second DB to verbally commit to PSU among his 2025 peers. If there was any recruiter in the Northeast whose DB evaluations can’t be doubted, it would be Coach Terry Smith over at Happy Valley. I’d imagine”
Colsen Gatten Colsen Gatten 6’1″ | 210 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA played outside linebacker last year. He has a good combination of athleticism and fundamentals. He does a good job of playing in space and the box as a linebacker. In pass coverage, he does an outstanding job of getting his hands on the ball for pass breakups and interceptions. In run support, he does a good job of reading and reacting to the play and then coming upfield to make the play. He is an outstanding tackler. In the open field, he is good at tracking down ball carriers. Sky’s the limit for Gatten and he picked up an offer from Tennessee. I expect more offers to come his way.
Highlights
Bradley Gompers Bradley Gompers 6’5″ | 205 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is a great player at linebacker. He makes plays all over the field from his linebacker position. Below is what my colleague Vic Castillo Vic Castillo RB PA said about Gompers:
“The best linebacker option still available outside of Sacca. The more Big10 teams that inquire in the form of offers, the more I lean toward evaluators liking the kid at OLB. Would love to know if his measurables are verified, a ton of different numbers floating around. Either way, the kid carries the ideal ingredients for any coach who wants to cook the raw materials. Michigan State’s Joe Rossi and Wisconsin’s Nate Letton are actively recruiting PCC’s multi-faceted ATH. A serious TE/WR option, reps at these positions on tape help further his case as an athletic OLB option at the Power Five level. If Gompers is closer to 6’2-6’3, look for potential suitors to see if he can play Safety at the next level, considering he’s registered a real 4.5 40 time in the past”.
Elijah Faulkner Elijah Faulkner 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is a homerun threat everytime he touches the ball. As a running back once he hits the hole he explodes through it. Then once he gets into the open field he is off to the races. He also showed he is capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and make people miss. Faulkner is also a physical runner who is hard to bring down. Finally he has a sick spin move I saw him use. Faulkner is a legit running back who recently picked an offer from Cornell.
Sam Brackney Sam Brackney 6’2″ | 270 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is a good offensive lineman in the 2025 class. Below is what my colleague Vic Castillo Vic Castillo RB PA said about Brackney:
“Sam is another quality OL with valuable game experience. He’s an efficient OG that fires off low and runs his feet through contact. He’s agile enough to fulfill assignments on the 2nd level. He’s currently 6’2, 255 pounds but displays good strength, finishing plays physically. He’s a consistent performer that excels at pulling and pass protecting. He plays at a low pad level and stalemates bigger competition. Brackney is one of the clear enforcers along the O-line for the Vikings”.
Jy’aire Walls Jy’aire Walls 6’1″ | 170 lbs | QB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 PA has the size and the tools to be the starting quarterback this season. He will have to win a quarterback challenge, but should have a good chance to win it going into his Senior year. Below is what I wrote about him last year at our prospect camp:
“The quarterback MVP of the camp is a natural selection as a 1st-team QB. Walls was consistently the best QB all day at the prospect camp. He is an impressive prospect that I cannot wait to see how he does in the next two years. Walls has good mechanics and can make all the throws needed to be successful”.
Highlights
Amari Shields Amari Shields ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is an exciting athlete who is going into his Senior year. He has a real chance to make a mark this season. Below is what my colleague Avery Hawkins said about him:
“Shields displays great body control and the ability to maneuver swiftly through small openings on inside runs. He possesses patience, quick-twitch, and vision as a runner, allowing him to effectively accelerate past defenders. He runs with good power and maintains forward lean while securing the football. Amari showcases impressive agility with good speed, enabling him to identify his running lanes quickly. Without a doubt, if Shields continues to improve his top-end speed, he will be a D1 caliber prospect”.
Ryan Jameson Ryan Jameson 6’3″ | 220 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA has limited film but showed he is a more than capable defensive lineman. He has good strength and he is hard to move off of his spot. He shows a motor that doesn’t stop as he chases down plays all over the field. He does a good job of getting off blocks to make plays. Jameson should get more playing time next year and make a bigger impact.
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Bobby Macurak Bobby Macurak 5’10” | 195 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 PA played inside linebacker last year. He showed good technique by reading his keys and then coming downhill to make the play. Macurak was good in run support. I expect him to get even better going into his Junior Season.
Roman Thompson Roman Thompson 6’0″ | 200 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA is a special talent as an athlete in the 2027 class.Below is what I wrote about him before:
“ Roman Thompson Roman Thompson 6’0″ | 200 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA flashed some serious skills last year for Pittsburgh Central Catholic. He played both linebacker and running back. At running back he showed an elusiveness to make people miss in the hole. Then when he got into the open field, he showed legit speed with his ability to run by defenders for touchdown or big plays. At linebacker, he showed good instincts and the ability to attack downhill and make tackles. Thompson did a nice job of triggering, getting upfield and making the tackle near the line of scrimmage. Thompson has a ton of talent and should only improve going into his Sophomore season”.
Grady Papa Grady Papa 6’2″ | 225 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is one of the better defensive lineman prospects in the 2025 class. Below is what my colleague Avery Hawkins wrote about him before:
“Grady is another PCC player with good size, standing at 6’2 and weighing 220 lbs. He has good bend in his stance and does a solid job of locking out offensive lineman when surveying. He has a nose for the ball and gives adequate effort. Papa was active in run support, playing DE last season. I expect Grady to assume added responsibility for the Vikings in 2022”.
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Ashton Blatt Ashton Blatt 6’4″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA is a talented linebacker in the 2026 class. Below is what my colleague Vic Castillo Vic Castillo RB PA wrote about him:
“ Ashton Blatt Ashton Blatt 6’4″ | 215 lbs | LB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA , along with others in this piece, served as a priority to get my eyes on at this event. He, as well as Colsen Gatten Colsen Gatten 6’1″ | 210 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA , placed very high along our initial freshman rankings that debuted in August of last year. Word from coaches I know out West have pounded the table for the kid, I had to get out there and see the kid work for my own eyes. Watching Blatt was a focal point of my trip to West Virginia, the kid carries an awesome build for a myriad of positions, said build looked good in person. Blatt’s lack of tape would have had him off the rankings entirely, yet seeing him throw darts across the field against great DBs and LBs helped his cause to not only stay on the rankings but stay inside the top 50. After seeing him work different levels of the field, after seeing how live his arm can be, especially when targetting weapons 20+ yards downfield, I feel much more comfortable talking about Blatt as one of the better Freshman prospects in the state. Even if Blatt doesn’t stick at quarterback for whatever reason, I still believe his presence will be felt in a significant way next Fall”.
Highlights
Da’Ron Goodwine Da’Ron Goodwine 6’3″ | 280 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA has limited film but showed he is a capable defensive lineman. He is a good run defender as he can occupy blocks. He also has a good motor. I saw him chase down several players from behind. Goodwine should be a bigger contributor going into his Senior year.
Daniel Speca Daniel Speca ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 PA has limited film and it was from Junior Varsity, but he flashed good skills at wide receiver. He does a good job after the catch making defenders miss. He then can make big plays out of nothing. He runs good routes and does a nice job of catching contested ball. Speca is a good player who should be a bigger contributor this season.
Roman Kane Roman Kane 6’1″ | 270 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2025 State PA is one of those tough offensive lineman that everyone likes. Below is what Avery Hawkins my colleague wrote about him before:
“Roman is another potential college prospect with good measurements, at 6’2 and 270 lbs. Kane is another player I’m glad I got to see up close at the Top 150 camp. He’s proportionally built with strength and agility. He plays with a nasty attitude and has pretty good technique in general. Roman’s athleticism is advantageous in pass protection; he has an active base with a strong punch. Kane is another experienced player who will look to keep progressing in 2023”.
Max Roman Max Roman 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA was a Freshman last year, but in his limited film you see flashes of a talented player. Here is what I wrote about him from before:
“ Max Roman Max Roman 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA ‘s film was from Freshman or Junior Varsity, but he showed some good skills at wide receiver. He catches the ball well in traffic. Then when he gets into the open field Roman has good skills to run by defenders. Roman shows a good ability to catch contested catches as well. Roman should only improve as a receiver going forward”.
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Keefer Wolff Keefer Wolff 6’1″ | 215 lbs | DL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 PA is a good prospect to check out next season at defensive end and tight end. Below is what I wrote about him previosely:
“Another young defensive lineman/linebacker who showed progress at the camp. Wolff is a good athlete that got better as the camp kept going. He did a good job with reading and reacting drills and did a nice job dropping in coverage in the different drills. Initially, when the competition phase started Wolff struggled but he got better as the camp went on”.
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Matt Bowers Matt Bowers 6’4″ | 265 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 State PA is a sleeping giant at offensive line. I expect him to make a greater impact next season and he will get the attention he deserves. He has great size standing at 6’4″ inches tall. Below is what my colleague Dylan Callaghan-Coley said about him:
“Nice sized guard for Pittsburgh Central Catholic who shows good athletics and foundational blocking skills”.
Seamus Mahon Seamus Mahon 5’10” | QB Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2026 PA played quarterback on the Junior Varsity last year. He has good mechanics and throws a great ball. He especially throws a nice deep ball. He knows exactly how to put the right touch on the ball. He is good when the play breaks down by scrambling and keeping his head downfield to find open receivers. Mahon is a good quarterback who should only get better going forward.
Jon Sassic Jon Sassic 6’6″ | 285 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA has the potential to be a great offensive lineman. He has great size to play offensive line. He also has good strength and athleticism as well. This is what I wrote about him from before:
“ Jon Sassic Jon Sassic 6’6″ | 285 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA is another player that is more based on projection since he does not have a lot of film. He is great size standing 6’5 inches tall and 280 pounds. Sassic should get on the field this year for Pittsburgh Central Catholic and I expect an impact from him”.
Between Jon Sassic Jon Sassic 6’6″ | 285 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA and Jimmy Kalis Jimmy Kalis 6’6″ | 280 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA in the 2027 class PCC future tackle prospects are set. Kalis is a big lineman that has a ton of potential going forward. Below is what I wrote about him before:
“ Jimmy Kalis Jimmy Kalis 6’6″ | 280 lbs | OL Pittsburgh Central Catholic | 2027 State PA got on the field some for Pittsburgh Central Catholic last year and showed a good ability to play offensive tackle. He does a nice job of extending his arms and blocking players on the edge. He has good size standing 6’5 inches tall and he should be able to grow into that frame going forward. Kalis should get onto the field even more next season. He visited Akron in the fall and I expect he will get more looks from College Football coaches”.