WPIAL Preview: Top 10 Big East Conference 2026 Prospects

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["618705"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='618705' first='Brock' last='Heisler'] played defensive line, offensive tackle, and some tight end for Hempfield area last year. Most of his film was at defensive line. At defensive line, he showed a good ability to get off the ball. He is good at getting off the ball and creating a play for the defense. He uses his hands to engage and then keeps his leverage against offensive lineman. He also does a nice job of keeping contain and then either coming up field or chasing plays down the line of scrimmage. Heisler showed the ability to block well at tight end and offensive tackle. I expect him to get more opportunities next year on offense. He has recently visited Pitt and Penn State's spring practice. He has a lot of good skills on both sides of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff76407df"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054376"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1054376' first='Maleek' last='Anderson'] played right tackle for Gateway. He showed a good ability to block constantly in the run game and the passing game. In the run game, he is good at blocking down on defensive tackles. He is especially devastating at blocking defensive tackles on down blocks. When he pass blocks he moves his feet well and stays in front of defenders. Anderson showed good skills last year at offensive tackle. He recently got invited to Penn State and UConn football practices. Anderson is a talented offensive lineman.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff764087a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["991867"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='991867' first='Jaymier' last='Austin'] played as a cornerback last year for Franklin Regional. He showed good man-to-man coverage skills last year. He was good at locking down wide receivers and not letting them get open. When the ball was thrown his way, he then showed good coverage skills to knock down the ball thrown his way. He also showed good zone coverage ability by playing the man, the ball, and his zone. Austin is a good cornerback prospect who recently visited Akron University.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640903"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff76409ac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388167"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='388167' first='Carlos' last='Diggs'] is a difference-maker at defensive back. He has good coverage skills and makes a ton of plays in the back end of the Gateway defense. Below is what I wrote about him earlier this year:rnrnu0022He shows good coverage skills. He is good in both man-to-man coverage and zone. In both types of defenses, he shows good skills. He is particularly good at reading the quarterback and the wide receiver and then making a play on the ball. When the ball is thrown his way, he does a good job anticipating the ball to break up the pass or create an interception. Diggs is a talented defensive back that has all the tools to play at an even higher levelu0022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640a40"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155905"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1155905' first='Kaiyen' last='Mbandi'] played left tackle for Gateway last year. He shows good athleticism by having the ability to move well and block defenders in the open field. He is good at pulling and kicking out. He then does a good job of blocking defensive linemen by moving his feet well. When he gets to the next level, he does an excellent job of blocking athletic players. At passing blocking Mbandi excels by moving his feet. Mbandi is the total package at left tackle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640af2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["386267"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Tristyn Tavarez flashed some serious skills at quarterback last year for Norwin. I was very impressed with his film last year. Below is what I wrote about him earlier this year:rnrnu0022Tavares has good mechanics and throws an excellent ball. He is especially good at reading the defense and making all the right throws inside the pocket. He throws an excellent deep ball in which he puts a good touch on the ball. Tavares shows good mobility and makes plays with his feet. He is especially good at throwing the ball on the run. Tavares is a talented player who should only improve going into his 2nd season as a starteru0022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640b7e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853781"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Shawn Moorefield is a good athlete who played all over the field for Gateway. On the defensive side of the ball, he played as an outside linebacker/strong safety. He scooped twice and scored on fumbles when he picked up fumbles and raced to the end zone. He showed good ability to cover at outside linebacker but also could come up and tackle well in run support. At wide receiver, he flashed good speed and big play ability. Moorefield is a good athlete who can do a lot of different things on the football field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640c08"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156078"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1156078' first='Brayden' last='Gerst'] is a good two-way player at running back and linebacker. As an inside linebacker, he shows good skills in reading his keys in the backfield and then triggering downhill to make tackles. He shows good speed to chase downplays from behind and drop in pass coverage. At running back Gerst shows a physical running style. He is hard to bring down and punishes defenders trying to tackle him. Gerst is a good player who shows good skills on both offense and defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640c8d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640d00"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1156190"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1156190' first='Landen' last='Ekiert'] played outside linebacker last year for Plum High School. He does a nice job of setting the edge and then coming up field and making the play or forcing the play inside to his other teammates. He also showed a good ability to drop in coverage and make plays defending the passing game. Ekiert shows good skills as an outside linebacker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640d80"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388161"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='388161' first='Tristan' last='Huston'] has limited film but showed good skills as a wide receiver and defensive back. He is a good athlete who has good skills. He catches the ball well at wide receiver and runs good routes. At defensive back, he has good coverage skills.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dff7640dff"} /-->