Rankings Re-Evaluation, Which Prospects Did I Miss On?

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• 6’0, 160
• self-reported (4.4 40) (10.61) 100m

Not sure how an FBS prospect fell between the cracks, this one is a tough miss on my part. Offers out of Temple and Monmouth, Conestoga Valley’s Jayden Johnson Jayden Johnson 6’0″ | 160 lbs | WR Conestoga Valley | 2025 State PA finished his junior season accounting for 26 total TDs on offense. Turning on his junior tape only makes me more embarrassed, Johnson boasting nine minutes worth of production. A back with great size, light on his feet in terms of weight. Tall, but still carries a low center of gravity. First rep on tape has Johnson taking a jet-sweep out of 11 personnel, seeing the alley/lane with good pacing and vision. Hits said alley like a rocket, kid has two/three different gears he can hit, acceleration skills are a plus. Reps as a kick returner further validate his open-field vision and acceleration capabilities. Can break a game open in a flash. Speed that can outpace deep angles set by secondary players. Incredible balance, floats through the trenches when tasked with running between the tackles. Can maintain speed while reading the flow of the defense, natural feel for the position. An elite weapon that can be aligned at inside or outside slot, can work with or without TEs or FBs. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnson work at X at the high school level either. An athlete like this would succeed at DB easily. Although I think he’s capable of becoming an FBS back, I think there’s room to inquire and experiment, talking about the potential at the DB position. Easily a top 50 2025 after watching this tape.

t
• 6’0, 175
• basketball participant

Recently picked up his first FCS offer out of Robert Morris. Previously heard back from Carnegie Mellon in the form of a roster spot. No excuse to not have a pivotal piece of the 5A State Runner-Ups, that being Peters Township. Love the games boasted by many at this program, unsure how DB/WR Nick McCullough Nick McCullough 6’0″ | 175 lbs | ATH Peters Township | 2025 State PA slipped through the cracks. Five interceptions to his name, not a single TD responsible for on tape. First rep has McCullough stretching the field from the slot, he can likely align at either inside or out. 500+ yards of receiving racked up, that’s not a number to laugh at or ignore. Thing is, McCullough’s reps at DB are so impressive, I’m almost tempted to dismiss his prowess at wideout. Programs recruiting him are going to take into account the young man’s complete package. McCullough can get up, the junior can elevate on the run to be an assertive force on the football whether he’s at DB or wideout. Tracking, hand-eye coordination, his work at the catch point, this is a junior who clearly earned the trust of both offensive and defensive coaches over at PT. Likely going to explode in terms of production this coming Fall, I wouldn’t expect anything different, no TDs allowed. Interested in learning about his potential recruiting ceiling. PSACs and D3s will be all over him, yet I can put major FCS interest out of the realm of possibility, especially after the RMU stamp. Great player.

t
• 3.8 GPA
• basketball participant

Recently picked up an offer from Colgate University. Tape starts with Buzalka aligning in-line and releasing. Gets his head around quickly, the kid is ball-conscience, knows when he’s open past the backer unit. Is a better athlete than presumed based on build. I’m sure this athleticism transfers over to the court. Next few reps show off Buzalka’s ability to hunt the quarterback or BC with his hand off the dirt from a 3-4 OLB alignment. A bit raw in terms of pass-rush moves, he’s playing both ways so tough to expect Buzalka to have already developed counter moves. An athlete off the edge, Buzalka carries ideal length in limbs, utilizes them to his advantage. Can stab/jab tackles to orbit the edge and get to the QB. Does a great job getting vertical and tracking back down, kid clearly responds to coaching well. A legitimate two-way game-changer that needs to be accounted for by opposing OCs and DCs. I personally think Buzalka can play TE at the FCS level, there are blocking and pass-catching reps littered across his junior tape that validate athleticism, strength, and versatility. I know coaches will explore EDGE/OLB possibilities, his tape is too good not to do so. Likely a top 150 player.

t
• 6’2, 175
• 4.2 GPA
• basketball participant

Received an FBS offer from UNLV Football at the beginning of the year. Phenomenal build for DB/WR action, phenomenal GPA too. No season tape on Hudl, the UNLV offer is a bit of a head-scratcher from this perspective. Kid lights it up in the 7v7 setting, his build and GPA certainly make him desirable, yet I sadly don’t have tape to dissect here. Worth mentioning that Portis is not a 2025 like many on this list, he still has ample time to put two years’ worth of tape together over at East Allegheny.

t
• 6’2, 225

Quite the year for the sophomore edge rusher out of Trinity HS. Unsure how this sophomore fell off my radar, especially while at a prominent program like Trinity. Currently holds offers out of Group of Five programs like UMass and Akron. Smith’s tape cements his place among FBS programs’ boards, same tape will cement him among the best prospects inside the class of 2026. Eight sacks, an FBS build that looks chiseled from what I can tell. Rock solid frame that is a legitimate 6’2.5 via coaches at the program. Unreal pursuit skills, Smith’s first step with his hand in the dirt (DE) has him a lock to play all three downs. No coming off the field. Although Smith is stationed as a down lineman in the front four, I don’t have a doubt he can align with his hand off the dirt in a traditional OLB stance. Jucie to his game, kid can fly off the ball, dip his shoulders, show off some bend, and finish at the QB. Better closing speed to the football then some of his teammates who weigh 20-30 pounds less than he does. A tone-settor, energy-bringer, Smith plays with an attitude and finishes reps with authority. Can get vertical in the pocket, shed, and run to the football like some of the best in his class. Can set the edge and play the run with discipline. Upper and lower body strength alone are enough to win reps, his slippery hips and hand strikes are just icing on the cake. An excellent locater of the football while in-phase. I can go on and on, this is a potentially elite OLB playing DE/EDGE in a 4-3 base D.

t
• 6’4, 230

Might be new to football, has no clips outside of his junior highlight reel. His seasonal tape doubles down on that notion. Can double as an OLB/DE. Has the ideal size for the position but relies on strength and athleticism when winning reps. This is a kid I’d love to bring into a camp to fully understand what kind of athlete we are working with. This is a name I’d have no problem throwing to PSAC schools that are recruiting the area. Looks like a 6’4 ball of muscle, want to see how he improves year over end. Build alone should bring eyes to his tape, has good knockback after the snap. Some reps displayed where Herr is thwarted initially, has a good motor and leg drive to still shed and win reps despite initial absorption. Solid prospect.