Pennsylvania Sophomores Worthy of FBS Offers Today

<p class="text-gray-700">Getting any semblance of playing time as a freshman at St. Joseph's Prep is noteworthy alone. Plugging in this young man's tape, you'll understand why I'm so high on his potential as a future blue-chip recruit. Making the most of his opportunities on varsity, [player_tooltip player_id='415073' first='Masiia' last='Acrey'] returned numerous punts for positive yardage, showing off his skills with the football in the open field. St. Joe's likes to make sure prospects are prepared to play more than one position, especially if the talent and versatility are to be had in a player. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Projecting where Acrey could align in 2024 is tough considering his early involvement in all three phases of the game. Wideout is an option, Ramier Hardy, [player_tooltip player_id='145459' first='Alijah' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='386092' first='Jamir' last='Rowe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1089718' first='Jett' last='Harrison'] are also options here heading into 2024. Acrey manning a corner spot might be likely as well, with Brandon Lockley (LB/DB), [player_tooltip player_id='402465' first='Simaj' last='Hill'], and [player_tooltip player_id='281289' first='Ryan' last='McDonald'] being a few DBs to watch on the depth chart. Kick/punt return opportunities are likely to be had as well. Either way you shape it, [player_tooltip player_id='415073' first='Masiia' last='Acrey'] is in prime position to stand out in one of the Nation's top football programs. Acrey has the talent to thrive in said position, I'm expecting big-time programs to pull the trigger on his game sooner rather than later. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1716590513506127882 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">The star sophomore over at Wyomissing, who is likely to see a move to "ATH" after this ranking update is completed, has already drawn interest from FBS programs recruiting Pennsylvanian underclassmen. One of the better freshman tapes I've tuned in to watch in some time. There isn't much projecting to do, there's no guessing game when talking [player_tooltip player_id='453138' first='Justice' last='Hardy']'s future at Wyomissing. What you saw as a freshman is likely what you're going to get for the foreseeable future.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Hardy begins his tape peeking at the quarterback from his cornerback position, biting on a weak out-route and picking it off for a defensive score. I once thought of Hardy exclusively as a collegiate back, yet on my second play-through of his tape, I can't help but feel that through further development, Hardy could garner interest at DB, despite somewhat questionable measurables. Hardy proceeds to show off offensive prowess at wideout and back when deployed on offense. The young man looks like an upperclassman, the way he breaks tackles, the balance and body control, the understanding of leverage, the understanding of pursuit angles. This kid is way beyond his years on the football field, recruiting should intensify because of it. Can be sent off the edge to blitz QBs, can be utilized in the screen game, can work as the primary back. The future is bright, so bright that if I was a MAC school looking to be first on a 2027, I'd call Hardy's line. Fantastic upside here. Worth noting he's a track and basketball participant.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JusticeHardy12/status/1733571034580681177 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Many outside of the know question who [player_tooltip player_id='154352' first='Stone' last='Saunders'] is going to throw to now that Rico Scott is out of the building. Domo Diaz is going to take on that role, but let's not forget about [player_tooltip player_id='521111' first='Jontai' last='Quick']. Quick, an incoming sophomore, was able to carve out a respectable slot role for himself alongside some of the bigger names Bishop McDevitt deployed in 2023.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">You could find Quick manning inside slot alignments, attacking all areas of the field but making his mark after the catch. A YAC kid, get him the football in creative ways and watch him work. Quick was often deployed out of the backfield to catch swings, outs to the flat, wheels, among other routes. Sure hands, hands that have made the McDevitt coaching staff comfortable enough to bump his usage this coming Fall. Bubbe, tunnel, and pop screens to Quick are all easy play calls to gain positive yardage. I do wonder if Quick can double as a DB in 2024. I have no idea if this is even needed, not sure who is in the DB stable at McDevitt, they seemingly always churn out great DBs. I wonder if Quick can amply his versatile skillset on the defensive side of the football. His talents translate, especially his straight-line speed, might be useful along the boundaries. A move to two-way would do wonders for his stock, a stock I would buy into today. An FBS program should pull the trigger on this kid sooner rather than later. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jontai_quick/status/1732119851315921329 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">The three mentioned above don't need too much fanfare, they each have bandwagons following along their trail through high school recruitment. [player_tooltip player_id='916004' first='Carter' last='Vassa'], a sophomore out of Bethlehem Catholic, doesn't have said parade shouting out his name to the masses. I might be the lone voice, outside of his inner circle and surrounding community, who believes he's in the same tier as some of the names mentioned above. Wyomissing, McDevitt, SJP, they've all churned out stars at the collegiate level, that isn't always the case for BecaHi. Some might be weary to stamp Vassa because of this, I'd argue anyone thinking this to turn on this kid's tape. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Otherworldly speed and acceleration skills. I'm unsure if Vassa runs track, but based on some of his vertical reps, based on how he runs by DBs, I hope someone gets him on the track sooner rather than later. Racked up 800 yards through the air as a freshman, this on 42 receptions, gaudy numbers for an incoming freshman. Nine of those 42 receptions went for scores, Vassa also dominated in the secondary for BecaHi. Has a gear he can hit that can break angles set by DBs who have ten yards of space ahead of Vassa. Multiple one-hand receptions recorded on tape show off Vassa's next-level hand-eye coordination and body control. Is just 5'11, yet can sky for balls that often have you thinking he's 6'2+. Can be tasked with hitting all three levels of the field. Vassa can score on nines, digs, hitches, screens, you name it, he's a walking weapon. Vassa eats on offense, but don't sleep on his potential at corner. That unreal speed can be just as damaging to an offense as it can be to a defense. Good luck out-pacing Vassa if attacking the secondary vertically down the boundary. It's unlikely you are going to beat him with speed alone. Vassa's tracking ability translates when at corner as well, quite the complete athlete at Bethlehem Catholic's disposal. Some might be reluctant to recruit District 11 early, I've witnessed many programs miss out on potential studs because of it. Don't be late on Vassa, be early. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/cartervassa/status/1726344847252963750 </div></figure>