Mekhi Graham and Matthew Gregory Dismantle Avon Grove
In this article:
A deeper piece covering the entire OJR-Avon Grove game coming at a later date.
- 20-yard run
- 1-yard TD
- 22-yard run
- 70-yard house call for TD
Made the trip out to Avon Grove to make sure I saw the Owen J. Roberts sophomore tandem consisting of
Mekhi Graham
Mekhi
Graham
5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH
Owen J. Roberts | 2027
State
PA
and
Matthew Gregory
Matthew
Gregory
6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH
Owen J. Roberts | 2027
State
PA
. Identified both of these young men early in the process, I’m more than glad to see the two see traction in recruiting as well. I’ve come across equally talented prospects who, for whatever reason, don’t get the stamp of approval this early into their careers, despite it being deserved.
Speaking on how Graham looked in person, he looked like an FBS prospect among relatively average prospects. This a good thing, if you’re a true next-level prospect, you need to stand out. That Graham did, both athletically as well as via production. Nearly 200 yards of offense, OJR can feature Graham in any which way they desire. Inside or outside zone runs, option sets with their QB, out of gun or under center, in the passing game too. Graham is alignment versatile, he proved that after the live evaluation. Size checks out, is a bigger back but plenty of burst in him. Saw him bounce a few runs and attempt to turn on the jets. Saw Graham run tough between the tackles, saw Graham lower his shoulder to finish runs. Graham also plays a role on the defensive side of the football, this game told me a lot about his level of conditioning, kid hardly came off the field. His 70-yard run for a score proved he can serve as a home run hitter, hitting the gas pedal after making a DB miss at the second-level.
A top 25 prospect who looked like one on the field.
Mekhi Graham
Mekhi
Graham
5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH
Owen J. Roberts | 2027
State
PA
currently sits on two offers, both of which out of premier ACC programs that heavily recruit Pennsylvania. The two programs being Pitt and Syracuse. 3.6 GPA, look for MAC schools to get involved sooner rather than later. Graham hasn’t received his last Power Four offer, yet I expect his list of offers to grow via G5 programs sooner rather than later.
Highlights
- 45-yard reception
- 85-yard TD catch
- 7-yard reception
Three catches on the night, two of which had OJR fans hype on the sideline. Early into this ball game, Gregory showed off the chemistry he and Corey Schock
Corey
Schock
6'0" | 190 lbs | QB
Owen J Roberts | 2025
State
PA
have built, working well with his QB after a play broke down. You can find the highlight below, the top-five wideout hauling in a 45-yard bomb to open up play in this game. Gregory has the burners to torch a defense at any given moment. The linear speed, the ability to accelerate past DB regardless of on/off coverage pre-snap. I’ll admit, there aren’t many District One DBs that can handle a perimeter threat like this one. A secondary is going to have to stay on it’s toes and send safety help with each passing reps. Dealing with Graham is enough of a hassle, having to deal with Gregory’s ability to strike at any moment is overkill.
Just before halftime, Gregory and Schock would take advantage of an asleep secondary and break coverage for a walk-in 85-yard catch. Like I mentioned with Mekhi Graham
Mekhi
Graham
5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH
Owen J. Roberts | 2027
State
PA
, Gregory also mans a DB position, #5 hardly comes off the field.
OJR was led by Graham all night long, the program had no problem handing the ball off to their star back 25+ times. Despite the game plan, Gregory was able to affect the game positively and provide Schock with a vertical threat each passing down.
Speaking on recruiting for a moment, Matthew Gregory
Matthew
Gregory
6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH
Owen J. Roberts | 2027
State
PA
recently broke news that A Big Ten program had offered him. Prior to this, Syracuse was the young man’s lone offer, likely coming after the breakout of
Mekhi Graham
Mekhi
Graham
5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH
Owen J. Roberts | 2027
State
PA
. Gregory now holds a stamp of approval out of Penn State University, his premier track numbers (10.6 100M, 21.5 200M) making Gregory an easy sophomore to offer. 3.5 GPA, look for the Buffalo’s and Rutgers’ of the world to make a play on Gregory at some point in the future. I think there’s a real chance Syracuse and Penn State like Gregory at DB, despite the majority of his quality reps coming while aligned at wideout.
Check out a pair of highlights below.
