Unit Preview: Neumann & Goretti's Defense

We continue our deep dive into some of the most talented units in Pennsylvania. Today’s piece has led us to another Philadelphia team who’s defense boasts two top 40 seniors and seven total ranked players. St. John Neumann & Maria Goretti Catholic High School, St.Joesph’s main competition in the PCL, deploys a talented secondary that will be included in this article in its entirety. This defense showcases talent from all classes to show the future can continue to be special.

- 5’10", 170lbs, DB, C/O 2021 Johnson is currently ranked as our 21st best senior prospect and is holding offers from some of the best programs in the country, including Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. Whichever program is lucky enough to land this kid is going to land an absolute playmaker. Johnson is the best player on the field every time he takes to the turf. The 4-star recruit’s best trait is his position versatility. He can break open a game as a kick or punt returner where he displays awesome wheels and great open-field vision. Good things happen when this kid has the ball in his hands with space to work with. Johnson primarily plays safety for N&G where he displays good range and can lead the defense from a cerebral standpoint. He has outstanding instincts at safety when it comes to both playing the run and pass. He has a knack for being around the football and causing turnovers as most great defensive players with his ball skills often do. Can contribute as at corner if need be. He also gives reps at wideout and running back on offense. Johnson does whatever is needed of him and always brings energy to the game. He is a somewhat short player standing at just 5’9" but he carries his weight well, having a chiseled, muscular build. - 6’7", 210lbs, DL/OLB, C/O 2021 Size and athleticism is Gentry’s calling card and for obvious reasons. The 6’7", 210lb Arizona State commit can contribute all along the front seven, whether he’s asked to rush the passer with his hand in the dirt or standing up at OLB, or to play the pass and cover pass catchers of any size. The 37th ranked senior prospect loves to rush the passer with speed but is often just too massive a player to block. Gentry is very active with his hands and loves to go for the ball when sacking quarterbacks, where he is often successful. The athleticism is on full display on his Hudl profile where he is shown covering wideouts downfield and making plays on balls he shouldn’t even in position to contest. Thus the D1 level interest. Gentry looks to be freakish Outside Linebacker who excels in space at the next level depending on how he develops at ASU. He has the ability to solely rush the passer with speed and athleticism but I personally believe he can contribute beyond this role. - 6’3", 185lbs, DB, C/O 2022 Collins, a soon-to-be junior cornerback has the ideal body structure and height-weight combination to play along the sidelines. Not too thin but long arms and great set of wheels to keep up with speedy wideouts downfield. Really like how disciplined he is as far as alignment, technique at the line of scrimmage and footwork in his backpedal goes. He understands where to be at all times and it often leads to easy interceptions off tipped balls. He holds a ton of value to the defense as he can also play a little single high safety. Not enough light is shed on his tackling which is a pretty refined part of his game. He plays downhill against the run when single high, sets the edge really well after shedding blocks when playing outside and takes really good angles when chasing down players who may have broken free. He can be trusted to make touchdown-saving tackles as the last line of defense. - 6’1", 225lbs, LB, C/O 2022 is a fierce competitor at the middle linebacker spot. He has a legit shot at being one of the best junior linebackers in all of Pennsylvania and currently sits at number two behind LaSalle’s . Johnson, who also gives reps at RB, has a powerful and athletic frame that suits his playing style well. He’s a playmaker who had two scoop and scores this past season, as well as a pick-six. Johnson takes on every play and every block with a full head of steam, looking to dominate the man in front of him. He’s got the attitude and thump necessary to excel at MLB. Johnson moves laterally really well to avoid second-level blocks. His experience playing running back has really helped his read and react ability, where it genuinely looks like he’s hitting holes faster than the offense is. He’s a dominant tackler who will bring you down if he gets his hands on you. He’s also a timely blitzer who can make plays in the backfield for you. - 6’0", 205lbs, LB, C/O 2022 is the 3rd junior on this list thus far. Warren feeds off of at the opposing linebacker spot where he is able to blitz and shoot gaps freely. Warren is a quick and instinctual player who is stunning quick to react to the run game. He’s in the backfield early and often disrupting the run game as much as possible. He’s a low tackler and an opportunist who loves to strip and force fumbles. He does a great job breaking down in the open field and loves to use his hands to shed blockers at the second level. Warren’s a high effort player who has good catch up speed and takes good angles to make tackles downfield. He’s a little thin framed but this helps him play with speed and quickness and really helps him excel as a blitzer. I noticed a ton of lower body strength, he can easily absorb and stalemate blockers in their tracks when attempting to reach him at the second level. - 5’11", 175lbs, DB, C/O 2023 Battle sits as our second best 2023 prospect and has all the ability to be the most coveted player in all of PA when his time comes. For now, we will examine his excellent freshman season and how he excels on the football field. The star defensive back stands out as a press corner. He really shines at the line of scrimmage and is the perfect fit in this secondary. Tysheem does a little of everything, while Collins likes to play off and takes more of a cerebral conservative approach to corner, likes to man you up and make things difficult for wideouts at the line of scrimmage. He plays outside breaking routes really well, sinking his hips at the top of routes and staying in phase throughout. His hand placement when jamming at the LOS is special and beyond his years. He’s got strong arms that aren’t easily tossed away and a solid set of wheels let him stay with guys when attacking vertically. He does a good job shedding blocks and makes the most of his opportunities when tackling. As it goes for most 2023 prospects, there’s a ton of room to grow. His footwork and pad level when back pedaling aren’t always consistent but this is something most corners of any class are working to iron out. He often trusts his speed to stay with guys when being targeted deep, rather than trusting his hips to open the correct way or play with leverage. There are many times he could use the sideline or his help over the top too actually be in a better position, but these are nitpicks at an otherwise stellar freshman campaign. - 5’10", 170lbs, DB, C/O 2022 Cameau is the overlooked and rawest prospect of the bunch. He excels as a box safety and plays like his head is on fire. That is a compliment by the way, as he is looking to level you every opportunity he can. With the talent behind him, he can play freely and not think so much. His game is one dimensional but that being said, he does a great job of what is asked of him. The junior has a compact and brawny build which is perfect for his hard-hitting style of play. Camaeu brings the energy play in and play out and it shows on film. We will keep our eye on Camaeu this coming season to really see how much he develops. The film was limited but hopefully, we can get a better look at just how high his stock can rise as a prospect.