2022 Season Preview: Imhotep Charter Panthers, Upperclassmen
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The Imhotep Panthers program might be the most represented school on our site. Year after year, the talent pool continues to replenish itself, leaving Imhotep to be perennial front-runner for a State Title. Imhotep parted ways with nine ranked 2022…
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Continue ReadingThe Imhotep Panthers program might be the most represented school on our site. Year after year, the talent pool continues to replenish itself, leaving Imhotep to be perennial front-runner for a State Title. Imhotep parted ways with nine ranked 2022 prospects, many to Power Five programs, only to still find themselves squarely in the hunt for the pinnacle this Fall. The story of the 2021 Panthers rested in the hands of its elite defense, holding Pittsburgh Central Catholic and Dematha to under ten points in consecutive opening weeks. Imhotep saw its first loss early on to LaSalle in a game I attended, a game that was in hand for three quarters. Imhotep proceeded to run through the public league with ease, steamrolling teams who can’t match up with this level of talent. Awaiting to see what team can pose a challenge to the Panthers, the program rolled into the 5A State Title game after dismantling Frankford, Father Judge, Cathedral Prep, and Strath Haven by a point differential of 164-14. Yet the Panthers couldn’t seal the deal, falling to an outstanding underdog in Penn-Trafford in an overtime thriller. None of the accolades and stats matter when going down this way, Imhotep will be on a mission this Fall.
Key Departures: Enai White, Keon Wylie, Emir Stinette, Jamir Reyes, Maurice Beverly, Khalif Kemp, Tyrone Sturgis, Giovonni Graham, Rashaan Wright, Terrance Adams, Kaliem Croswell, Will Robinson, Rohji Atkinson,
You can make the case that there isn’t a defensive back in the state that is more “college-ready” than Imhotep’s Rahmir Stewart Rahmir Stewart 6’0″ | 205 lbs | DB Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA . The past Imhotep defenses have had numerous talented voices that could lead the pack. This Fall, that voice will be Rahmir Stewart Rahmir Stewart 6’0″ | 205 lbs | DB Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA ‘s. Call him a safety, call him a back, call him an athlete, doesn’t matter. This young man is a dog ready to help his program do whatever it takes to reach the top. Our eyes are peeled for Rahmir’s potential commitment, which is expected to be announced before the season begins.
Call it a reload, not a rebuild. We at Prep Redzone were huge fans of Maurice Beverly, the All-Pub middle linebacker who set the tone behind the defensive line. Beverly is on his way to West Chester University. Imhotep answers by plugging in an SEC-level prospect you’ve might of heard of in Semaj Bridgeman Semaj Bridgeman 6’2″ | 235 lbs | LB Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA , formerly out of Archbishop Wood. Bridgeman acts as the second top ten prospect on this loaded defense and we are just two prospects deep into this preview. These two alone could help any defense in Pennsylvania reach elite status. The future Michigan Wolverine wants a championship just as bad as his new teammates.
Without a doubt one of the more underappreciated prospects amongst a defense with some big-time names. We know about past talents in Enai White and Keon Wylie, we know about future talents in Whittington and Johnson. It’s time to show love to the senior IDL who is ready to make his name known in Philly. An offer from Saint Francis is just the tip of the iceberg for Mayo as a top 50 senior rank projects a Group of Five grade at the very least. A productive senior season could fulfill that projection.
Amaury Hunter Amaury Hunter 6’4″ | 210 lbs | ATH Imhotep Institute | 2023 State PA is a prospect that will more than likely enter the top 75 after this season. Somehow, we whiffed on this kid in our initial 2023 rankings back in June, we had to get that corrected with a modest Top 125 rank. Hunter is better than his rank suggests. He is in a similar situation to Mysir Mayo Mysir Mayo 6’1″ | 255 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA , an often overlooked name who is ready to be a regular on the site, and amongst college boards. 6’4, an athlete who can contribute on both sides of the ball, while also excelling on the basketball court as well.
Highlights
Although prospects like Stewart and Hunter could theoretically contribute on both sides of the ball, Corey Wright Corey Wright 5’10” | 165 lbs | ATH Imhotep Institute | 2023 State PA could reap the benefits of being the primary target through the air this Fall. Wright can also provide quality reps on both sides of the ball, yet I see his skillset best translating at wideout. Yes, Imhotep relies heavily on its run game behind massive linemen, however, Wright can serve as an athlete who can work in the short/intermediate areas if and when Imhotep decides to throw the ball. He’ll be yet another weapon at the coaching staff’s disposal. Excited to see his role expand.
Lamar Muldrow Lamar Muldrow 6’0″ | 185 lbs | DB Imhotep Institute | 2023 State PA and Asir Moore Asir Moore 5’11” | 170 lbs | RB Imhotep Charter | 2023 PA are sleepers on this site, both of which I expect to contribute to the 2022 title run. Muldrow had his hand in making plays for the 2021 Panthers, coming up and making some big stops as a backend safety. Muldrow will be seasoned in run support and should be a trusted component on defense. Asir Moore Asir Moore 5’11” | 170 lbs | RB Imhotep Charter | 2023 PA , who is currently on our watchlist, could end up being a piece to the passing game puzzle. Depending on rep share and utilization, the 6’0 wideout could carve out a role in the offense.
The underclassmen phenoms, now turned veterans, will be the driving force for any potential title run. The top ten duo of Jahsear Whittington Jahsear Whittington 6’1″ | 280 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA and Kenny Woseley Jr. Kenny Woseley Jr. 6’0″ | 170 lbs | DB Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA are what set Imhotep apart from your run-of-the-mill title contenders. Enough can be done with Stewart and Bridgemen alone, it’s when you add an additional set of elite defensive stalwarts that things begin to look overwhelming. Hard to imagine that these two were just sophomores a year ago, now they’ve got a chip on their shoulder and have something to prove. Jahsear Whittington Jahsear Whittington 6’1″ | 280 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA , our top-ranked 2024 defensive linemen, recently announced his commitment to another Panther program, Pittsburgh fans will have their eyes on Jahsear this Fall, hoping to get a glimpse of what the future will provide. We all await Kenny Woseley’s commitment, announcing his future intentions sometime this month. No matter where Woseley chooses to attend or where he’s ranked, I know where to find elite A1 cornerback play this Fall. That’ll be under the lights at Cumberland Valley HS watching this young man work Week One against Bishop McDevitt.
The folks down at Imhotep are still not happy with David Johnson David Johnson 6’0″ | 265 lbs | DL Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA ‘s rank. That goes to show just how talented this kid must be. A small but important thing to remember when discussing his rank is his current recruitment, which is actually slower than his film suggests. You could make a case that some Group of Five programs that recruit in Philadelphia should already have their hands on this kid, his film proves it. Nonetheless, no matter what’s happening off the field, he’s going to have to take care of business at defensive line. Johnson fits in perfectly inside with Whittington and Mayo. Good luck to the ball carriers that want to run inside the trenches against these three.
Finally, we get to the man behind center. Yes, Imhotep’s bread and butter for years has been the run game. Yet Mikal Davis Jr. Mikal Davis Jr. 6’0″ | 200 lbs | QB Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA and his arm could unlock some hidden potential in this system. It’s hard to not hand the ball off to the stable of elite running backs but don’t get it twisted, Davis Jr. is capable of making some wow throws if given the opportunity. Thankfully, there isn’t too much pressure on the young man to do so. Davis’ stock could trend upward, so long as the offseason work and development comes to light this Fall.
Joshua Lee-White Joshua Lee-White 6’4″ | 285 lbs | OL Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA is a relative unknown to me personally. That and his limited tape is the reason for his modest initial ranking. I’m inclined to believe the coaching staff will mold this kid into a special prospect given their track record of great offensive line play in recent years. White is 6’4, weighing in at 300-pounds. Take camp clips for what they are worth, White’s clips show his hands and feet moving in sync and with a purpose. I’m willing to bet this kid will be hearing calls this time next year.
The next three prospects are all kids to keep your eye on if you follow Imhotep. There isn’t too much tape on any of them, you can piece together some highlights and twitter clips to make the statement that they could be valuable assets to the Panther title run.
I’m most interested in Zafir Stewart Zafir Stewart 6’5″ | 330 lbs | OL Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA . A 6’5, 320-pound potential left tackle who can dunk. Not much more needs to be said. He and Joshua Lee-White Joshua Lee-White 6’4″ | 285 lbs | OL Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA could fill the hole left behind by Kaliem Croswell and Emir Stinette. Both Johann Hennigan Johann Hennigan 6’0″ | 200 lbs | TE Imhotep Charter | 2024 State PA and Anthony Rosser Anthony Rosser 5’8″ | 165 lbs | ATH Imhotep Charter | 2024 PA could provide sparks on offense as well. Under the radar prospects like these are what title runs are about.