A top 400 Pennsylvania 2028 prospect out of North Allegheny High School who is making a strong case to eventually become a top 50 wide receiver in his class. He remains just outside that positional range for now, but I’ve been particularly high on his potential since evaluating his sophomore film. Previously listed at 5’11, 170 pounds, he is now reporting measurements of 6’0, 190 pounds, representing an impressive 20-pound increase while adding an inch to his frame. He also plays baseball as an outfielder and maintains an excellent 4.1 GPA. My biggest concern is his limited activity throughout the current season. He has only posted once and hasn’t provided an update in nearly five weeks. I won’t hold that against him until the season concludes and we have a clearer understanding of his situation, but I would certainly appreciate more recent film from a prospect with this much potential.

Through his first three games, he recorded 16 receptions for 250 yards and three touchdowns, providing exactly the type of production I hoped to see following his sophomore campaign. His available film reinforces why I have been so interested in his development, particularly as a slot receiver. His opening highlight features him aligned inside in a five-wide shotgun formation. He releases vertically, works outside a flat-footed safety and quickly creates separation downfield. The result is approximately a 70-yard slot fade touchdown, with the defender unable to recover or catch him before he reaches the end zone. I love the way he recognizes the coverage opportunity and attacks vertically without hesitation. It is an excellent example of his ability to threaten defenses from an interior receiving alignment rather than relying exclusively on underneath routes.

His second highlight features him in nearly the same alignment, once again working from the slot in a five-wide formation. This time, he runs a whip route toward the flat, secures the reception and immediately becomes dangerous after the catch. He outpaces his initial matchup, forces another defender to miss and finishes the play for a touchdown of approximately 30 yards. This isn’t a situation where the offense simply creates an uncontested path to the end zone. He has to make something happen after securing the football, and his acceleration, elusiveness and ability to navigate traffic allow him to finish the play. Those first two highlights demonstrate two important elements of his receiving profile: the ability to stretch the field vertically and the ability to create explosive gains underneath.

His third rep features him running a crossing route off play action, where he demonstrates the separation ability and route discipline that originally caught my attention. He maintains appropriate depth while working across the field, giving his quarterback an accessible throwing window without drifting unnecessarily into coverage. I appreciate his understanding of spacing and how to remain available throughout the development of the passing concept. His fourth highlight provides another strong example of that awareness. Aligned inside, he attacks the middle of the field on what resembles a seam-bender route, adjusting his path to maintain separation from the safety and preserve a clear throwing window. He understands where the coverage is positioned and how to manipulate his route without compromising the timing of the play.

That situational awareness is what makes him such an intriguing slot receiver. He understands spacing, pacing and tempo, and he appears comfortable operating within both two-man and three-man passing concepts. He doesn’t need every reception schemed open for him, nor does he rely solely on straight-line speed. His ability to recognize defensive positioning, adjust his route and maintain separation gives him a strong technical foundation. Combined with his improved size and demonstrated production, those traits make him a particularly promising receiving prospect. The additional 20 pounds are encouraging, especially if he has maintained the same movement ability and explosiveness that made his sophomore film so impressive.

Overall, this remains one of my favorite wide receiver prospects in Pennsylvania’s 2028 class, and I believe he has a legitimate opportunity to climb into our positional top 50. His early-season production, physical development and impressive understanding of slot receiver responsibilities all support that projection. I particularly appreciate his ability to create explosive plays both vertically and after the catch while demonstrating the route awareness necessary to succeed within more complex passing concepts. My only real hesitation is the lack of recent film. I would love to know where he’s been over the last several weeks and whether he has continued producing at the same level. Hopefully, a complete junior season highlight reel becomes available soon, because there is a great deal to like about his collegiate potential, and I’m eager to continue following his development.

Ben Kern Ben Kern 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR North Allegheny | 2028 State PA is a weapon in the passing game as a wide receiver. He runs good routes and catches the ball well. He is excellent at making defenders miss in the open field. He also shows a good ability to catch the ball in between defenders. Kern displays excellent wide receiver skills, and I expect a big year from him.