Luke Gialanella
Luke Gialanella
About Luke
Expert Analysis
Vic Castillo | Prep Redzone Scout
Ran for nearly 500 yards as a sophomore over at Pope John XXIII. A name and face I’m all too familiar with, as I’ve watched Gialanella perform several times at NY/NJ camps over the years. Excited to see him in a different setting. 5’8, 180 pounds. 3.95 GPA. Ranked as a top five back among Jersey 2027’s, high praise. Currently unoffered.
Gialanella will be representing Hail Mary Football Academy this weekend.
Below is what was said about Gialanella in a post-camp piece written by NJ lead Brendan Mankarious.
There are not too many backs that can move like Luke Gialanella
Luke Gialanella 5'6" | 165 lbs | RB Pope John XXIII | 2027 State NJ can. Smooth like melted butter, he moves better than he typically times when tested. Gialanella absolutely kills linebackers with sharp-cutting routes. That aside, this prospect seems as though he is an outright good football player. Gialanella adjusts to balls thrown behind him and ahead of him with effortlessly, with advance proficiency. With Tylik Hill
Tylik Hill 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Pope John | 2025 State NJ graduating, it will be awesome to see what Gialanella get more run at Pope John in the fall.
Sophomore Season Highlights!
13 Games Played
82 Rushing Attempts
470 Rushing Yards
7 Touchdowns
5.7 Yards Per Carry@PopeJohnLionsFB @CoachGaston_ @CoachBrianGibbs @PrepRedzoneNJ @TeamGetBodied @rob_mehr @BrendanScoutsNJ @AlPopsFootball https://t.co/LwDGW3Gthc— Luke Gialanella
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Read EvaluationBrendan Mankarious | Prep Redzone Scout
Wingspan: 62.5″
Hand size: 8.8″
There are not too many backs that can move like
Luke Gialanella
Luke
Gialanella
5'6" | 165 lbs | RB
Pope John XXIII | 2027
State
NJ
can. Smooth like melted butter, he moves better than he typically times when tested. Gialanella absolutely kills linebackers with sharp-cutting routes. That aside, this prospect seems as though he is an outright good football player. Gialanella adjusts to balls thrown behind him and ahead of him with effortlessly, with advance proficiency. With
Tylik Hill
Tylik
Hill
5'9" | 180 lbs | RB
Pope John | 2025
State
NJ
graduating, it will be awesome to see what Gialanella get more run at Pope John in the fall.
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Read EvaluationEarnest Daniels | Prep Redzone Scout
Luke Gialanella
Luke
Gialanella
5'6" | 165 lbs | RB
Pope John XXIII | 2027
State
NJ
may not be the most enormous back at 5’7” and 150 pounds, but his impact on Pope John is undeniable. Luke has shown he can carry the load as a reliable complement to star running back
Tylik Hill
Tylik
Hill
5'9" | 180 lbs | RB
Pope John | 2025
State
NJ
. What stands out most is his burst through the hole. He’s quick and agile, but his ability to stay balanced after contact separates him from other smaller backs. He doesn’t go down quickly.
Luke is tough, showing he can power through defenders and keep his legs churning. His intelligence on the field also shines as he makes intelligent decisions and creates opportunities in the open field. Despite his size, he isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder near the goal line. He has proven dependable in red zone situations, punching it in for critical touchdowns.
For Pope John, Luke is more than just a backup. He’s critical to their offensive success, delivering whenever his number is called.
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Read EvaluationVic Castillo | Prep Redzone Scout
Luke Gialanella
Luke
Gialanella
5'6" | 165 lbs | RB
Pope John XXIII | 2027
State
NJ
caught my eye first and foremost because I recognized him after attending several PRZ Next camps with Al Pops in New Jersey. Seeing him grow up a bit and work with the HS kids is awesome to see. I do want to note that he didn’t just compete with this group, he was arguably a Top Performer looking back. Gialanella had a cut-up build years back, good to see he’s prepped his body well for HS ball over at Pope John XXIIII. Love this kid’s balance and burst. Probably the best quick twitch and change of direction skills of anyone on this list which is saying something. I haven’t taken a peek at what he did as a freshman over at PJX, but I’d bet he’s a tough tackle in open space. Hopefully we get to see the guys in NJ rank him this coming off-season. I’d put my money on that.
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Read EvaluationAlan Popadines | Prep Redzone Scout
-Without question one of the top eighth-grade Running Back’s in the state of New Jersey for the class of 2027 at this point
-First met him when he was in sixth-grade and I swear there hasn’t been an ounce of fat on him since that day. Good genetics and obvious time spent working out have turned him into a very chiseled young prospect
-Gialanella will be off to Pope John High School in the fall. The varsity Lions have experienced substantial success in the past, but haven’t had a winning season since 2017. He should contribute there early
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Read EvaluationEvent Results
-
Combine Series: New York/New Jersey
05/04/2025
- 40 Yard Dash #1
- 4.97
- 40 Yard Dash #2
- 4.97
- Shuttle #1
- 4.91
- Shuttle #2
- 4.87
- Broad Jump #1
- 8
- Broad Jump #2
- 8
- L Drill #1
- 7.63
- L Drill #2
- 7.5
- Vertical #1
- -
- Vertical #2
- -
- Wingspan
- -
- Hand Size
- 8
Player Claimed
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Event Results
-
Combine Series: New York/New Jersey
05/04/2025
- 40 Yard Dash #1
- 4.97
- 40 Yard Dash #2
- 4.97
- Shuttle #1
- 4.91
- Shuttle #2
- 4.87
- Broad Jump #1
- 8
- Broad Jump #2
- 8
- L Drill #1
- 7.63
- L Drill #2
- 7.5
- Vertical #1
- -
- Vertical #2
- -
- Wingspan
- -
- Hand Size
- 8