Penn State Target John Reid Among Players On Philly Catholic League “Hot 16” List

by J. Cleezy

Posted August 2, 2013 6:45 am

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pennstateafter2

Picture by 247sports.com

Preps.com drops its Philadelphia Catholic League “HOT SIXTEEN” for the 2013 season.  These are sixteen football players from the Philadelphia Catholic League that we think will have either a break-out season or continue their all-league worthy performances from the 2012 season.

 

Antwain McCollum – West Catholic – Quarterback – ‘15

McCollum passed for 1,558 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2012 season.  He threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns against LaSalle late in the 2012 season.  He was steady throughout the season and will have running back Greg White once again to lessen any pressure on him.

 Greg White – West Catholic – Running Back – ‘14

White rushed for 1,469 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Burrs in 2012.  When Dave Williams transferred to Imhotep (he’s now at South Carolina), there were not too many doubts about White being able to step in and get the job done. He currently holds offers from Temple, UMass, ODU, and 5 other schools.

Dashawn Darden – Cardinal O’Hara – Quarterback – ‘14

Darden passed for 1,607 yards and 20 touchdowns during the 2012 season.  You can make the case for him being the top 5 conversation for best Philly Catholic League football players.  On the high school level, he’s one of the better quarterbacks in Pennsylvania.  Darden will look to have a stellar 2013 season to show colleges that he can play quarterback at the next level.

Jake Cooper – Archbishop Wood – Linebacker ‘15

Cooper has started at inside linebacker since his freshman year.  He’s a rough and rugged inside linebacker who has started to get his feet a little wet in the recruiting waters.  He currently holds an offer from Temple.

Jamal Custis – Neumann-Gorretti – Wide Receiver ‘14

At 6’6”, 215 pounds, Custis is one of the best receivers in the Philly Catholic League. Custis caught 29 catches for 628 yards and scored 10 touchdowns during the 2012 season.  He currently holds 7 offers including: UMass, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Virginia.  Custis has blown up during the offseason and is no longer a secret on the football field going into the 2013 season.

 

John Reid – St. Joseph’s Prep – Defensive Back ‘15

Reid made 5 interceptions during the 2012 season.  He’s been a starter since his freshman year, which makes it seem like he’s been around forever. He’s already considered one of the top cornerbacks in the state and in his class nationally. Reid is a fast kid and I wouldn’t  be surprised if  SJP got the ball in his hands a little bit more during the upcoming season.  He’s going into his junior year and already holds an offer from several BCS schools including Alabama.  That should tell you all you need to know about his talent.

John Runyan Jr.  – St. Joseph’s Prep – Offensive Tackle  ‘15

The 6’4”, 250 pound offensive tackle gave a verbal commitment to Michigan back in late June, a week after being offered by the Wolverines.

J.T. Blyden – Cardinal O’Hara – Running Back – ‘14

After receiving offers from schools such as Rutgers and Eastern Michigan, Blyden chose to give a verbal commitment to Massachusetts on July 1, 2013.  Blyden flashed some of his potential during his sophomore year as he  rushed for 1,126 yards and 13 touchdowns while playing for Avon Grove.  He will be another weapon for the Cardinal O’Hara offensive arsenal.

Kendall Singleton – Archbishop Wood – Defensive Back – ‘14

Singleton made 1st Team as a defensive back for the Philly Catholic League AAA division in 2012.  Pound for pound, he’s one of the best defensive backs in the whole Philly Catholic League.

Lamont Veal – Cardinal O’Hara – Athlete – ‘14

It should be considered a crime the way Veal is underrated on the recruiting scene.  Veal rushed for 453 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns during the 2012 season.   He is one of the fastest players in the state and score from anywhere on the field.  Don’t sleep on him.

Ryan Bates – Archbishop Wood – Offensive Tackle – ‘15

It seems like “The Wood” pumps out Division 1 caliber offensive lineman year after year.  Bates is no exception.  The 6’5”, 280 pound lineman has a “who’s who” list of offers from schools such as: Georgia Tech, Penn State, South Carolina, Temple, and West Virginia.  He is the best lineman recruit in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2015.

Olamide Zaccheaus – St. Joseph’s Prep – Running Back ‘15

Rushed for 769 yards and scored 8 total touchdowns during the 2012 season while sharing carries with Vincent Moffett.  Like Moffett, “O” is a little but under the radar as far as recruitment goes.  The Philly AAAA Catholic League is rough terrain to go through, but if Zaccheaus can put up a 1,000 yard season rushing the ball, he may help his own cause while helping SJP win a state title.

Patrick Amara – West Catholic – Safety – ‘14

Amara played a little bit of Wide Receiver last year as well, catching 13 passes for 188 yards.  But his calling card is defense and Amara excelled at the safety position during the 2013 camp season.  Amara stepped up his game during various camps and 7v7’s and ultimately earned himself a scholarship offer to several schools including Pittsburgh.  Amara ultimately gave a verbal commitment to the Panthers in June.  Amara has nice size at 6’2” and has shown he has great range in coverage.

 Thaddius Smith – Cardinal O’Hara – Athlete ‘14

Smith ended his recruitment early in April by giving a verbal to Boston College.  Smith rushed for 362 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns during the 2012 season.  Cardinal O’Hara is loaded with weapons for this upcoming season so they’ll be spreading the ball around a whole lot.  Smith is also an impact player on the defensive side of the ball as well.

Vincent Moffett – St. Joseph’s Prep – Running Back ‘14

Moffett earned all-league honors in 2012 while sharing carries with Olamide Zaccheaus .  He rushed for 684 yards and scored 9 total touchdowns during the 2012 season.  He’s one of those underrated kids that’s a little bit under the radar right now from a recruitment standpoint.

 Zaire Franklin  – LaSalle – Linebacker ‘14

Franklin ended any kind of suspense by committing to Syracuse back in June.  Franklin is the total package at the linebacker position.   He’s a solid, hard-hitting tackler and knows how to shed blocks.  He’s athletic enough to be effective in pass coverage as well.  He’s definitely an every-down linebacker at the next level.  Luckily for LaSalle, he has another year to terrorize opposing offenses in the Philly Catholic League.

 

 

 


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Penn State Target John Reid Among Players On Philly Catholic League “Hot 16” List

by J. Cleezy

Posted 6:45 am

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

pennstateafter2

Picture by 247sports.com

Preps.com drops its Philadelphia Catholic League “HOT SIXTEEN” for the 2013 season.  These are sixteen football players from the Philadelphia Catholic League that we think will have either a break-out season or continue their all-league worthy performances from the 2012 season.

 

Antwain McCollum – West Catholic – Quarterback – ‘15

McCollum passed for 1,558 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2012 season.  He threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns against LaSalle late in the 2012 season.  He was steady throughout the season and will have running back Greg White once again to lessen any pressure on him.

 Greg White – West Catholic – Running Back – ‘14

White rushed for 1,469 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Burrs in 2012.  When Dave Williams transferred to Imhotep (he’s now at South Carolina), there were not too many doubts about White being able to step in and get the job done. He currently holds offers from Temple, UMass, ODU, and 5 other schools.

Dashawn Darden – Cardinal O’Hara – Quarterback – ‘14

Darden passed for 1,607 yards and 20 touchdowns during the 2012 season.  You can make the case for him being the top 5 conversation for best Philly Catholic League football players.  On the high school level, he’s one of the better quarterbacks in Pennsylvania.  Darden will look to have a stellar 2013 season to show colleges that he can play quarterback at the next level.

Jake Cooper – Archbishop Wood – Linebacker ‘15

Cooper has started at inside linebacker since his freshman year.  He’s a rough and rugged inside linebacker who has started to get his feet a little wet in the recruiting waters.  He currently holds an offer from Temple.

Jamal Custis – Neumann-Gorretti – Wide Receiver ‘14

At 6’6”, 215 pounds, Custis is one of the best receivers in the Philly Catholic League. Custis caught 29 catches for 628 yards and scored 10 touchdowns during the 2012 season.  He currently holds 7 offers including: UMass, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Virginia.  Custis has blown up during the offseason and is no longer a secret on the football field going into the 2013 season.

 

John Reid – St. Joseph’s Prep – Defensive Back ‘15

Reid made 5 interceptions during the 2012 season.  He’s been a starter since his freshman year, which makes it seem like he’s been around forever. He’s already considered one of the top cornerbacks in the state and in his class nationally. Reid is a fast kid and I wouldn’t  be surprised if  SJP got the ball in his hands a little bit more during the upcoming season.  He’s going into his junior year and already holds an offer from several BCS schools including Alabama.  That should tell you all you need to know about his talent.

John Runyan Jr.  – St. Joseph’s Prep – Offensive Tackle  ‘15

The 6’4”, 250 pound offensive tackle gave a verbal commitment to Michigan back in late June, a week after being offered by the Wolverines.

J.T. Blyden – Cardinal O’Hara – Running Back – ‘14

After receiving offers from schools such as Rutgers and Eastern Michigan, Blyden chose to give a verbal commitment to Massachusetts on July 1, 2013.  Blyden flashed some of his potential during his sophomore year as he  rushed for 1,126 yards and 13 touchdowns while playing for Avon Grove.  He will be another weapon for the Cardinal O’Hara offensive arsenal.

Kendall Singleton – Archbishop Wood – Defensive Back – ‘14

Singleton made 1st Team as a defensive back for the Philly Catholic League AAA division in 2012.  Pound for pound, he’s one of the best defensive backs in the whole Philly Catholic League.

Lamont Veal – Cardinal O’Hara – Athlete – ‘14

It should be considered a crime the way Veal is underrated on the recruiting scene.  Veal rushed for 453 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns during the 2012 season.   He is one of the fastest players in the state and score from anywhere on the field.  Don’t sleep on him.

Ryan Bates – Archbishop Wood – Offensive Tackle – ‘15

It seems like “The Wood” pumps out Division 1 caliber offensive lineman year after year.  Bates is no exception.  The 6’5”, 280 pound lineman has a “who’s who” list of offers from schools such as: Georgia Tech, Penn State, South Carolina, Temple, and West Virginia.  He is the best lineman recruit in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2015.

Olamide Zaccheaus – St. Joseph’s Prep – Running Back ‘15

Rushed for 769 yards and scored 8 total touchdowns during the 2012 season while sharing carries with Vincent Moffett.  Like Moffett, “O” is a little but under the radar as far as recruitment goes.  The Philly AAAA Catholic League is rough terrain to go through, but if Zaccheaus can put up a 1,000 yard season rushing the ball, he may help his own cause while helping SJP win a state title.

Patrick Amara – West Catholic – Safety – ‘14

Amara played a little bit of Wide Receiver last year as well, catching 13 passes for 188 yards.  But his calling card is defense and Amara excelled at the safety position during the 2013 camp season.  Amara stepped up his game during various camps and 7v7’s and ultimately earned himself a scholarship offer to several schools including Pittsburgh.  Amara ultimately gave a verbal commitment to the Panthers in June.  Amara has nice size at 6’2” and has shown he has great range in coverage.

 Thaddius Smith – Cardinal O’Hara – Athlete ‘14

Smith ended his recruitment early in April by giving a verbal to Boston College.  Smith rushed for 362 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns during the 2012 season.  Cardinal O’Hara is loaded with weapons for this upcoming season so they’ll be spreading the ball around a whole lot.  Smith is also an impact player on the defensive side of the ball as well.

Vincent Moffett – St. Joseph’s Prep – Running Back ‘14

Moffett earned all-league honors in 2012 while sharing carries with Olamide Zaccheaus .  He rushed for 684 yards and scored 9 total touchdowns during the 2012 season.  He’s one of those underrated kids that’s a little bit under the radar right now from a recruitment standpoint.

 Zaire Franklin  – LaSalle – Linebacker ‘14

Franklin ended any kind of suspense by committing to Syracuse back in June.  Franklin is the total package at the linebacker position.   He’s a solid, hard-hitting tackler and knows how to shed blocks.  He’s athletic enough to be effective in pass coverage as well.  He’s definitely an every-down linebacker at the next level.  Luckily for LaSalle, he has another year to terrorize opposing offenses in the Philly Catholic League.

 

 

 


Read more recruiting articles by J. Cleezy


Follow J. Cleezy on Twitter:  @joecleezy1

Email J. Cleezy:  cleezy@preps.com


TAGS:

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GIVE YOUR ANALYSIS: