These are the Philly area’s top high school football recruits to watch this season

The Philadelphia area, which is not exactly known for its voracious college football fan base, continues to produce high-end college football talent. Over the last decade, the area’s high school football programs have been a gateway for many players to reach the NFL.

Last year, the area featured a national-level player in La Salle College High’s Joey O’Brien, who’s now at Notre Dame. This year features two top-10 national players in their respective classes: Coatesville’s 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive tackle Max Hiller, committed to Florida, and ranked No. 3 in the nation by ESPN and No. 1 offensive tackle for the Class of 2027; and Jett Harrison, the youngest son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison and younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr., the former St. Joseph’s Prep star and Arizona Cardinal receiver who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Jett is ranked No. 6 in the Class of 2028 and the No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the nation.

Here’s the area’s top 20 players, according to area coaches, college scouts, and recruiting services, to watch this season.

» READ MORE: Roman Catholic, Father Judge moving to PIAA Class 6A in football sets up a Catholic League super playoff

Malvern Prep, 6-3, 200 pounds, WR, Sr.

Cooper is committed to Louisiana State University after a junior season in which he caught 44 passes for 644 yards and six touchdowns. He is rangy, explosive, and impossible to cover one-on-one at the high school level, where his ability to high point the ball is nearly unstoppable. He’s an exceptional route runner and possesses a high-end work ethic.

Cardinal O’Hara, 6-2, 230 pounds, Edge, Sr.

Dantonka is one of the more underrated players in the area and really blossomed last season. He was the cornerstone of O’Hara winning its first District 12 Class 4A championship and first state playoff game in 2025. He committed to Wake Forest after a junior season in which he had 83 tackles (40 solo) as a defensive end. He had seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He may play both ways this season, possibly playing some tight end in addition to defensive end. He is projected to be an edge rusher at Wake Forest. Dantonka started playing football as a freshman at O’Hara.

Bonner-Prendergast, 6-8, 270 pounds, OT, Jr.

Davis-Winn is receiving interest from Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Texas, among others. Davis-Winn is a two-year starter and very good athlete. He has an 84-inch reach and will play both sides of the ball for the Friars at offensive tackle and as a rotational defensive tackle. He was on the Friars’ Class 5A state championship basketball team, but his college ticket will be in football.

Roman Catholic, 6-5, 230 pounds, Edge, Jr.

Ezeukwu, a three-year starter, and is already committed to Oregon. He is a rangy athlete who can cover open ground and the scary part is, he’s still improving. Ezeukwu was a one-man wrecking crew for the defending PIAA Class 5A state champions, who will face a tougher task this season in its move up to 6A, where defending state champion La Salle and perennial powerhouse St. Joe’s Prep reside.

Owen J. Roberts, 6-foot, 210 pounds, RB, Sr.

Graham, who’s bound for Maryland next fall, rushed for 1,732 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He will be a key cog in OJ Roberts’ quest to win a Pioneer Athletic Conference championship, which the Wildcats last won in 2010 (shared with Boyertown). It last won the PAC outright in 1993.

Malvern Prep, 6-5, 270 pounds, OT, Sr.

A two-year starter at right tackle, Graham is headed to Duke next year. The converted tight end has great balance and great coordination. He is a first-team all-Inter-Ac choice and will play some defensive tackle.

Owen J. Roberts, 6-1, 180 pounds, WR, Sr.

Gregory is a UCLA pledge and one of the fastest athletes in the state. He’s ranked as the No. 7 overall wide receiver nationally, after catching 58 passes for 911 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. Something to think about: Gregory’s talent is so respected, UCLA came across the country to snare him over major programs like LSU, Notre Dame, and James Franklin’s Virginia Tech.

St. Joseph’s Prep, 6-1, 180 pounds, WR, Jr.

The youngest of former Roman Catholic star and NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Jett is already committed to Ohio State, where is older brother played. Jett is considered by many recruiters as the top 2028 prospect in the country. As a sophomore, Jett broke the Catholic League single-season touchdown record with 15 last season and will likely by double and sometimes triple teamed this season. He’s the No. 6-rated recruit in the nation for the Class of 2028 and recently signed a deal with New Balance.

Coatesville, 6-5, 305 pounds, OL/DL, Sr.

Hiller committed to Florida in April and signed with mega-agent Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which also signed his brother, basketball standout Colton Hiller. Max will play both ways this season, though he is projected to be an offensive tackle at Florida. What makes him unique is how quick and nimble his feet are for someone so large. The only thing missing from his resume is a PIAA District 1 Class 6A championship.

La Salle, 6-2, 195 pounds, CB, Sr.

Committed to UCLA, Hopkins was a shutdown cornerback who had one interception last season. At 6-2, he is a rangy corner who uses his hands well, and is very good at playing the ball in the air. He can play both cornerback and safety, though he is projected to be a corner at UCLA. He will go both ways for the Explorers this season as a defensive back and wide receiver.

Roman Catholic, 6-1, 215 pounds, LB, Sr.

Hudson is bound for Pittsburgh next year, after a junior year in which he made 77 tackles (13 for loss). A three-year varsity starter, Hudson was a keystone of arguably the best team in the state last season, winners of Roman’s first-ever state football championship. The Cahillites and Hudson face a steeper test this season moving to Class 6A.

La Salle, 5-10, 190 pounds, WR, Jr.

He has offers from Notre Dame, Penn State, Oregon, Alabama, Auburn, and Ole Miss, with more to follow. As a sophomore, Johnson performed well in significant games. He hauled in 73 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had a game-high nine catches for 96 yards and scored two of La Salle’s three touchdowns in a 24-14 victory over the Prep in the PCL championship. He followed that with three touchdowns in the state title game. It helped getting single coverage with Notre Dame-bound O’Brien on the other side of the field. This year, Johnson will be the focal point of opposing defenses.

The Haverford School, 6-3, 190 pounds, S, Sr.

Jones is a four-year starter and committed to Tennessee, where his uncle Mark Jones played. Marcus is the son of former Strath Haven great and Purdue receiver Ike Jones, who caught passes from two Hall of Famers: Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. Marcus is projected to play safety at Tennessee. Marcus plays on both sides of the ball for the Fords, as a wide receiver and defensive back. He is coming off a junior season in which he caught 38 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, he made 52 tackles (37 solo) and four tackles for loss.

St. Joe’s Prep, 6-2, 216 pounds, LB, Sr.

Lockley may arguably be the best linebacker in the state. A physical, versatile defender, Lockley is a three-year starter bound for Oregon, after coming off a first-team, all-Catholic League junior season. He has the ability to play in space, support the run, and matchup in multiple offensive groupings. He won’t come off the field this season.

Archbishop Ryan, 6-3, 300 pounds, DL/OT, Sr.

Montgomery is rare in this age of specialization as a two-sport standout in football and wrestling, both of which he plans to do at Penn State. A three-year starter, Montgomery is coming off a junior season in which he tallied 45 tackles, 8½ sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He’s explosive, quick, and carries himself low. He’s projected to be a defensive tackle at Penn State. He’s unblockable at the high school level.

Malvern Prep, 6-4, 235 pounds, Edge, Jr.

A long, strong, athletic edge rusher with a non-stop motor, he is getting attention from Penn State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Oregon, and Ohio State after a sophomore year in which he had eight sacks, 35 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 16 hurries. He runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and jumped 37 inches. He played primarily edge rusher. And will play some defensive tackle and linebacker. He is being recruited as an edge rusher.

Archbishop Wood, 6-8, 320 pounds, OT, Sr.

A two-year starter, Sakyiama is a Syracuse pledge, where he is projected to be a left tackle. He will be a two-way starter as a left tackle and situational defensive tackle for coach Brian Goettner, who will be entering his second season as head coach. Sakyiama has grown an inch since last year and is down to around 320 pounds from playing at 345 last year. Sakyiama started playing football three years ago. He is still learning the game, with a tremendous upside.

Downingtown East, 6-6, 230 pounds, Edge, Sr.

Sesay continues to blow up, even though he’s committed to Notre Dame. As a junior, he had 13 sacks and 89 tackles and will double up as a tight end. He is rated No. 90 overall in the country by ESPN for the Class of 2027 and is a three-year starter, projected to be an edge rusher at Notre Dame. He has been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is an early admittance to Notre Dame. He has signed with the Octagon agency, which represents Steph Curry. He has grown an inch and gained 20 pounds since last season. Sesay’s East team plays Hiller at Coatesville on Oct. 23.

Lansdale Catholic, 6-7, 290 pounds, OT, Sr.

Smith is headed to LSU and projected to be an offensive tackle, though will be a defensive tackle and left tackle for the defending PIAA District 12 Class 2A champions. The Crusaders moved up to Class 3A this season. Smith, a three-year starter, has a high football IQ, great feet, and played on both sides of the ball. He did not play until the last seven games, recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee during his sophomore season. He has since made a full recovery and is expected to play his entire senior season. He is related to former Sixer great and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. He did not start playing football until seventh grade. Lansdale Catholic opens the season at Pope John Paul II on Aug. 28.

La Salle, 6-3, 290 pounds, OG, Sr.

Sorge was the cornerstone of an offensive line that won the Catholic League Red Division and PIAA Class 6A state title last season. Committed to Lafayette, Sorge will again be counted on to stabilize the Explorers’ front. He is a returning all-Catholic League selection, a league that produced two PIAA state champions, and is known for his strength as a pass blocker. La Salle coach Brett Gordon calls him the best interior lineman in Pennsylvania.