Football Recruiting: Rally 100

RALLY 100

Here is our ranking of the top high school football prospects in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Number of scholarship offers, level of recruiting interest, potential to excel in college, input from coaches, and personal observations were considered when compiling the list.

Rank Player School Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.

1. John Reid St. Joseph's Prep DB 5-10 190 Sr.

With his speed and instincts, the Penn State commit makes major contributions as a cornerback, running back, receiver, and kick returner. Last season, while helping the 12-3 Hawks capture the Catholic League title the PIAA Class AAAA state crown, he made four interceptions. One of his picks came in the state semifinals vs. Neshaminy. Reid, who has been clocked at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is projected to play cornerback for the Nittany Lions.

2. Brandon McIlwain Council Rock North QB 6-1 210 Jr.

A dual-threat quarterback with quick feet and a strong arm, McIlwain is drawing interest from top-notch college programs across the county. In 10 games last season, he connected on 105 of 190 passes for 1,446 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also carried 104 times for 594 yards and 10 scores. McIlwain recently narrowed his list of possible college destinations to six: Auburn, Duke, Florida, Penn State, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech. With family ties to South Carolina, he may be leaning toward the Gamecocks. In baseball, he is a standout first baseman and pitcher.

3. Josh Adams Central Bucks South RB 6-2 210 Sr.

After missing the latter part of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and undergoing surgery, Adams is set to be the catalyst of the Titans' no-huddle spread offense. In 12 games as a sophomore, the fleet tailback, who committed over the summer to Notre Dame, carried 257 times for 2,085 yards and 28 touchdowns. He ran 86 times for 738 yards and 10 scores in seven games last year. Adams previously doubled as a defensive back, but will concentrate on offense this year.

4. Ryan Bates Archbishop Wood OL 6-5 280 Sr.

Spurred by his bruising and lights-out blocking at tackle, the Vikings averaged 39 points last season while going 13-2 and securing their second PIAA Class AAA state championship. For his play, Bates, who also sees time at defensive tackle and end, earned all-Catholic League and Inquirer all-Southeastern first-team honors. The Penn State commit has bench-pressed 325 pounds, squatted 530, and power-cleaned 275. Bates is scheduled to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in January in Orlando, Fla.

5. Jon Daniel Runyan St. Joseph's Prep OL 6-5 280 Sr.

An offensive tackle like his same-named father, who played 14 seasons in the NFL, the Michigan commit is a third-year starter for the Hawks. He has hang-cleaned 300 pounds, benched 295, and squatted 425. Runyan is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for the defending Catholic League Class AAAA and PIAA state champions. Down the stretch last season, Runyan also contributed as a defensive tackle. "You could tell that he had turned the corner," Prep coach Gabe Infante said. "You knew he was confident. The coaches knew he could get it done."

6. Kyle Shurmur La Salle QB 6-4 215 Sr.

A true student of the game, with a strong arm and ever-improving leadership skills, Shurmur last season threw for 2,474 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the Explorers to an 8-3 record. The Vanderbilt commit is the son of Eagles second-year offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. A transfer from St. Edward (Ohio), he was a first-team all-Catholic League Class AAAA and second-team Inquirer all-Southeastern Pennsylvania choice last season. Shurmur, who also excels as a swimmer, chose the Commodores over Central Florida and Pittsburgh.

7. Shareef Miller George Washington DE 6-4 235 Sr.

A hard-charging and aggressive defender, Miller transferred to Washington after helping spark Frankford to a pair of Public League Class AAAA championships. Last season, when Frankford went 8-4 and advanced to the District 12 final, he earned Inquirer all-Southeastern Pennsylvania first-team honors. Among the colleges vying for his services are Arizona State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, and Temple. "He's a real hard worker," longtime Washington coach Ron Cohen said. "He's focused on what he's got to do to get to the next level."

8. Hayden Mahoney Malvern Prep OL 6-5 280 Sr.

For his blocking efforts and toughness in the interior, Mahoney, who is ticketed for Miami, earned first-team all-Inter-Ac League honors last season. This season, he will be joined on a formidable offensive line by fellow tackle Nick Zarkoski (6-6, 240), guards Mike McCarthy (6-6, 240) and Jacob Rebisz (6-2, 255), and end Ryan O'Neill (6-3, 230). Mahoney will double as a defensive end. His brother, Connor, is a 6-4, 260-pound sophomore defensive lineman at Northwestern.

9. Jake Cooper Archbishop Wood LB 6-2 220 Sr.

With his rugged play at linebacker, Cooper greatly aided the Vikings' drive to a sixth consecutive PIAA District 12 Class AAA championship and the squad's second state title. The Penn State commit was an Inquirer first-team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection. Cooper, who also sees time at tight end, where his primary role is to block for tailback Jarrett McClenton, is one of 50 players on the preseason Butkus Award high school watch list.

10. Ryan Buchholz DE Great Valley 6-5 235 Sr.

Buchholz, who will join Bates and Cooper at Penn State, can play defensive end or tackle. Last season, he posted 71 tackles, including six sacks, for the Patriots while earning first-team all-Ches-Mont League American Conference honors. "He has a great combination of size, speed, and skill that makes him a matchup problem on both side of the ball," Great Valley first-year coach Dan Ellis said. The Malvern resident can be used at tight end or wide receiver on offense.

11. Cary Angeline Downingtown East TE 6-7 235 Jr.

Angeline, a third-year contributor, makes the move from wide receiver to tight end. He has 14 scholarship offers, with Boston College, Connecticut, Duke, Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan State among his suitors. Also a defensive end for the Cougars, he averaged 21.7 points on the hardwood in the 2013-14 campaign.

12. D.J. Moore Imhotep Charter WR 6-0 200 Sr.

A high leaper with terrific hands, Moore, who is ticketed for Maryland, impressed while making the rounds on the showcase circuit following last season. In the Panthers' run to the PIAA Class AA state championship game last year, he made 36 catches for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns.

13 Jay Stocker Coatesville DB 6-2 185 Sr.

Stocker, talented as a wide receiver and defensive back, is key to the Red Raiders' bid for the Ches-Mont League National Conference title. Projected to play safety in college, he has scholarship offers from Duke, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Wisconsin, among others.

14. Naseir "Pop" Upshur Imhotep Charter TE 6-2 230 Jr.

A physical specimen with a considerable upside, his stock has soared since last season. Upshur, who has been clocked at 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has scholarship offers from Arizona State, Auburn, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others.

15. Ryan Bischoff Plymouth Whitemarsh OL 6-5 310 Sr.

Bischoff, who is bound for Virginia, is a two-way force for the defending Suburban One League American Conference champions. Projected to be an offensive guard or tackle in college, he also received interest from Connecticut, Maryland, Rutgers, and Stanford.

16. Gladimir Paul Northeast DE 6-2 210 Sr.

Paul, another Virginia commit, is a catalyst for the Vikings as a defensive end or outside linebacker. He recorded 20-plus tackles for loss last year, according to Northeast coach Phil Gormley. Interest in Paul, who doubles as a tight end, also came from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Monmouth, Temple, and Towson.

17. Alex Hornibrook Malvern Prep QB 6-4 210 Sr.

Last season, in directing the Friars to an 8-2 record and a share of the Inter-Ac League championship, the southpaw and Pittsburgh commit threw for nearly 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. "His mental capacity is great," Malvern Prep first-year coach Aaron Brady said. "He's like a sponge with that. He has a great future ahead of him."

18. Kevin Murphy W.C. East DL 6-2 270 Sr.

As a tackle, the hard-working and rugged Murphy is the anchor of the Vikings' 4-4 defense. The Connecticut commit also serves as an offensive tackle, the spot where last season he earned first-team all-Ches-Mont League National Conference honors.

19. D'Andre Swift St. Joseph's Prep RB 5-9 210 So.

As he showed in the Prep's run to a 12-3 record and the PIAA Class AAAA state championship last season, the speedster is a terror as a rusher, out-of-the-backfield receiver, and kick returner. Top-tier Division I-A programs (Penn State, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, etc.) are lining up to get an early bidding lead.

20. Ted Field Garnet Valley OL 6-5 325 Jr.

The mammoth offensive guard, who has committed to Rutgers, was in the process of transferring to Cardinal O'Hara but decided to stay with the Jaguars. Field, when he finally gets settled again, should be a force for an offensive line that also features Shane Stabinski (5-11, 265) and John DiPasquale (6-4, 290).

21. Olamide Zaccheaus St. Joseph's Prep RB 5-9 180 Sr.

Zaccheaus is one of the Catholic League's top multipurpose performers. The Virginia commit earned first-team all-league honors in that role last season. Clocked at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Zaccheaus also had scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Temple.

22. Amir Ealey Coatesville TE 6-4 230 Sr.

A three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, Ealey, also a defensive end, has scholarship offers from Connecticut, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Virginia, among others. For the Red Raiders this season, his blocking for QB Jordan Young and rusher Jalen Hudson is crucial to success.

23. Charles Snorweah Pennsbury RB 5-10 170 Sr.

In 12 games last season, he carried 145 times for 1,476 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Rutgers commit, also a defensive back for the defending Suburban One League National Conference champs, and Raheem Thompson make up a solid one-two rushing punch.

24. Nasir Bonner RB Del-Val Charter 5-10 185 Sr.

Bonner, quick and shifty, gives the Warriors a big boost after transferring in from Imhotep Charter. Also a free safety, he has drawn the interest of Wake Forest and others. Wisconsin, another possibility, is considering Bonner as a potential defensive back.

25. Doug Costin Bishop Shanahan OL 6-4 270 Jr.

He's strong, with good feet and long arms. Northwestern, Penn State, and Temple are among the programs showing interest. Costin's two-way efforts are key in the Eagles' attempt to keep up with the Ches-Mont League National Conference powers.

26. Shaquille Jones Imhotep Charter LB 6-2 195 Sr.

27. Ray Bordley W.C. Rustin OL 6-7 325 Jr.

28. Jonah Jackson Penncrest OL 6-4 290 Sr.

29. Benny Walls St. Joseph's Prep DB 6-1 195 Jr.

30. Johncarlo Valentin Imhotep Charter OL 6-4 325 Jr.

31. Dawayne Young Martin Luther King DL 6-2 290 Sr.

32. Trevor Morris Malvern Prep LB 6-2 200 Sr.

33. Tymir Oliver West Catholic DL 6-4 265 Jr.

34. Ahkema Evans Coatesville DB 5-10 175 Sr.

35. Terry Loper W.C. Rustin RB 5-10 195 Sr.

36. Yeedee Thaenrat Father Judge RB-DB 5-10 185 Jr.

37. D'Andre Pollard Neshaminy RB 5-8 170 Sr.

38. Connor Guzy C.R. North DL 6-4 255 Sr.

39. Manny Taylor Roman Catholic OL 6-6 275 Sr.

40. Christian Lohin Arch. Wood DE 6-3 225 Sr.

41. Bryan White W.C. Henderson DL 6-2 295 Sr.

42. Samir Bullock Arch. Ryan 5-8 175 Sr.

43. Karamo Dioubate Prep Charter DL 6-4 260 Jr.

44. Jarrett McClenton Arch. Wood RB 5-8 165 Sr.

45. Dimetri Kelly Roman Catholic DB 6-1 200 Sr.

46. Darian Bryant Springside Chestnut Hill 6-6 335 Jr.

47. Alex Jordan C.B. East DL 6-3 275 Sr.

48. Diego Zubieta Penncrest LB 5-11 190 Sr.

49. Yasir Durant Imhotep Charter OL 6-6 325 Jr.

50. Cody Smith Bishop Shanahan LB 6-1 235 Sr.

51. Collin DiGalbo Bonner-Prendergast QB 6-2 210 Sr.

52. Nasir Adderley Great Valley MP 6-0 180 Sr.

53. Jake Strain St. Joseph's Prep DL 6-3 235 Sr.

54. Martin Dorsey Conestoga WR 6-5 195 Sr.

55. Tyliek Raynor Imhotep Charter RB 5-10 180 Jr.

56. Gavin Wiggins Roman Catholic OL 6-4 280 Sr.

57. Andrew Jones Unionville OL 6-0 270 Sr.

58. Shaka Toney Imhotep Charter DE 6-4 215 Jr.

59. Jordan Young Coatesville MP 6-2 190 Jr.

60. Jordan Meachum La Salle RB-DB 5-8 185 Sr.

61. Ryan Whayland Episcopal Ac. QB 6-2 215 Sr.

62. Chauncey Simmons Haverford School OL 6-5 310 Sr.

63. Joe DuMond St. Joseph's Prep LB 6-1 230 Jr.

64. John O'Malley Hatboro-Horsham WR 6-1 180 Sr.

65. A.J. Frazier Roman Catholic WR-DB 6-0 175 Sr.

66. Alex Andersen Radnor OL 6-2 275 Sr.

67. Tom Johnson St. Joseph's Prep DB 6-0 200 Sr.

68. Asa Manley Northeast DB 6-0 190 Sr.

69. Andre Dreuitt-Parks Imhotep Charter QB 6-2 195 Sr.

70. Donte Simmons Bristol RB-DB 5-9 180 Sr.

71. Derek Mountain Haverford School WR-LB 6-5 215 Sr.

72. Wyatt McLeod Conwell-Egan LB 6-0 215 Sr.

73. Justin Rubin Archbishop Wood LB 6-1 210 Sr.

74. Ryan Hubley Oxford WR-DB 6-3 195 Sr.

75. Akeem Walcott Methacton RB-DB 5-9 180 Sr.

76. Caleb Fell Down. East DE 6-3 240 Sr.

77. Mikal Cherry Del-Val Charter OL-DL 6-5 295 Sr.

78. Alex Pechin Unionville MP 6-1 185 Sr.

79. Ryan Neher Arch. Wood OL 6-3 255 Sr.

80. Omar Peterkin Abington DL 6-2 280 Jr.

81. Daryl Simmons St. Joseph's Prep WR 6-2 190 Fr.

82. Jacob Rebisz Malvern Prep OL-DL 6-2 255 Sr.

83. Shane Davis St. Joseph's Prep OL 6-4 295 Sr.

84. Mark Webb Arch. Wood WR 6-3 180 So.

85. Frank Tranzilli North Penn OL 6-2 290 Sr.

86. Paul Dooley Springside Chestnut Hill QB-DB 6-0 205 Sr.

87. Vian Dolo Prep Charter QB-DB 6-0 200 Sr.

88. Corey Schriver William Tennent OL-DL 6-2 300 Sr.

89. Nyfease West North Penn RB 5-9 180 Jr.

90. Maurice McCray Martin Luther King DE-LB 6-2 205 Jr.

91. Tyler McNulty Down. West QB-DB 6-1 195 Sr.

92. John Chaney III Roman Catholic WR-DB 5-10 180 Sr.

93. Jake Martilotti Episcopal Ac. TE-LB 6-0 210 Sr.

94. Colin McAllister Chichester OL 6-3 280 Sr.

95. Vince Alimenti C.R. South RB-LB 6-1 195 Sr.

96. Keenan Baines Conwell-Egan OL-DL 6-3 280 So.

97. Joe DeSanto Plymouth Whitemarsh OL 6-3 265 Sr.

98. Macquel Hardy Prep Charter OL-DL 6-3 295 Jr.

99. Alex Gooden Octorara MP 5-10 190 Sr.

100. Qwamere Wright-Downing Imhotep Charter DE 6-1 220 Sr.

MP: multipurpose.

- Rick O'Brien