Senior gridders worth watching

HERE'S OUR 35th annual list of city-leagues seniors deserving of attention from Division I recruiters, compiled with the help of coaches.

Those players with expanded information following their name are considered Division I-A (FBS, if you must) prospects.

Those in the "others" category are more likely better fits for I-AA (FCS) and * indicates Ivy League and/or Patriot League academic credentials.

Many of these players perhaps would be better served by setting their sights at a level below where they're listed, but that's for recruiters and/or players to decide.

The comments are based on personal observations and coaches' insights.

All players are listed by current position.

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

CENTERS

THE BEST - None

OTHERS - Scott Ervin, Gratz, 6-2, 320; *Ed Bier, Ryan, 6-2, 185.

GUARDS

THE BEST - Shane Phillips, Conwell-Egan, 6-5, 310, also DT, scratching surface, gets off ball, decent feet, eyeing Temple/Rutgers/'Nova; Chris O'Connor, Wood, 6-6, 285, coming into own, motivated, take him and rejoice down the line, Temple pondering.

OTHERS - Ian Loveless, Conwell-Egan, 6-5, 270, also DT; *Dan Roirdan, Malvern, 6-1, 225, also DE-LS, projected FB-LB; *Fran Walsh, Wood, 6-1, 245, also DL; *Joe Barrett, Malvern, 6-2, 225, also DT-DE; Kareem Jefferson, Dobbins, 6-foot, 260, also T-DL.

TACKLES

THE BEST - Jaryd "Burger" Jones-Smith, West Catholic, 6-7, 320, also DE, punishing blocker, protects pocket, motivated, bright future, Final Five includes Temple/Pitt/Va./NC State/Central Fla.; George Griffin, Wood, 6-4, 280, always powers ahead, ornery, tough to get around in pass protection, Temple interested; Deya Mhiesen, Washington, 6-8, 285, scratching surface, interesting possibilities, must prove he wants it, decent footwork;

OTHERS - *David Tracz, SJ Prep, 6-4, 240, also DL; Devin Young, Bonner-Prendie, 6-6, 305; JJ Logan, Roman, 6-4, 310; Vince LoStracco, Judge, 6-4, 285; *Jack Florio, Episcopal, 6-2, 270, also DL, projected C-G; Carmen Cervella, O'Hara, 6-1, 285, projected C-G.

RECEIVERS

THE BEST - Sharif Custis, Neumann-Goretti, 6-4, 215, TE, also DE, gets downfield, bouncy, can add weight, offers from Temple/UMass, brother Kadeem played for Owls; another (Jamal, jr. at N-G) generating interest; Christian Summers, Bonner-Prendie, 6-3, 195, WR, classic late bloomer, feisty, knows ball is HIS, opening eyes, 40: 4-5; Denzel Turbeville, Frankford, 6-4, 200, WR, big hands, runs crisp routes, daily improvement, plays basketball, Rutgers/Old Dominion are aware; Emmanuel Young, Franklin, 6-2, 180, WR, antelope look, creates space, fights for ball, 3-sport athlete.

OTHERS - *Tahir Perlote, Boys' Latin, 5-9, 165, WR, possible CB; *Ryan Ammerman, Malvern, 6-3, 205, TE, possible SS; *Bobby Keyes, SCH Academy, 6-foot, 185, WR, also LB, possible SS; Dishon Solomon, Dobbins, WR, 6-foot, 180, also DB; Tyrell Gross, Olney, 5-11, 180, WR, also RB-QB-OLB-CB; Jamiel Hines, Fels, 5-11, 175, WR, also RB-DB-KR-PR.

QUARTERBACKS

THE BEST - Michael Keir, Roman, 6-2, 215, sufficient swagger, sturdy in pocket, hits homers, Kent State offer, heavy CAA interest in case he falls through cracks; Tim DiGiorgio, Frankford, 6-3, 180, lefty, quick release, accuracy a chief strength, 3.6 GPA, home runs no problem, Indiana/Rutgers/Penn State in touch.

OTHERS - *Billy "Moose" Ford, Malvern, 6-3, 225, possible DE; Eric Lark, Boys' Latin, 6-4, 190, possible DE; *Sal Bello, Carroll, 6-1, 185; *James Johnson, Mastery North, 5-11, 180, also WR-ATH; Davone Cornish, Gratz, 6-foot, 170.

RUNNING BACKS

THE BEST - David Williams, Imhotep, 6-1, 200, rare speed for size, bursts through line as well, "final" three are South Carolina/Arizona St./Tennessee but others refuse to go away; Eerin Young, Imhotep, 5-10, 180, also WR, classic handyman, mixes hands/quick feet/balance/vision, Ohio U. & Ball State coming hard; Ben Coulibaly, Boys' Latin, 6-foot, 185, versatile, enthusiastic, takes punishment, Ohio U. & Kent State recently paid visits.

OTHERS - *Andrew Guckin, Wood, RB, also LB, possible SS; Eric Neefe, Penn Charter, 5-10, 220, possible FB; *Hakeem Ellis, Central, 6-1, 205, also LB, projected OLB-SS; *Eric Purnell, Malvern, 5-10, 170, also DB; Jesse Gillis, Central, 5-8, 170, possible SB; Tyreik Coaxum, Franklin, 5-11, 185, also WR-SS.

KICKERS/PUNTERS

(One Category)

Quinn Hager, Episcopal, 6-3, 180, also WR; Vince Visco, Wood, 6-2, 195; Aron Morgan, Haverford School, K, 6-foot, 170; Jake Wright, Washington, 6-2, 195.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

ENDS

THE BEST - Justin Moody, Washington, 6-3, 270, also G, national interest, bearcat, possible NG, prevents sweeps, body not finished; Dom Toney, West Catholic, 6-3, 245, also FB-TE, sheds blockers, smothering tackler, scrapes line, UConn/Bowling Green interested; Saeed Sheard, Gratz, 6-1, 205, also G-FB-TE, tackling machine, high motor, takes mail in opposing backfields, awaiting your call;

OTHERS - Nigel Grant, Imhotep, 6-7, 240, also TE, possible T; Davon Wise, University City, 6-3, 240, also OL, possible LB.

TACKLES

THE BEST - Sema'j Reed, Haverford School, 6-7, 270, also T, has redefined body, wants it, plays basketball, best days ahead, Buffalo offer.

OTHERS - *Tom Spiteri, La Salle, 6-2, 280, also G; Dezhaunte White, Fels, 6-1, 245, also C, projected DE; *Jordan Andrews, Malvern, 6-2, 255, also T; possible NG.

LINEBACKERS

THE BEST - Diquan Gilbert, Comm Tech, 6-1, 210, OLB, also RB, possible SS, PSU/Temple/BC have him on radar, exists to pop people, owned combine circuit; Vittorio "Vito" Goggins, Bok, 6-foot, 235, ILB, also FB, aggressive, perceptive, gets to edge, Temple/BC sniffing.

OTHERS - Todd Jones, SJ Prep, 6-foot, 210, OLB, possible SS; Brandon Chatmon, Imhotep, 6-2, 220, ILB; *Matt McLaughlin, Episcopal, ILB, 6-3, 215, also TE; Chris Cruz, Roman, 6-1, 215, ILB, also TE-QB; David Pulliam, Northeast, 6-2, 200, OLB, also TE-WR, possible SS; *Evan Harvey, Carroll, 6-foot, 190, also TE; *Lou Stevens, Germantown Academy, 6-2, 215, also TE/SB/KR; Elijah Clark, Bartram, 5-11, 230, ILB, also RB, possible DE; *Cornelius Middleton, Gratz, 5-10, 180, OLB, also RB, possible CB; Antwain Kitt, Germantown, 5-10, 225, also FB; *Rob Gorman, Germantown Academy, 5-11, 220, also RB; *Christopher Batts, Mastery North, 5-9, 190, OLB; Nizar Ray, Dobbins, 5-10, 190, also RB, projected SS; Donta Holdclaw, Olney, 6-foot, 175, OLB, also RB-DE.

BACKS

THE BEST - Fulani Freeman, Gratz, 6-5, 205, FS, also TE-DE, major agility/speed for size, flies to ball, could play many spots in college, get involved now!; Najee Goode, Imhotep, 5-10, 170, CB, also PR, impressive instincts, also aggressive, Toledo/Old Dominion involved; Chris Morgan, Haverford School, 6-1, 180, SS, also WR, projected FS, impressively mixes pop/blanket, wiry strength, Duke intrigued; Shaquille James, West Catholic, 5-9, 155, CB, also WR, quick feet, attacks ball, passionate, Pitt curious.

OTHERS - Dan Sherry, SJ Prep, 6-3, 215, also P, possible OLB; Dad Poquie, La Salle, 5-10, 180; *Darnell Baldwin, Germantown, 6-3, 170, SS, also OLB; David Peterson, Boys' Latin, 6-2, 190, also WR; Tymere Wilder, McDevitt, 5-7, 160, CB, also RB-KR; *Joe DeMaio, O'Hara, 5-11, 175, also WR; Pat McCabe, SJ Prep, 6-2, 190; Greg Miller, Germantown, 5-11, 175, CB.

OFF THE BOARD

Listed below are players who have already made commitments:

Episcopal: Adam Strouss, QB-DB, Penn.

Haverford School: Matt Galambos, TB-TE-LB, Pitt;

La Salle: Patrick Hoffman, T, Navy; Ryan Winslow, P, Pitt.

Penn Charter: Mike McGlinchey, T-TE-DE, Notre Dame; Daryl Worley, WR-DB, West Virginia.

Roman: William Fuller, WR-DB, Notre Dame.

Wood: Nick Arcidiacono, TE-LB, Rutgers.