Southeast Pa. Players to Watch

DelVal League

Academy Park

Skylor Fillis >> The junior played mostly at wide receiver last season but will make the shift to quarterback. “He’s got a strong arm,” Vosheski said. “He’s everything that you would want from a football player. He’s extremely smart football-wise. So as a quarterback that’s even better. He kind of knows what to do. He doesn’t always do it, but he knows what to do.”

Bryson Roberts >> The 6-3, 185-pound senior will make the slide from cornerback to free safety. “He’ll be a first-year, full-time starter,” Vosheski said. “He started some games last year as a corner. But he wasn’t the starter.” The Knights’ coach has been impressed by Roberts’ work habits. “He is a big gym rat,” he said. “He’s big and he’s fast and I think he is going to have a good year.”

Chester

Devan Freeman >> A return of 800 yards and eight touchdowns makes Freeman the biggest known commodity on the Clippers’ roster. With a young quarterback next to him, the physical back that Bell believes has Division I talent will be asked to set the tone. “Just trying to give my energy out to the whole offense, the defense and special teams, and telling everyone to go hard,” Freeman said of his influence. “I just want everyone to have the same mentality so that we can win some more games this year.”

Jalil Seals >> Short on size, the operative word for the Clippers’ defensive unit is compete. Seals is one of the few coming back with a decent stature for his linebacker position, at 6-0 at a growing 180 pounds. He showed his ball-hawking ability last year, and he’s got the potential to grow into a leader on the unit.

Chichester

Michael Rinick >> A three-year starter at offensive guard, he can be a force.“He’ll anchor our offensive line,” coach Ryan Smith said. “He’s a really nice player. He’s a good kid, a really, really good kid from a good family.” Also a linebacker, Rinick uses his 5-9, 215-pound frame with authority. “Of course we’ll have a good team,” Rinick said. “Everybody just has to know what they are doing and their position, now the plays and be able to push the team.”

Cody Profitt >> The 5-11, 200-pound linebacker will be the Eagles’ defensive captain. “He really has a nose for the defensive side of the ball,” Smith said. “He tackles well. He really moves well. He is a good linebacker.” “I like to be physical,” Profitt said. “I play hard and like to hit. It’s why they have me at linebacker. I love the game. When I watch the NFL, I always look at the defense, always look at the linebackers. I love defense.”

Glen Mills

Quadir Gibson >> Big, strong and fast, the senior running back is going to be a challenge for every opposing defense. He led the Bulls in rushing last season.

Tawfeeq Abdul-Lateef >> Experienced players are a rare commodity at Glen Mills, so to have a veteran presence in the senior cornerback is a huge plus for the Bulls.

 

Interboro

Kalie Kuyateh >> Even if you expect the 9.3 yards per carry average to level out a little with more carries, the senior running back has the potential to emerge as one of the area’s best running backs. He’ll get all the carries he can handle.

Brett McLaughlin >> The leader of the defense and a mainstay in the middle, the linebacker will be tasked with bringing his younger defensive mates up to speed quickly.

 

Penn Wood

Rahiem Bowens >> Bowens will be a go-to target for whoever lines up behind center. His speed makes the receiver a threat to score every play.

Shane Fraser >> The lineman has received one Division I offer, according to Troop. If he and the defensive line make noise, there could be more.

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