The WPIAL’s top 10 football prospects for the Class of 2019
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Wednesday, February 7, 2018 | 9:15 PM
1. Andrew Kristofic
Pine-Richland
6-6, 260, offensive line
Kristofic's status took another giant leap Feb. 1 when Clemson offered him a scholarship, adding to a list that already included Big Ten and ACC schools. He was a two-way lineman for Pine-Richland's team that won the PIAA Class 6A title. His other offers include Pitt and West Virginia, along with Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Temple, Boston College, Syracuse, Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern, Indiana and Toledo.
2. Joey Porter Jr.
North Allegheny
6-2, 175, cornerback
Porter already holds scholarship offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College, Buffalo, Maryland, Temple, Toledo and Syracuse, along with Colorado State, his father's alma mater. Porter plays cornerback and wide receiver for NA. An arm injury sidelined him for part of the year, but he still scored on a 46-yard punt return, a 48-yard reception and an 85-yard fumble return.
3. MJ Devonshire
Aliquippa
5-11, 175, cornerback
Devonshire is the latest in a long line of Aliquippa defensive backs. His recruitment heated up Nov. 13 when he announced an offer from Ohio State. He also lists West Virginia, Oregon State, Syracuse and Temple.
4. Jayvon Thrift
Norwin
5-11, 190, safety
The multi-year starter already holds scholarship offers from Pitt, WVU, Syracuse, Army, Buffalo, Temple and Toledo. He made 79 tackles tackles last season and scored seven times.
5. Corey Thomas Jr.
Central Catholic
6-3, 190, linebacker/safety
Thomas plays safety and wide receiver for Central Catholic, but some project him as an outside linebacker in college. He announced his first Power 5 offer Jan. 23 from Indiana, joining offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo and Toledo.
6. Courtney Jackson
Gateway
6-0, 165, receiver/cornerback
Jackson had 96 catches for 1,916 yards and 24 touchdowns for the state Class 5A runner-up, but his future might be at cornerback. He lists FBS offers from Akron, Army, Bowling Green and Toledo.
7. Mike Coleman
Woodland Hills
6-1, 165, cornerback
Still somewhat under the radar, Coleman announced his first FBS offer Jan. 15 from Toledo, but quickly added scholarships from Western Michigan and Miami of Ohio.
8. Daequan Hardy
Penn Hills
5-10, 165, cornerback
Toledo offered Hardy, who had nine interceptions last season, forced three fumbles and scored once on defense. He also had 37 catches for 783 yards and eight touchdowns.
9. Rahmon Hart Jr.
Imani Christian
6-3, 205, wide receiver
Hart announced his first FBS scholarship offer from Temple in May 2016, when he was still a freshman at Plum. He later transferred to Imani Christian, where he had 63 receptions, 978 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He also lists FBS offers from Buffalo and Toledo.
10. Dante Cephas
Penn Hills
6-1, 180, wide receiver
Toledo gave Cephas his first FBS offer Jan. 27. He scored 13 times on 36 catches last year and finished with 767 yards.
Two to watch in 2020:
Michael Carmody
Mars
6-6, 260, lineman
Carmody earned his first scholarship offer Jan. 18 from Pitt, but since has added offers from Temple, Maryland, Wisconsin and Michigan. He played defensive line and tight end for Mars but could project as an offensive tackle in college.
Nikhai Hill-Green
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic
6-2, 190, linebacker
Hill-Green, who scored seven times for Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic last season, received his first FBS offer Jan. 16 from Toledo.
Tags: Aliquippa, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Gateway, Greensburg C.C., Imani Christian, Mars, North Allegheny, North Catholic, Norwin, Penn Hills, Pine-Richland, Woodland Hills
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