A look at the top linebackers and defensive backs
Our position-by-position guide continues with a look at some of the area's hardest-hitting linebackers and best ball-hawking defensive backs. Germantown Academy's Patrick McGettigan and Valley Forge Military Academy's Audley Isaacs are savvy linebackers headed to Penn and Temple, respectively.
Our position-by-position guide continues with a look at some of the area's hardest-hitting linebackers and best ball-hawking defensive backs.
Germantown Academy's Patrick McGettigan and Valley Forge Military Academy's Audley Isaacs are savvy linebackers headed to Penn and Temple, respectively.
Of the 6-foot-1, 225-pound McGettigan, GA coach Matt Dence said, "He's everything you want in a linebacker. He's really good. And he's got deceptive speed."
McGettigan is a senior positioned in the middle of a 4-3 scheme and flanked by Matt Gorman and Tanner Long. Gorman, likewise a top-notch student, has applied for early admission to Penn.
McGettigan's father, Ed, starred as a defensive tackle in the mid-1980s at Father Judge and is now Lincoln's football coach. His brother, Jimmy, is a junior two-way lineman for GA.
Downingtown East's Jeremy Jennings, Imhotep Charter's Isheem Young, Palumbo Academy's Kenneth Bennett and West Catholic's Dajone Averett are among the elite backs.
Jennings, who was electronically timed at 10.63 seconds for 100 meters, is bound for Temple. He was a first-team all-Ches-Mont League National Division performer last season.
After announcing his plan to transfer and play at Florida's prestigious IMG Academy, Young opted to return to Imhotep. The 5-10, 180-pound junior has scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida State, Maryland and Penn State, among others.
Bennett, who played for Simon Gratz last season, has offers from Maryland, Pittsburgh and Temple. Averett is considering Army, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Towson, and Villanova.
Jack Farrell and Jordan Mosley form a solid one-two punch at linebacker for Haverford High. Mosley, also a receiving threat, transferred to the Fords from Bonner-Prendergast.
La Salle, which is expected to battle Archbishop Wood and St. Joseph's Prep for top Catholic League Red Division honors, has a solid linebacking corps made up of Austin Lemke, Liam Trainer, and Dan Kuznetsov.
Wood's Matt Palmer, a junior and second-year starter, has offers from Pittsburgh and West Virginia. The Prep's James Johnson plans to join his brother, Tom, a former Hawks defender, at Princeton.
Pennridge's Nick Tarburton and Central Bucks West's Jake Reichwein, both juniors, are two of the Suburban One League's elite linebackers. Tarburton, who goes sideline to sideline to make plays, has drawn interest from Penn State.
North Penn's Ricky Johns, a safety who can switch to outside linebacker, is ticketed for West Virginia. Abington safety George Reid will join Isaacs and Jennings at Temple.
Linebackers to watch
Brandon Cohen, Conwell-Egan, Sr. — He's a first-team all-league pick.
Jack Farrell, Haverford High, Sr. — He finds his way around blockers.
Audley Isaacs, Valley Forge, Sr. — He has committed to Temple.
James Johnson, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr. — He is a consistent playmaker.
Austin Lemke, La Salle, Jr. — He aggressively patrols the middle.
Maurice McCray, Del-Val Charter, Sr. — He's a Division I-AA prospect.
Patrick McGettigan, Germantown Academy, Sr. — His next stop is Penn.
Rich Melito, Archbishop Carroll, Sr. — He has impressed new boss Dan Connor.
Jordan Mosley, Haverford High, Jr. — He is a key addition for the Fords.
Nate Norris, Central Bucks South, Sr. — He's a three-year starter for the Titans.
Matt Palmer, Archbishop Wood, Jr. — His grit has drawn Division I interest.
Jake Reichwein, Central Bucks West, Jr. — He's the anchor of Bucks' defense.
Josh Reoun, Northeast, Sr. — The 6-1, 230-pounder is a force.
Nick Tarburton, Pennridge, Jr. — He's a terror for opposing ballcarriers.
Defensive backs to watch
Dajone Averett, West Catholic, Sr. — Villanova is one of his options.
Denarii Beard, Penn Charter, Sr. — He's solid at cornerback or safety.
Kenneth Bennett, Palumbo, Sr. — He came over from Simon Gratz.
Richard Carr, St. Joseph's Prep, Sr. — Carr is a shutdown cornerback.
Ed Clark, Coatesville, Sr. — He's the leader of a quick secondary.
Tom Flavin, La Salle, Sr. — He handles many roles for the Explorers.
Rahsul Faison, Pottsgrove, Jr. — He's also a threat at running back.
Shane Flaherty, Roman Catholic, Sr. — He's a do-everything type.
Jeremy Jennings, Downingtown East, Sr. — He ran a 10.63 in the 100.
Ricky Johns, North Penn, Sr. — He's also a standout wide receiver.
Peterson Pierre, Frankford, Sr. — He is a hard-hitting strong safety.
George Reid, Abington, Sr. — He will continue his career at Temple.
Teddy Wright, Academy Park, Sr. — He posted 89 tackles last year.
Isheem Young, Imhotep, Jr. — He's a highly sought-after recruit.
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