The WPIAL Recruiting Wraparound takes stock of the latest news in football recruiting within the WPIAL and City League.
The Michigan Wolverines are making waves in the Class of 2025, flipping some of the top commitments in the cycle in the past 48 hours and the program is pushing for a WPIAL recruit.
First it was Pitt cornerback commit Elijah Dotson, who announced he was breaking his verbal pledge with the Panthers and staying home with the Wolverines. A day later, Dotson’s teammate and the No. 1 prospect in the class, quarterback Bryce Underwood, announced he was flipping to Michigan.
Now, a prediction has been logged that Central Catholic linebacker Bradley Gompers will flip to the Wolverines. Gompers, a consensus four-star prospect, has been committed to Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils since June 16.
Steve Wiltfong, the Vice President of Recruiting and Transfer Portal at On3, predicted that Michigan has an 82.8% chance of landing Gompers.
On his YouTube show, the Wiltfong Whiparound, the recruiting insider explained that “Michigan is a program that I’ve been keeping a close eye on in his recruitment and I like the way that’s starting to trend for the Maize and Blue. I think he’s ultimately in the fold with Moore and company when it’s all said and done.”
Former Central Catholic teammate Cole Sullivan committed to Michigan in the 2024 cycle as a four-star linebacker.
Gompers — a 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker prospect — recently helped Central Catholic win the Class 6A WPIAL Championship over North Allegheny. At receiver, Gompers hauled in one pass that went 45 yards for a touchdown. Defensively, he recorded three total tackles, along with a sack.
Troy Extends Offers to Two WPIAL Prospects
Two of the brightest young talents in the WPIAL added an offer from the Troy Trojans on Wednesday.
Khalil Taylor — a 5-foot-11, 180-pound prospect from Seton LaSalle High School — picked up an offer from Troy defensive coordinator and safeties coach Dontae Wright.
Taylor is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2027 as he holds a four-star rating from 247Sports and is ranked as the No. 2 player in the state of Pennsylvania.
Along with Troy, Taylor holds offers from Pitt, Maryland, Penn State, Rutgers, West Virginia, UConn, Nebraska, Akron, UNLV and Temple.
Chrys Black Jr. — a 5-foot-7, 162-pound prospect from Central Catholic — also added an offer from Wright and the Troy coaching staff.
Black is the most recruited freshman in the WPIAL thus far with offers from West Virginia, Syracuse, Temple, Akron, Bowling Green, UNLV and now Troy.
Kalis Adds to Lengthy Offer Sheet
Central Catholic offensive lineman Jimmy Kalis is one of many highly-coveted WPIAL prospects in the Class of 2027.
He added another offer, this one from a Big 10 program in the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound recruit holds offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Ole Miss, N.C. State, Syracuse, California, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, Duke, Arizona State, Central Michigan, Akron, Miami (OH) and Toledo.
Blatt, Lehman Continue to Rise on Recruiting Front
Edge rushers Ashton Blatt, from Central Catholic and Reston Lehman, a Peters Township product, recently earned three-star status from 247Sports, while also adding Power Four offers this week.
Blatt — a 6-foot-4, 230-pound recruit — picked up an offer from Syracuse Orange defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson on Wednesday.
He now owns offers from Michigan State, Syracuse, Duke and Eastern Michigan.
Lehman — a 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect — added an offer from a Big 10 program in the Nebraska Cornhuskers late Thursday.
As an On3 four-star, Lehman now holds on offer sheet of Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, Boston College, Nebraska, Akron, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, Miami (OH), Central Michigan.
Senior WPIAL RB Earns First Division I Offer
Kenyan Brown — a 2025 running back at South Park High School — picked up his first Division I scholarship offer from the Mercyhurst Lakers.
Defensive back coach Elijah Altizer extended the offer on Tuesday. Brown also holds a preferred walk-on opportunity from Toledo.
Brown, who stands at 6-foot, 175 pounds, concluded his final regular season with 428 rushing yards, along with 553 return yards and 229 receiving yards. He scored nine total touchdowns. Defensively, he recored 51 tackles, 12 pass breakups and two interceptions.
His South Park squad will square up against Seton LaSalle Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium for the Class 2A WPIAL title.
WPIAL Football Recruiting Board – Western PA Football Recruiting
Michicant is handing out $$ like it’s candy. They have millions in NIL money and are the ATM of the mediocre 18. These kids see the cash and are like dear in the headlights. Gimme Gimme Gimme…. death of college sports, just make it all corporate equity and get the colleges out of it already. Very 😔
H2P. 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰🤮