WPIAL
WPIAL 2025 Prospect Reclassifying, Taking Post-Grad Year
Upper St. Clair’s Van Hellmann is one of the top uncommitted senior prospects in the WPIAL with several Division I offers, but he has decided to take another year at the prep level.
Hellmann announced this week that he is reclassifying to the 2026 class and taking a post-grad year at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire.
#AGTG I am blessed to announce I will be reclassifying to the class of 2026 and be taking a Post-Graduate year at Phillips Exeter Academy! @CoachV1781 @PEAFootball pic.twitter.com/2UykRAmisx
— Van Hellmann (@van_hellmann) May 7, 2025
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker added an offer from Georgetown University Wednesday just a few hours after his announcement. Hellmann holds additional D-I offers from Army, Navy, Richmond, Merrimack, VMI and Sacred Heart.
As a senior, Hellmann was a standout for a USC defense that held opponents to 9.2 points per game — the second-best in the entire WPIAL. In 12 games, Hellmann totaled 41 tackles (31 solo), one tackle for loss, one interception, one pass breakup and two fumble recoveries as he earned First-Team All-Conference honors.
He also was utilized on offense in a tight end/halfback role. He hauled in seven receptions for 112 yards, while adding two carries for 12 yards. The Panthers went undefeated during the regular season, winning the Allegheny Six Conference title, which was the first since 2017. Their season would come to a close at 11-1 after falling to Peters Township in the Class 5A semifinals.
Hellmann joins a Phillips Exeter Academy program that has plenty of recent success. Over the past three seasons, the Big Red have gone 21-4 with back-to-back Northeast Prep Conference titles.
USC’s 2025 senior class produced four Division I recruits with defensive lineman Michael Albert and offensive lineman Nate Stohl committing to Princeton, offensive lineman Brock Gillespie signing with Colgate and wide receiver/safety Charlie Bywalski committing to Sacred Heart.
For more on all the Western Pennsylvania prospects with Division I offers and commitments, check out Pittsburgh Sports Now‘s WPIAL Football Recruiting Board.
