Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1518105
5 8 A P R I L 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M W hen On3 updated its player rat- ings for the class of 2025 in late February, some of Pennsylva- nia's top uncommitted prospects made significant moves. In addition, one of Penn State's com- mitted prospects made a massive jump, with Alex Tatsch of Latrobe climbing all the way to No. 52 in the country and No. 3 at the linebacker position. Listed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Tatsch had pre- viously been unranked but now is the top player in Penn State's class accord- ing to On3. "I loved his film. He plays so instinc- tively. He plays really fast and was su- per productive," On3 scouting director Charles Power said. "I see a really fluid, natural athlete there. His movement skills just kind of pop out on film to me, and I think he plays at a different speed and sees the game really quickly. I also really liked what he showed on offense [as a runner and pass catcher]. His change of direction and just overall quickness were impressive." Power noted that Tatsch hasn't played against the strongest competi- tion at Greater Latrobe, which com- petes in the WPIAL's Class AAAA Big Seven Conference. But On3 is confident in its evaluation of the four-star pros- pect. "I think he dominates to the level that you would expect for a touted pros- pect playing at that level," Power said. "I came away really liking his film a lot within this year's linebacker group. He'll also fit Penn State really well." Tatsch may have made the biggest move, but he's still only No. 2 overall in Pennsylvania. That's because quarter- back Matt Zollers of Spring-Ford High in Royersford also made a big jump, climbing from No. 164 in the On300 all the way up to No. 17. He's now the third-ranked quarterback in the coun- try and will become a five-star prospect if he stays that high overall. "When you look at the quarterback class, Matt Zollers is a really impressive prospect in a vacuum," Power said. "But when you look at the quarterback posi- tion as a group, which is really how we start our process, ranking within each position group first, I think he stacks up really well within the quarterback group nationally. "When you add in his overall consis- tency — he had a great [junior] season — and then boil it down to his ability to make high-level plays, especially against pressure, it's as good as anybody in this cycle at quarterback. When you look at him overall, there are just not a lot of holes to poke in his game. I think he has as few questions as any of these other top guys." Three other Pennsylvania prospects also made big jumps in the rankings, including offensive lineman Michael Carroll from Central Bucks East High in Doylestown. Previously ranked No. 117 in the nation, Carroll is now up to No. 69 and is the third-ranked interior offensive lineman in the country. Power said that his physical development has created an opportunity for the 6-foot- 6, 300-pound prospect to play all five positions up front. "I think with Michael Carroll, this is a guy who has really blossomed physi- cally. He has legit tackle size now at 6-6 and is just scratching the surface of his potential," Power said. "He has really good functional movement skills and he carries his weight well. I think the biggest thing with him is just continu- ing to hone in on his technique and add polish to his game. But when you look at his pure physical traits, there's a lot to like there." Tight end Andrew Olesh of Southern Pennsylvania Prospects Rise In Latest On3 Rankings For 2025 Class RYA N S N Y D E R | RYA N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M Linebacker Alex Tatsch was the highest riser in Penn State's class when On3 revised its rankings in late February. The Greater Latrobe (Pa.) High prospect had been unranked previously but checked in at No. 52 among all prospects nation- ally in the update. PHOTO BY GREG PICKEL