Top 25 Pennsylvania high school football players from the Class of 2021

Video: Nolan Rucci Highlights
Watch Pennsylvania's No. 1 prospect in action as a junior.

When it comes to Pennsylvania's high school football 2021 prospects, one thing is clear — the Keystone State can defend.

According to the 247sports.com composite rankings, 16 of Pennsylvania’s Top 25 senior prospects play defense. Eight of the top players are defensive linemen. Six are defensive backs. Four are safeties.

Twelve of the top prospects remain uncommitted, but of those that have pledged, two each are going to Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Rutgers. The Buckeyes two commits are part of a three-player contingent from the same high school ranked in the Top 5 players.

6-8 | 295 | OT | Undecided
Five-star prospect is the country’s No. 4 tackle prospect and the No. 15 overall prospect regardless of division. Holds 29 offers including Clemson, Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas, Stanford and Michigan. Penn State and Wisconsin are listed as favorites. Will play in All-American Bowl. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 5A All-State. Father (Todd) played eight seasons in the NFL after playing at Penn State. Brother (Hayden) is a tight end at Wisconsin. Says 247sports director of scouting Barton Simmons: “Huge offensive line prospect with length, an athletic build and one of the more unique body types you will find…May not contribute in year one but has the look of a future Power Five high end starter with first or second day NFL Draft upside.”

2. Kyle McCord, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
6-3 | 204 | PRO | Ohio State
Five-star recruit and Ohio State commit is ranked the No. 3 overall pro-style quarterback prospect nationally and the No. 24 overall prospect regardless of position. Also and Elite 11 Finalist and All-American Bowl selection. Threw for school record 2,883 yards as a sophomore. Missed last month of the season last year with injury. Looking to lead Hawks to third straight PIAA title. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State. Says 247sports recruiting analyst Brian Dohn: “Wide-shouldered frame with good height and size. Strong arm and accurate…Multi-year starter at top 15 program. Projects to be an early round NFL draft pick.”

3. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
6-1 | 210 | ILB | Clemson
Son of former NFL linebacker and four-time Pro Bowler Jeremiah Trotter is ranked the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in the country. Also the 34th ranked recruit regardless of position nationwide. Runs a 4.81 40-yard dash and owns a 30.1-inch vertical. Will play in the Under Armour All-American game. Says Barton: “He’s a no-risk prospect and one of the most instinctive LBs in the class. We see him as an impact starter at a top tier program with early round NFL Draft upside.”

4. Derrick Davis Jr., Gateway (Monroeville)
6-1 | 194 | S | Undecided
The country’s No. 2 overall safety prospect and the country’s 52nd ranked recruit regardless of division. Holds 25 offers, including Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, Wisconsin and Michigan. Penn State considered the favorite. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 5A All-State selection will play in the Under Armour All-American Game. Runs a 4.64 40-yard dash and owns a 35.1-inch vertical. Says Dohn: “Ability to play for elite program as true freshman. Second day NFL draft pick potential.”

5. Marvin Harrison Jr., St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia)
6-4 | 184 | WR | Ohio State
Son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison and future Buckeye is the country’s 14th ranked receiver prospect. His 19 offers include LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Florida, Pitt and Michigan State. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State. First team selection on both the MaxPreps Sophomore and Junior All-American teams the past two seasons. Will play in the Under Armour All-American Game. Caught 47 passes for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. Runs a 4.64 40-yard dash and has a 31.3-inch vertical. Says Dohn: “High-level player for Top 15 college program. Should develop into a second- or third-round NFL draft pick.”

6. Elliot Donald, Central Catholic (Pittsburgh)
6-3 | 230 | DT | Undecided
Nephew of NFL defensive end Aaron Donald is considered the No. 9 defensive tackle prospect nationally and a Top 125 player regardless of position. Has 25 tackles-for-loss, 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles the past two years. Holds 18 offers including LSU, Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Pitt is considered the heavy favorite. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State. Says Dohn: “Frame and length ideal for edge rusher. … High level player for a top-20 program. Third-day NFL draft pick.”

7. Elijah Jeudy, Northeast (Philadelphia)
6-3 | 246 | WDE | Georgia
No. 10 weakside defensive end prospect nationally and a Top 175 player regardless of position. Two-sport athlete also excels in track (60 meters, high jump and long jump). Vertical is 35.8-inches. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 6A All-State. Says Dohn: “Jeudy has length and ideal size for rush end who can drop into coverage. ... Impact player at Top 15 school. Day 2 NFL Draft potential.”

8. Nahki Johnson, West Mifflin
6-3 | 225 | WDE | Pitt
A Top 20 prospect nationally at weakside defensive end. Committed to the Panthers on June 25. Penn State, Michigan and Virginia Tech among 11 offers. Says Dohn: “Good frame with length. Can easily add 25 pounds and carry 250…Multi-year starter at Top 15 program. Day 2 NFL draft potential.”

9. Tysheem Johnson, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
5-10 | 190 | S | Undecided
Country’s 17th ranked safety prospect. Holds 23 offers, including Ohio state, Michigan, Penn state, Pitt, LSU, Florida, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Stanford. Mississippi considered the favorite. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 3A All-State. Says Dohn: “Multi-year starter at Top 20 program. Day 3 NFL draft pick.”

10. Lonnie White, Malvern Prep
6-2 | 210 | ATH | Penn State
One of the country’s Top 25 athlete prospects. Originally committed to Clemson for baseball, but is now headed to Penn State for football. Also plays basketball. Says Dohn: “Excellent frame with mass. Elite-level three-sport athlete…Multi-year starter at Top 15 program. Day 3 NFL draft potential.”

11. Donovan McMillon, Peters Township (McMurray)
6-2 | 193 | S | Undecided
Top 25 safety prospect nationally. Holds a staggering 54 offers, including Penn State, Michigan, LSU, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Oregon and Oklahoma. Florida considered the favorite. Also wrestles (101-18 career rcord). Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 5A All-State. Says Simmons: “Big safety that appears to have the frame to land at linebacker or rover depending on development. Has a can’t-miss presence on the field…Instincts, size and developmental trajectory point to a Power Five impact starter with some positional versatility who we view as a future mid-round NFL Draft pick.

12. Dorien Ford, Baldwin (Pittsburgh)
6-4 | 290 | DT | Undecided
Top 25 defensive tackle prospect nationally. Holds 17 offers, including Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and Michigan state. Pitt is considered the favorite.

13. Robert Jackson, Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
6-6 | 245 | SDE | Undecided
Considered the nation’s No. 36 strongside defensive end prospect. Holds 17 offers, including Boston College, Indiana, West Virginia, Toledo, Pitt, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Virginia. Arizona State, Cincinnati and Rutgers are the slight favorites.

14. Javon McIntyre, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
6-1 | 187 | S | Pitt
Ranked the nation’s No. 51 safety prospect. Vertical is 32.8-inches. Arizona State, Tennessee, Michigan state, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Maryland among 15 offers.

15. Eric Gentry, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
6-6 | 205 | WDE | Undecided
Arizona State is the favorite to land the country’s No. 46 weakside defensive end prospect. Holds 19 offers, including Oregon, Texas A&M, Washington, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Virginia and West Virginia.

16. Aaron Gunn, Union Area (New Castle)
6-3 | 308 | OG | Louisville
Top 40 guard prospect nationally owns a 73-inch wing span. Kentucky, Michigan State, West Virginia and Western Michigan also offered.

17. Taleeq Robbins, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
6-3 | 300 | DT | Undecided
Top 50 defensive tackle prospect nationally. Had 40 tackles, six tackles-for-loss and three sacks last year. Owns 34 offers, including Georgia, Texas A&M, Auburn, Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, South Carolina and Virginia tech.. Texas A&M is listed as the favorite.

18. Tyler Needham, William Penn Charter (Philadelphia)
6-4 | 265 | OT | Rutgers
Top 75 tackle prospect nationally committed to the Scarlet Knights on June 13. West Virginia, Maryland, wake Forest, Arizona State and Boston College among his 17 offers.

19. Caleb Schmitz, Warwick (Lititz)
6-4 | 200 | OLB | Cincinnati
Country’s No. 46 outside linebacker prospect committed to the Bearcats on May 22. Also owns offers from Air Force, Army and Temple.

20. CJ Dippre, Lakeland (Jermyn)
6-5 | 245 | TE | Maryland
Nation’s No. 43 tight end prospect committed to the Terrapins on May 10. Virginia, Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, Army and Boston College among his 15 offers.

21. Khalil Dinkins, North Allegheny (Wexford)
6-3 | 220 | TE | Undecided
Son of former Pitt and NFL tight end Darnell Dinkins. A Top 45 tight end prospect nationally. Holds 16 offers, including Michigan, Michigan state, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Maryland, Kentucky and Georgia Tech. Penn State and Pitt listed as favorites.

22. Tyreek Chappell, Northeast (Philadelphia)
5-11 | 177 | CB | Undecided
Announcement coming July 4. Texas A&M listed as heavy favorite to land country’s No. 70 cornerback prospect. Holds 28 offers, including Tennessee, Michigan, Pitt, Penn State, Michigan State and Miami (Fla.).

23. Nate Bruce, Harrisburg
6-4 | 320 | OG | Penn State
Top 45 guard prospect nationally. Also owns offers from Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Toledo, Massachusetts and Bowling Green.

24. Shafeek Smith, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia)
5-9 | 165 | CB | Undecided
Top 80 cornerback prospect nationally holds 13 offers, including Penn State, Pitt, Oregon State, Rutgers, Maryland, Baylor and Temple.

25. Cam'Ron Stewart, Governor Mifflin (Shillington)
6-4 | 225 | SDE | Rutgers
Country’s No. 60 strongside defensive end prospect. Syracuse, Temple, Toledo among eight offers.