If you follow high school football in Pennsylvania, or even nationally, you already know the deal with 17th and Girard. St. Joseph’s Prep doesn’t just play football; they operate a high-level talent factory that feels more like a mini-college program than a high school team. Honestly, looking at a st joe’s prep football roster can be a bit intimidating if you're an opposing coach. You aren't just looking at names; you’re looking at future Saturdays on ESPN and Sundays in the NFL.
But here’s the thing people get wrong. They think it’s just about recruiting the biggest kids. It’s not. It’s about the specific way Tim Roken and his staff develop guys like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. or Marvin Harrison Jr. before they ever hit a college campus.
The Stars Powering the 2025-2026 St Joe’s Prep Football Roster
The roster right now is a mix of seasoned upperclassmen and some young guys who are already pulling in Power 5 offers.
One name you’ve probably heard a million times by now is Charlie Foulke. As a quarterback in the 2027 class, he’s got that "it" factor. He isn't just a statue in the pocket; the kid can move. Last season, he put up massive numbers, throwing for over 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s the engine. When Foulke is on, the Prep is basically unbeatable.
Then you have the guys catching the rock. Jett Harrison is only a sophomore (Class of 2028), but he’s already a national-level recruit. If that last name sounds familiar, yeah, he’s the younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr. He’s already 6'2" and plays with a smoothness that makes you forget he’s still technically a lowerclassman.
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Defensive Anchors and the Trenches
Defense has always been the identity of the Hawks. It's fast. It's violent.
- Alex Haskell (2026): A 6'4", 265-pound monster on the defensive line. He’s a three-star recruit with a high motor who creates absolute chaos in the backfield.
- Mekhi Williams (2026): A versatile linebacker/safety hybrid who can cover ground like a track star.
- Simaj Hill (2026): One of the shutdown corners on the roster. You don't throw his way often.
- Brandon Lockley (2027): Another linebacker who is quickly becoming a household name in the Philly recruiting scene.
The offensive line is where the dirty work happens. You’ve got Jake Namnun and Stephen Landers III (both 2026) holding down the fort. These guys are massive—we're talking 275 to 295 pounds of pure strength. They provide the pocket for Foulke and the lanes for Khyan Billups, who has become the workhorse in the backfield after the departure of Isaiah West to Ohio State.
Why the Depth Chart is More Than Just Stars
People look at the 247Sports rankings and see the four-star and five-star labels. That's fine. But the reason the st joe’s prep football roster stays at the top of the PIAA Class 6A rankings year after year is the "next man up" culture.
Take a look at the special teams and the role players. Luke Cochrane handles the kicking duties, which is a huge deal in tight playoff games against rivals like La Salle College High School. Then you have guys like Alston Frisbey and Simon Colaberdino who might not get the national headlines of a Harrison or a Foulke, but they are the ones making the block or the third-down catch that keeps a drive alive.
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It’s a grueling schedule. They travel to Ohio to play St. Edward, they face Erasmus Hall from New York, and they deal with the gauntlet of the Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL). You need a deep roster to survive that.
The Coaching Factor
You can't talk about the roster without talking about Tim Roken. He took over after Gabe Infante and hasn't missed a beat. The staff includes guys like Michael Scannapieco and Tom Sugden who have been around the block. They run a pro-style system. By the time a kid leaves the Prep, they already know how to watch film like a pro and understand complex defensive rotations.
Recent Alumni Impact
The roster is a revolving door of elite talent. Just look at the names that recently graduated or are currently in the league:
- D'Andre Swift (Chicago Bears)
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Kyle McCord (Syracuse/NFL)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (Chicago Bears)
When a freshman walks into the locker room, they see those jerseys. They know the standard.
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Navigating the 2025 Season Challenges
It hasn't been a perfect road. The loss to La Salle in the 2024 regular season (that 4-overtime thriller) was a wake-up call. It proved that while the Prep has the talent, the rest of the PCL is catching up. The current roster had to learn from that. They eventually got their revenge in the playoffs, but it showed that they can't just sleepwalk through the schedule.
The 2025-2026 squad is younger in some key spots than the state title teams of the past. There’s a lot of pressure on the 2027 class—guys like Masiia Acrey and Brandon Ross—to step into leadership roles earlier than expected.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruiters
If you're trying to keep tabs on this team, don't just look at the MaxPreps stats. Those don't tell the whole story because the Prep often pulls their starters by the third quarter in blowout wins.
- Watch the 2027 Class: This is the core that will determine if the Prep can maintain its "three-peat" or "four-peat" energy. Foulke and Harrison are the headliners, but keep an eye on the interior linemen.
- Recruiting Buzz: Keep an eye on Alex Haskell's commitment status. He’s the type of defensive lineman that changes a college program's floor.
- The Schedule Matters: If you want to see what this roster is actually made of, watch the out-of-state games. That’s where the depth is truly tested.
The st joe’s prep football roster remains the gold standard in Pennsylvania high school football. Whether you love them or hate them, the "Hawklet" pipeline is showing no signs of slowing down.
To stay updated on the most current player movements and official game-day depth charts, the best move is to follow the team's official social media accounts or check the PIAA District 12 eligibility lists. Recruiting sites like On3 and 247Sports are great for following individual trajectories, but the team's chemistry is best seen in person at Franklin Field or wherever they’re hosting their big PCL matchups this year.