From an electric playmaker headed to the SEC, to a couple of Penn State pledges, and a quarterback who could shatter all of Pennsylvania’s passing records, the Mid-Penn figures to have plenty of talented guys suiting up on the offensive side of the ball this fall.
But who will be the best of the bunch?
- Mid-Penn football viewer’s guide: Players to know as practice begins
- Who is the Mid-Penn’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year? Vote and let us know
- Who is the Mid-Penn’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year? Vote and let us know
PennLive’s Mid-Penn preseason all-star team attempts to predict just that. So, check out our 2024 preseason all-star team’s offensive unit below and let us know who you think should have made it.
Harrisburg’s Kevin Brown pressures Central Dauphin’s Key'Ron Plummer last season.. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com
Kevin Brown
School: Harrisburg
Position: OL
HT/WT: 6-5, 270
Class: Junior
The Brown File: You will be hard pressed to find a more entertaining highlight film for an offensive lineman than the one this Penn State commit turned in last season. Brown was the most dominant lineman in the Mid-Penn and quite possibly the state. He was also excellent on defense, collecting 58 tackles, 22 for loss, to go with 11.5 sacks.
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Calvin Troutman
School: Altoona
Position: OL
HT/WT: 6-2, 285
Year: Senior
The Troutman File: Troutman was an honorable mention on PennLive’s Mid-Penn all-star team last season after he helped pave the way for Bron Mosley, who ran for 1,409 yards. Check out his X page and he has been throwing around some heavy weight in the offseason so expect another good year from him.
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Guner Hiller
School: Cedar Cliff
Position: OL
HT/WT: 6-3, 280
Class: Senior
The Hiller File: The Colts are going to run the football, and they did that well last season thanks, in part, to this big fella who did a heckuva job pulling out in front and knocking defenders down. With Hiller helping lead the way, Cedar Cliff averaged more than 6 yards per carry while running for more than 2,500 yards. Expect another big year from him.
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Yendor Mack
School: Susquehanna Township
Position: OL
HT/WT: 6-3, 280
Year: Junior
The Mack File: Mack had a strong offseason, and figures to be a key up front for A Hanna offense that has a chance to put up some points this year.
X: @MackYendor
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Cumberland Valley’s Tyler Merrill blocks against Wilson in a District III Class 6A high school football playoff game at Chapman Field, Friday, November 10, 2023. Paul Chaplin | Special to PennLivePaul Chaplin | Special to PennLi
Tyler Merrill
School: Cumberland Valley
Position: OL
HT/WT: 6-5, 315
Year: Junior
The Merrill File: The “Big Oak” is one of the most sought-after linemen in the country, and it’s not hard to see why when you turn on the film. He helped Cumberland Valley emerge as a surprise team last season with its rushing attack, and he should be in for another big year for the Eagles.
X: @BigOak2026
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Ty Salazer
School: State College
Position: ATH
HT/WT: 5-11, 165
Class: Senior
The Salazer File: Salazer was one of the most versatile players in the conference last season and that makes him our pick at “athlete.” he caught 66 passes for 1,079 yards and nine touchdowns, and was also in on 47 tackles with three interceptions and a sack.
X: @TySalazer
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Alex Long
School: Camp Hill
Position: WR
HT/WT: 6-3, 200
Year: Senior
The Long File: One of the most productive receivers in the conference, Long hauled in 72 passes for 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Little Lions last season. He was also strong on defense with 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception.
X: @alexlong_12
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Lex Cyrus is one of the most explosive players in the state. Mark Pynes | pennlive.comMark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
Lex Cyrus
School: Susquehanna Township
Position: WR
HT/WT: 5-10, 165
Year: Senior
The Cyrus File: One of the most explosive players in Pa., the South Carolina commit caught 67 passes for 1,115 yards and 13 scores, returned a kick for a score, and also filled in on defense last season.
X: @lexcyrus8
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Josh Smith
School: Mechanicsburg
Position: WR
HT/WT: 6-1, 170
Year: Senior
The Smith File: Smith was a beast on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats last season. He caught 72 passes for 1,022 yards and 16 touchdowns and was also in on 25 tackles and an interception.
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Elias Coke is one of the best receivers in Pa. Mark Pynes | pennlive.comMark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com
Elias Coke
School: Harrisburg
Position: WR
HT/WT: 6-2, 195
Year: Junior
The Coke File: Coke was one of the most physically gifted receivers in the Mid-Penn last season. Blessed with the ability to go up and win on the 50/50 ball, he hauled in 45 passes for 843 yards and 12 scores. He was also in on 55 tackles with 10 passes defensed for the District 3 6A champs.
X: @EliasCoke1
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Messiah Mickens
School: Harrisburg
Position: RB
HT/WT: 5-10 185
Year: Junior
The Mickens File: The Penn State commit accounted for 1,134 yards — 961 rushing, 173 on 13 catches — and 17 touchdowns last season.
X: @Messiah_1M
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CD East's Jared Porter runs the ball against Harrisburg last season. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive
Jared Porter
School: CD East
Position: RB
HT/WT: 5-9, 170
Year: Senior
The Porter File: The Delaware commit is coming off a monster junior campaign. Porter rushed for 1,807 yards and 20 touchdowns and was also in on 53 tackles with two interceptions.
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Bishop McDevitt quarterback Stone Saunders throws during practice earlier this week. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comDan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com
Stone Saunders
School: Bishop McDevitt
Position: QB
HT/WT: 6-2, 200
Class: Senior
The Saunders File: The Kentucky commit heads into his senior season with some big-time accomplishments within reach. He is in search of his third state title appearance and second win, and his 10,142 passing yards and 156 passing touchdowns put him within reach of Steel-High’s Alex Erby’s state records for career passing yards (13,562 yards) and passing touchdowns (176). Saunders threw for 3,522 yards with 56 touchdowns and just five interceptions last season.
-- Follow Brian Linder on Twitter @SportsByBLinder