At this point, St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre has a bit of a different situation when it comes to recruitable players than he did a year ago.

Last year, the Prep featured safety Joenel Aguero, a mega-recruit with offers from anyone and everyone. He eventually signed with the University of Georgia. The Eagles also had wide receiver/defensive back Jesse Ofurie, who signed with Rutgers.

St. Pierre does not possess that kind of star power for his upcoming team, but the Prep still figures to be one of the top teams in the state.

Since 2018, St. John’s Prep has won three of the four Division 1 state titles played, as Covid eliminated one. Coming off a 13-0 win over Springfield Central last December, the Prep has good momentum heading into 2023, even after losing players like Aguero, Ofurie, and running back Carson Browne (Bentley).

We tracked down St. Pierre on the phone so he could give us a rundown of his top players for this week’s Recruiting Roundup.

The first prospect we discussed was class of 2024 outside linebacker Marquese Avery (6-foot-1, 210 pounds). Avery played well at Gillette and was one of the top players in the front seven for the Prep last year.

“He’s been attending a lot of junior days at the FCS level — Holy Cross, UNH. I think that’s within his reach,” St. Pierre said. “He has some interest in going to BC’s camp. I think FCS is probably most likely for him, ceiling-wise, but a dynamic player for us. He’s a really good player.”

St. Pierre described his strengths.

“He’s a very long, rangy, athletic kid,” St. Pierre said. “Great nose for the ball. Strong at the point of attack, very disruptive. He has very good ball skills. He plays receiver as well. He can be very disruptive off the edge in pass rush situations.”

There is a chance that Avery could go both ways at times this year at receiver.

“We worked him a little bit last year early (at receiver),” St. Pierre said. “I think the plan going in is to give that a crack, see what that looks like, and go from there. Defense is his primary position for us, but he’s an athlete and we’ve got to use him.”

Another talented edge player who did well at Gillette is Mason McSweeney (6-2, 225).

“He’s a d-end/outside linebacker type at the next level. Just tough, competitive, really good football player,” St. Pierre said. “He’s strong. He’s veteran, a three-year starter for us. He plays with great leverage. He plays with great strength. A great football IQ. He’s bright. Very smart. Knows the game. Very good instincts.”

As far as recruiting goes, many of the same schools will be interested in both.

“He’s kind of been in a similar boat as Marquese,” St. Pierre said. “A lot of junior days. Holy Cross, Columbia, Brown. Those jump off the page right off the bat. Academics, Ivy are definitely something he’s interested in. Both those guys want to play at the highest level. Both those guys are the FCS caliber. Senior season will play a big role, and their camp over the summer.”

Matt Callahan is also an edge defender who, at 6-1, 215 pounds, should have another big year.

“High IQ, really bright, strong at the point of attack,” St. Pierre said. “A big part of all these guys developing is they’re great in the weight room. They have great strength, and I think that was on display last year. We were a very physically strong team. All these guys are like that.”

The Prep will return an experienced offensive line, starting with right guard Wells Gillett (6-1, 255).

“Really had a solid junior year for us,” St. Pierre said. “A D3 type player, but would be a really good lineman at that level.”

Yet another player in the front seven to watch is inside linebacker John DRoggitis (6-0, 230).

“Just a very physical, strong, deceptively fast, he runs better than people think from his inside linebacker position,” St. Pierre said. “He’s very bright. He lines us up. He’s a typical inside linebacker. I mean that in a good way. High football IQ. Very physical at the point of attack. A lot like these other guys. They’re just all really solid, well-rounded football players.”

A player who split time with Browne last year is running back Dylan Aliberti, who should be the main back.

“We’ll be counting on him to play a lot this year,” St. Pierre said. “He’s a legitimate high-4.6 guy. He can run well. He’s pretty accomplished in our track program. Very athletic. This is really his time. He was behind some really good guys in James Guy and Carson Browne, so it’s really his time to step up. We’re really confident in him.”

Defensive end Anthony Carusi at 6-0, 195 pounds is “undersized,” St. Pierre said, but “definitely has the ability to play college football.”

Four other class of 2024 players to watch include Austin Lambert (DB), Jack Angelopolus (WR/DB), Matt Boucher (TE), and Grayson Ambrosh (CB).

Some 2025 players to watch include Jackson Tucker (ILB), Graham Roberts (LT, 6-2, 280), Jack DiFilippo (LG, 6-2, 260), Josh Haaran (TE, 6-1, 225), Alex Bajoras (NG, 6-1, 280), and Gael Garcia (FB, 6-1, 241).