Talent abounds at Imhotep, which features numerous players to watch in the quest for a state title

Rahmir Stewart had originally planned on announcing his commitment before the start of his senior year.

Instead of announcing at the end of July as scheduled, however, Stewart pressed pause, taking more time to schedule visits and weigh his options. The 6-foot safety is currently down to six schools: Oregon, Texas A&M, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Penn State.

“Just trying to be patient and really find the best situation for me and also try to get out and get some more [visits],” Stewart said. “I haven’t traveled a lot because, first of all, 10th-grade year [was] COVID then 11th-grade year we just scattered everywhere.”

The Imhotep senior was set to close a recruiting process that began nearly three years ago when he drew his first Division I offer from West Virginia. Since then, Stewart has collected offers from major Power 5 programs and has become a top-10 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania.

While Imhotep prepares to kickoff its season Saturday against Bishop McDevitt in Chambersburg, Stewart remains one of the state’s top uncommitted players. Though his focus is on helping the Panthers make a return trip to the state championship, Stewart is already working on scheduling visits and has suggested that his announcement could come toward the end of September.

In addition to setting up visits, Stewart has leaned on several of his current and former Imhotep teammates while working to find his perfect fit. He has had conversations with former Panthers teammates who are now going through fall camp at their respective colleges.

“The guys at the schools can give me insight [into] what it’s really like because anybody can give you a recruiting pitch,” Stewart said. “So, they gave me a nice insight, and then I see how they’re developed. So, it definitely helps my process.”

Stewart has also been able to talk through the recruiting process with Imhotep senior linebacker Semaj Bridgeman, who transferred to Imhotep from Archbishop Wood ahead of his senior season. The four-star linebacker committed to Michigan in July and has since started to try to get his new Panthers teammate to join him in Ann Arbor.

“Now that he committed to Michigan, he’s always bragging about Michigan, trying to get me out there with him too,” Stewart said. “So, yeah, we definitely talk about it a lot.”

Stewart and Bridgeman will headline an Imhotep program that has no shortage of talent. Ahead of the Panthers’ season opener on Saturday, here’s a look at some of the other notable recruits on the Imhotep roster.

» READ MORE: Why Semaj Bridgeman transferred to Imhotep and the linebacker is being recruited by top college programs

A three-star recruit in the class of 2024, Woseley is currently ranked as the No. 8 player in the state. He recently announced his top 12 schools, a list that included in-state programs Penn State and Pittsburgh.

Woseley joins Stewart as one of the veteran defenders in the Imhotep secondary. Due to his athleticism and high football IQ, he’ll suit up at several different positions for the Panthers this fall.

“Kenny is an intelligent, smart football player,” Imhotep associate head coach Cyril Woodland said. “His football IQ is very high, and that’s what just elevates his game.”

After committing to Pitt in April, Jahsear Whittington became a champion for the school on Twitter, constantly engaging with Pitt fans, as well as fellow commits. Whittington, a three-star defensive lineman, chose the Panthers over Michigan, Boston College, and Nebraska, among others.

Playing alongside the likes of Enai White last year, the 6-foot-2, 255-pound lineman got valuable reps as a sophomore. He’ll look to carry the success from a season ago into what should be a bigger role on Imhotep’s defense.

“Jahsear Whittington, the Pitt commit, is one of the guys that played a lot as a sophomore,” Woodland said. “He was a person on that defense that did contribute to the success we had.”

Zahir Mathis is on his way to following White’s path. Similar to White, Mathis stands at 6-foot-5 and has a level of athletic talent that has attracted the attention of all major Power 5 programs. Currently, Mathis has offers from the likes of Texas A&M, Georgia, and Penn State.

After being a talented newcomer on Imhotep’s defensive line a year ago, Mathis will look to step up and fill the hole left by White’s departure to Texas A&M.

“Zahir Mathis was one of the guys who was very talented [and] was a younger guy on our defensive line last year,” Woodland said. This year, he’s “taking that next step as well, being more of a vocal guy [and] more of a leader.”

Coleman started to make noise on the recruiting trail following his breakout freshman campaign at Imhotep. The 6-foot running back drew his first offer from Temple last October and went on to draw offers from many Power 5 teams.

The sophomore didn’t waste time making a decision, announcing his commitment to Kirby Smart’s Georgia program in July. Coleman will look to follow the path of another running back prospect from Philadelphia who starred at Georgia: Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift.

“The team is going to, especially the offensive side, is going to go as he goes,” Woodland said. “So just seeing him take ownership of being the guy and just practicing every day like he’s the guy, and just seeing that development and that part of his game has been exciting to see.”