2024 Fabulous 22

November 28, 2024

Opening day rosters for NFL teams this season had 11 players who were former members of the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 all-star team. That shouldn’t come as a big surprise because from 1980 through 2018, the Fabulous 22 has had at least one future NFL player every year except two (1997 and 2017).

Like turkey and stuffing, the Fab 22 is a Thanksgiving tradition in Western Pennsylvania high school sports, first published in 1980. The team is picked by the Post-Gazette scholastic sports staff, with help from district coaches, and is made up of the top 22 players in the WPIAL and City League, regardless of position.

If the past is any indication, some of the players on this year’s team are destined for big things. Many have gone on to play at major colleges and in the NFL. Nine former Fab 22 picks have been NFL first-round draft picks, a few are in the College Football Hall of Fame and three — Allderdice’s Curtis Martin and Aliquippa’s Ty Law and Darrelle Revis — are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bradley Gompers

LB-WR | Central Catholic

6'5", 215 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Has been outstanding two-way player for WPIAL 6A champs. Has 45 solo tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks and one interception. Also big-play receiver with 27 catches for 795 yards (29.4 average) and 11 TDs.

Tikey Hayes

RB-DB | Aliquippa

6'0", 200 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Three-time Fabulous 22 selection. Struggled with some injuries this year, but ends his career as one of the leading rushers ever in the WPIAL. Finished sixth in league history with 6,882 rushing yards on 846 carries and had 95 touchdowns. Ran for 979 yards and 16 TDs this season.

Matt Sieg

QB-DB | Fort Cherry

6'0", 185 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Statistically, one of top players in WPIAL history. One of only two players in league history to both rush and pass for 4,000 yards. First to run and pass for 1,000 yards in three seasons. Has 10,353 career yards (6,176 rushing and 4,177 passing) and 107 touchdowns. This season has rushed for 1,904 yards and thrown for 1,285. Also has four INTs on defense. Won the Class 1A championship.

Shep Turk

OL-DL | Thomas Jefferson

6'5", 270 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Two-way standout for WPIAL Class 4A champion. One of the main reasons for Thomas Jefferson’s strong running game. Also part of defense that allows only 10 points a game. Won WPIAL wrestling championship in heavyweight division as a junior.

Mickey Vaccarello

LB-TE | Peters Township

6'3", 210 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Made Fab 22 last year. Helped team to WPIAL 5A title game. This season, had eight sacks, 22 tackles for loss, two INTs and two defensive touchdowns. In the last two seasons, had 21 sacks and 41 tackles for loss.

Xxavier Thomas

WR-DB | Central Catholic

5'10", 160 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
The X Man is a two-way standout and a big-play specialist for the WPIAL Class 6A champs. Has 29 receptions for 624 yards (21.5 average) and eight TDs. Has six interceptions on defense. Also averages 21.9 yards on punt returns.

Dayshaun Burnett

WR-LB | Imani Christian

6'4", 220 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Four-star linebacker via 247sports, and ranked as the No. 8 recruit in Pennsylvania. Leading receiver on offense and played many different positions. A force on defense at linebacker.

Lincoln Hoke

OL-DL | North Allegheny

6'1", 250 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
One of best defensive linemen in the WPIAL. Had 66 tackles, 37 unassisted, along with nine tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception. Son of former Steeler defensive lineman Chris Hoke.

Nate Stohl

OG-DE | Upper St. Clair

6'3", 270 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Standout lineman on both offense and defense for team that finished 11-1 and made WPIAL semifinals. Excellent run blocker, but also a force on defense with 16 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Kemon Spell

RB-CB | McKeesport

5'9", 185 lbs. | Sophomore

The scoop:
Scouting services rank him among the top five sophomore running backs in the country. Rushed 142 times for 1,617 yards (11.4 average) this season and scored 24 touchdowns. Had 15 carries for 280 yards in WPIAL semifinals against Mars. Has rushed for 2,134 yards in two seasons and averaged 11.9 yards a carry.

Scoop Smith

WR-DB | Woodland Hills

5'6", 150 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
He’s smallish, but a master of the big play. Scored 15 touchdowns that averaged whopping 48.4 yards. Nine TDs on receptions, three on rushing, two on kickoff returns and one on punt return. Caught 38 passes for 630 yards and rushed for 352 on 27 attempts. Has 112 career receptions. Defending WPIAL 100-meter champ.

Reston Lehman

LB-TE | Peters Township

6'4", 230 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Two-way starter since freshman year. One of the best junior linebackers in the state. Strong outside backer who had four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season.

Brayden White

WR-DB | Thomas Jefferson

6'0", 177 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Playing for a run-first team, White has been a playmaker at receiver for the Jaguars. Has caught 61 passes for 1,226 yards (20.1 average) and scored 13 touchdowns for WPIAL Class 4A champs. Instrumental in WPIAL championship game win against McKeesport when he had a touchdown reception and an 86-yard interception return for TD. Also standout defensive back with four INTs.

Donald Barksdale

RB-DB | Steel Valley

5'10", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Ran for more than 2,000 yards past two seasons. This year, ran for 2,239 yards and scored 32 touchdowns. He finished his career with the Ironmen as the No. 19 rusher in WPIAL history with 559 carries for 5,267 yards and 86 touchdowns.

Parker Cunningham

OL-DL | South Park

6'4", 290 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
One of the WPIAL’s best linemen, combining with twin brother Troy to lead South Park to its first WPIAL title in 19 years. The 11-1 Eagles have run for more than 3,700 yards this year, largely behind the Cunninghams.

Naytel Mitchell

RB-LB | Penn Hills

5'10", 190 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Top running back who rushed for 1,321 yards and 20 TDs to lead Indians to the Class 5A playoffs. Had 254 rushing yards and three TDs in a playoff win against Moon. On defense, had 83 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

Jay Timmons

DB-WR | Pine-Richland

5'11", 175 lbs. | Junior

The scoop:
Leading receiver for WPIAL 5A champs with 34 catches for 686 yards and 10 TDs. Best known for defense. Has four INTs and returned three for TDs. Forced two fumbles. Son of former Steeler Lawrence Timmons.

JaVaughn Moore

RB-LB | Bethel Park

5'11", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Was a workhorse back for the Black Hawks. Was WPIAL’s fifth-leading rusher in regular season. Finished with 2,084 yards on 285 carries, scored 32 total touchdowns. Over the last two seasons he had 3,020 yards on the ground and 40 touchdowns.

Brock Cornell

RB-QB-DB | West Allegheny

5'11", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Four-year starter who was a model of versatility, making first-team all-conference on offense and defense. This year, rushed for 1,010 yards on 113 attempts, caught 8 passes, made 97 tackles on defense and intercepted 2 passes. Averaged 32 yards on punt returns. Had 397 career tackles.

John Wetzel

QB-DB | Latrobe

6'0", 185 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
Four-year starter on defense and three on offense. One of best DBs in WPIAL. As a talented dual-threat QB, rushed for 1,076 yards and threw for 914 this season. Finished career with 3,020 yards passing and 2,596 passing.

Lloyd Penn

WR-DB | Westinghouse

5'10", 190 lbs. | Senior

The scoop:
A four-year starter who won three City League championships. A big-play receiver who averaged 24.1 yards per reception. Caught 46 passes for 1,109 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. Also played defense at various times in his career.

Khalil Taylor

WR-DB | Seton LaSalle

5'11", 183 lbs. | Sophomore

The scoop:
One of two sophomores on Fab 22. Master of big plays at receiver and kick returner. Caught 56 passes for 956 yards for WPIAL Class 2A finalist. Returned two kickoffs for TDs and one interception.