As the recruiting cycle begins earlier and earlier for high school prospects across the country, several 2019 players in the western Pennsylvania region have already distinguished themselves and emerged as targets to watch. It's too early to say definitively what kind of future these prospects will have or to rank players who are just seeing their first varsity action, but each of them are worth watching as their college recruiting process begins or picks up. This list is not in order and is simply a rundown of notable prospects to watch from the WPIAL and the western Pennsylvania region.

Hart's career is just starting to take off, but the Plum (Pa.) wide receiver holds an offer from Temple and has visited Pitt, Notre Dame, Kentucky, and others. He's a big-bodied and physical wide receiver who came down with 25 catches for 545 yards and six touchdowns in his sophomore season. Hart earned an invite to the Rivals Underclassmen Challenge this past offseason and stood out for his impressive hands and strength. The Plum sophomore has the potential to be the best receiver out of the Pittsburgh area since Tyler Boyd and Robert Foster impressed in the 2013 class.

Marlin Devonshire Jr. is not the biggest body on this list, but few players have made their impact felt on big stages the way that Devonshire has early in his career. The Aliquippa sophomore pairs with 2018 Rivals250 safety Kwantel Raines to make a dynamic duo in the defensive backfield and has shown off impressive ball skills and instincts in coverage. His wingspan is longer than his 5-foot-11, 165-pound listing would suggest.

Corey Thomas has excelled early on Central Catholic's football factory, emerging as one of the next recruits to come through that pipeline. Several Power Five programs have shown interest in Thomas and the wait on his offer shouldn't take much longer. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, he makes for an interesting prospect that could play at safety or wide receiver at the next level. Thomas is long and athletic and his combination of size and speed will be attractive to college coaches.

Thomas' teammate on the Vikings' defense, defensive end/pass-rushing specialist Brian Dallas has all the tools to be a highlight reel sack artist for Central Catholic for the next two years. Dallas is quick coming around the edge and has shown impressive change-of-direction ability in the backfield. He needs to mature physically to deal with more physical linemen, but that will come with time. Pass-rushing is at a premium in today's football climate and Dallas has the goods.

Wright's inclusion on this list might be cheating a bit, as the Farrell (Pa.) standout doesn't play in the WPIAL. However, he is in the western Pennsylvania region, right on the Ohio border, so we'll bend the rules a little. Wright plays both ways for Farrell at quarterback and linebacker, but his blend of size, physicality, and athleticism should make him a freaky option on defense at the next level. He already checks in at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds and has shown a willingness to hit and a capability to move comfortably in space. Look for Wright to blossom into a big-time recruit down the road.

- Tyler Brennan is a quick, sudden wide receiver from North Hills who can really make things happen in open space and create separation from his defender. Needs to add weight, but is a playmaker.

- Jake Stebbins of Seneca Valley and Tyler King of Pine Richland are a pair of inside linebackers who played important roles for very good teams as sophomores. King is the better of the two covering in space while Stebbins is the better finisher at the point of attack, but both will be players to watch.

- Luke Thomas of Indiana (Pa.) is a 6-foot-2 quarterback with clean mechanics and a live arm who should be among the best at his position in the state for the 2019 class.

- Logan Clark is a defensive lineman and tight end out of Peters Township who will likely grow into a defensive tackle role as he matures physically. Clark has the tools to be a nice three-tech tackle.

- Upper St. Clair's Colin McLinden is a hard-nosed safety who excels at playing against the run. He's on the thinner side, but shows a willingness to hit and play aggressively.

- Mateo Vandamia of West Allegheny is a wide receiver/tight end who isn't as fast or quick as some of his peers at the position, but has excellent hands and seems to make big plays when he's called upon. Vandamia will need to grow to be a tight end or get quicker to be a wide receiver, as he's a bit of a tweener, but the kid is a gamer.

- Defensive back Jayvon Thrift of Norwin is an impressive player who can really strike coming out of the safety position and shows a nose for the football. He amassed some impressive numbers in his sophomore season.