Find yourself debating our 25 under 25 list? Well, maybe this list will help explain some of our reasoning — or give you something else to talk about.
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Several athletes, ranging from high school to professional, just missed the cut. Some turned 25 earlier this year, while others were considered but didn’t quite crack the final list.
However, this gives you a glimpse into the name’s to look out for in next year’s 25 under 25. With that being said, here’s our top Philly athletes who missed the list.
Just aged out …
Tyrese Maxey
Since Maxey’s rookie season in 2020-21, he has been on an upward trajectory to becoming the focal point of the 76ers. The point guard was named NBA Most Improved Player and earned his first All-Star selection in 2023-24.
Maxey’s stellar fourth year led to a five-year, $204 million max contract. Lingering injuries derailed his 2024-25 season, but he made up for it last season, when he became the franchise all-time leader in three-pointers, surpassing Allen Iverson.
He also earned his second All-Star nod and was named a starter for the Eastern Conference. Let’s also not forget his highlight moment when he recorded a career-high 54 points to become the second player in Sixers’ history to record at least 50 points and nine assists in a game.
Jalen Carter
Carter still has some time to claim the title as best defensive tackle in the NFL, but he has established himself as one of the top players in his position in just four seasons in the league.
And the Eagles believe so as well. Carter signed a contract extension this offseason through 2031 that’s worth $152 million, with $106 million guaranteed, making the 25-year-old the highest paid defensive tackle in league history.
Carter received back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2024 and 2025, despite missing time while recovering from shoulder injuries last season. His 2024 season might have been his most productive, as he played 79.4% of the defensive snaps.
Jalyx Hunt
There’s high expectations for Hunt after a record-setting 2025 season, where the edge rusher became the first player in Eagles history to lead the team in sacks (6½) and interceptions (three) in the same season.
As a rookie, he played 23% of defensive snaps, had 21 tackles, and recorded a half-sack in Super Bowl LIX.
Last season, he took quite a leap. He more than doubled his tackles (52) and is now preparing for his third NFL season.
Trevor Zegras
Zegras, another Philly star now on a big contract, signed a four-year, $36.5 million extension, carrying an average annual value of $9.125 million, which made him the highest-paid Flyer in annual average value.
The center quickly became a fan favorite last season, his first with the Flyers. Zegras had a career high in goals (26) and was a key contributor in the Flyers’ postseason run.
Next up …
Jamie Drysdale
In two seasons with the Flyers, Drysdale, 24, developed greatly on the defensive side of the puck and was awarded the team’s most improved player for 2025-26.
He’s dealt with numerous injuries throughout his NHL career, and, despite struggling early on in Philadelphia, the defenseman skated in 78 games while averaging 21 minutes, 33 seconds and a career-high eight goals this past season.
He earned a four-year, $26 million extension this offseason. The deal made him the highest-paid defenseman on the Flyers in AAV.
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Dominick Barlow
Barlow joined the Sixers last season on a two-way contract, but later had it converted to a standard two-year deal. He jumped right into the action and even became a part-time starter.
Before free agency began, the Sixers picked up his $3.4 million team option for the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old is coming off the best season of his career four-year career, in which he averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He made 59 starts in 71 games.
While his role certainly will change this season, the forward has shown he can be a valuable resource.
Neil Pierre
The 18-year-old homegrown talent signed a professional contract in 2023 with Union II, the club’s reserve team. In 2025, the 6-foot-5 defender signed a first-team contract through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029.
He was named MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year that season, and in January was loaned to Danish first-division side Lyngby Boldklub. He returned to the Union in July and quickly stepped in at centerback. He even scored his first goal in his second career game for the first team.
Aidan Miller
Miller is ranked as the Phillies No. 2 prospect and 61st in the MLB. However, the infielder has missed the entire season with recurring lower-back issues.
Last year, however, he was on a tear. Miller had 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, 59 stolen bases, a .264 average, and an .825 OPS across 116 games between double A and triple A.
In June, Miller underwent a radiofrequency ablation of the facet joints in his spine. The Phillies said in July that they expect the 22-year-old to play this season, though he likely won’t reach the majors.
The future …
Jasmine Jackson
Jackson has become one of the nation’s fastest hurdlers at 16 years old. The Winslow Township High junior set several records this spring. She won the New Jersey Meet of Champions with a personal-best 13.28 seconds.
Her time ranks third in state history, No. 3 all-time on the wind-legal list for sophomores, and No. 3 in the nation for the 2026 season. When she was 14 years old, Jackson broke the national record for the 100-meter hurdles in her age group with a time of 13.72 seconds.
Ryan Carter
Since eighth grade, Carter has been getting looks by Division I schools and even received several scholarship offers. Now entering her senior year at Friends’ Central, the 6-foot guard is ranked nationally by ESPN as the No. 12 girls’ basketball player in her class.
She spent two years at Penn Charter, playing varsity as an eighth grader, then played a season at Archbishop Wood, where she won a state championship, and will finish her high school career with the Phoenix. She averaged 17.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.8 steals last season.
Carter recently won a gold medal with the United States under-18 national team and has more than 30 college scholarship offers, including from LSU, Duke, and Notre Dame.
Jett Harrison
Harrison, the younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr. and son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., is considered ESPN’s No. 6 overall player in the class of 2028. He had 15 receiving touchdowns as a sophomore for St. Joseph’s Prep.
He announced his commitment to Ohio State in July, following in his brother’s footsteps. Recently during Arizona Cardinals’ training camp, Marvin Jr. said, “he’s definitely more talented than I was ever at that age.”
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