Jersey Shore AYF All-Star Tryouts: Athlete Standouts

On a beautiful, sunny, late-September day, the reigning AYF 14u All-Star Division National Champions held their official tryout for the 2021 season. Jersey Shore AYF had well over 100 players hit the field in Jackson, N.J. in an effort to travel to Florida in December and contend for a national championship. Here’s a look at some of the athletes (meaning they could play multiple positions) that shined.

Tyler Palumbo Tyler Palumbo 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Red Bank Regional | 2026 NJ | Rumson-Fair Haven | 2026

Palumbo was an interesting prospect to scout this weekend because I’m not sure where he best fits—but he fits somewhere. Palumbo registered and tried out as a quarterback/linebacker but has the body type to play many positions. At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds he has good size and length. He moves around a little stiff and rigid but is physically more advanced than other athletes at the tryout. If he ends up making the team, I could see him playing quarterback in an emergency situation or tight end because of his understanding of the route tree and his physicality. On defense it wouldn’t be shocking if he played linebacker or defensive end given what he showed as well.

Trey Tallmadge | Brick | 2026

Tallmadge was at the all-star tryout for the entire day and tried out at multiple positions—showing flashes at nearly all of them. He’s listed at 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, which speaks to his versatility and ability to play multiple position. He showed the ability to play any of the skills positions on both sides of the ball, but I think he will eventually settle in as a very athletic outside linebacker. The brother of a state champion wrestler, Trey is the definition of an athlete on the youth level and can line up anywhere from Safety to defensive end and anywhere in between.

Will Andrade | Long Branch | 2026

Plain and simple, I loved what I saw out of Andrade at the tryout. The kid was as scrappy as they come and somebody I would certainly want playing with me, as oppose to against me. While not the biggest kid at 5-foot-8 and 130 pounds, he was tough as nails and brought a nasty demeanor to the tryout with his play. Trying out as both a wide receiver and linebacker, I think Andrade should ultimately find a home as a strong safety. He’s a kid that looks for contact instead of avoiding it and certainly can aid in run support by crashing the box.

Dante Kain Dante Kain 5'10" | 195 lbs | ATH Bergen Catholic | 2026 NJ | Long Branch | 2026

Kain is another kid who can play multiple positions depending on need. During his youth career he’s played everything from quarterback to running back, linebacker to defensive end and tight end to wide receiver. Currently being sought after many of the top private schools in the state, I think Kain looks like a great H-back. He is a big, strong kid with a thick lower body that can drive people off the ball if blocking. If asked to be a receiver, he has soft hands and a big body that will make defensive back’s think twice about attempting to tackle him.

Jake Clayton | Wall | 2026

At the tryout, Clayton was a kid I noticed pretty quickly because of his physique; he stands at only 5-foot-6 and 137 pounds but is as solid as they come on the youth level. He’s a compact, strong athlete that looks more like a wrestler than a football player right now. He came to the tryout as a running back and a linebacker—and excelled as a linebacker. However, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him play safety, corner or linebacker due to his ability. Regardless of where he lines up, he’s a tough assignment for opposing offenses to get around.