Jersey Shore AYF All-Star Tryouts: Linebacker 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 linebackers that shined. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212588 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/DanielBreen-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Daniel Breen | Manalapan | 2026</strong> Dawning his white, number eight Manalapan Braves jersey, Breen was a standout at the linebacker position. He was fundamentally sound in nearly every little thing coaches had him do. He really stood out during drills that highlighted his quickness such as the pass drop drill, which helped display his ability to react and run at an angle to where he needed to be. He looked very well put together at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds of muscle. I don’t think I heard Breen say a word the entire tryout, as he simply worked with a hardhat/lunch pail mentality to get the job done. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212589 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/DanielZabora-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Daniel Zabora | Jackson | 2026</strong> Zabora was an athlete I was familiar with coming into the tryout and showed why there’s starting to be a little buzz around him. Zabora was listed at 5-foot-11 and 145 pounds, but certainly looked bigger in person. At this point he’s kind of a “tweener”, meaning he’s a little slower than your traditional outside linebacker at this level but doesn’t have the conventional weight of a defensive end either. Regardless of any labels people like to throw around, Zabora kept making plays during the tryout. He has great length and loves to stick his nose in plays and get physical. With Zabora, he’s not even close to done growing yet, so the ceiling is high for this prospect. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212590 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JacobZapata-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jacob Zapata | Jackson | 2026</strong> Another Jackson Jaguar defending his home turf, Zapata had a pretty day at the tryout. More of a weakside linebacker in my opinion, he showed pretty good movement when attacking the line of scrimmage. Zapata has some room for improvement in his overall speed and pass dropping ability but he’s a smart player who can come up and lay the wood when it's needed. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212593 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JaydenNascimento-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jayden Nascimento | Southern | 2026</strong> Nascimento had a lot of coaches and staff members talking about the day he had at the tryout. Not only did he stamp his ticket with his flawless long snapping ability, but he was a playmaker at linebacker as well. A well-built 6-foot and 170 pounds, Nascimento plays with an attacking mentality and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder pads at the point of contact. With his current size and expected continued growth, he may ultimately end up as a defensive end but for right now was one of the most impressive athletes as a standup outside linebacker. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212594 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/ZachkaiMcDonald-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Zachkai McDonald | Long Branch | 2026</strong> McDonald was an explosive player who was really making the pads pop at the tryout. He was physical in all situations with the thickness and strength to play through traffic in the run game. The 165-pounder played with a fierce demeanor and high motor throughout the day. He showed he’s a reliable kid and a solid tackler who arrives with purpose and generally displays sound technique. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212595 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/AhsereWolfolk-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ah’sere Woolfolk | Manalapan | 2026</strong> In a pretty evenly contested linebacker group, Woolfork seemed to do the little things rights on a regular basis during the tryout. I was impressed with his ability to play downhill in run support. When watching him move, I was surprised that he showed the potential to be a big hitter that arrives with power. Occasionally sacrifices he did sacrifice some of the necessary technique at the point of contact, but that skill will improve. I’d like to see him become a little more fluid in his hips during pass drops, but right now he does a good enough job to get it done on the field.