Ten 8th Graders (2026) to Know in The Garden State

<img class="alignleft wp-image-215132 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JakeNamnun-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205506" first="Jake" last="Namnun"] | Offensive Line</strong> Traditionally the top offensive lineman on a middle school team will play left or right tackle based on which arm the quarterback throws with, in order to protect his backside. However with Namnun, the big man plays center and leads the offensive line. At 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, he's the best run blocking offensive lineman in south jersey and possible the entire state for the class of 2026. He also already has developed the ability to shotgun snap which isn't common place on the pre-high school level. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-212560 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/NajeeCalhoun-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />NaJee Calhoun | Running Back</strong> Hands down the top running back in Ocean County, Calhoun could be most explosive running back in the entire Garden State. Calhoun is 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds of play making ability. He has all the physical intangibles coaches could want in an 8^th grade running back from speed and balance, to vision and strength—he is complete. While he certainly has no problem running between the tackles, if Calhoun gets a step to the outside, there's not many kids that will catch him. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215135 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/KaronAli2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="211802" first="Karon" last="Ali"] | Running Back</strong> The younger brother of four-star and 16^th ranked safety in the class of 2023 Khalil Ali, [player_tooltip player_id="211802" first="Karon" last="Ali"] has the potential to be even better when all is said and done. Karon is a stud out of the backfield for Pennsauken who can make people miss in a phone booth. Also a standout track star for Camden Track Club, last year as a 7^th grader, ran an 11.86 in the hundred meter dash. Whether asked to run, or catch out of the backfield, Ali can do it all on the offensive side of the ball. Clearly the speed is there, but what separates him from other top backs is his lower body strength and explosion. If he continues to progress, he should be a double digit offer kid. <img class="alignleft wp-image-215138 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/AmariSabb2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="212380" first="Amari" last="Sabb"] | Running Back</strong> While we're on younger brothers, Amari is the 8^th grade younger brother of Clemson commit Keon Sabb.  While older brother Keon, now at IMG Academy, is a top 100 player in the class of 2022, Amari is tearing it up in the south jersey youth football scene. Watching his film, the only words that come to mind are “smooth” and “electric”. He simply plays at a different speed than the other athletes on the field. While he currently doesn't have the height and length of his 6-foot-2 brother, Amari will surely grow to get there and it's hard to describe the type of magic he creates when toting the rock. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-215139 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/AusarHeard2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212382" first="Ausar" last="Heard"] | Athlete</strong> The final installment of the younger brother trilogy, [player_tooltip player_id="212382" first="Ausar" last="Heard"] is the 8^th grade brother of the currently ranked number 28 linebacker in the nation for the class of 2023, James Heard. While James has transferred from Vorhees (NJ) to St. Joe's Prep (Philadelphia), Ausar is making life miserable for his opponents in New Jersey. He's an absolute physical specimen who trains day in and day out, on a level unmatched by other 2026's in the state. He can play receiver, running back, defensive back and/or linebacker and almost always is the most dominant athlete on the field. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-215141 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/LouieAmiano-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="388164" first="Louie" last="Amiano"] | Linebacker</strong> Another young man from the Pennsauken Jr. Indians, Amiano lines up alongside Ali every week and are the core of a very talented 8^th grade group. Standing 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds, he's a stout, physical linebacker who uses his strength and nearly 400-pound squat to his advantage. While fast and athletic enough to play outside linebacker, he hits bumps like a middle linebacker. Was tested this past spring at an NUC Combine and ran a sub 5.0 forty-yard dash and recorded one of the better times in the shuttle. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-215143 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/WilliamCrisdon2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212406" first="William" last="Crisdon"] | Defensive Line</strong> A very strong, compact interior defensive lineman at 6-foot and 296 pounds, Crisdon has the ability to be unblockable. He keeps a low center of gravity and fires out of his stance extremely quickly. Combining his strength and explosion, he almost always makes contact with the offensive lineman first and dictates where he's going to--and it's usually in the backfield. Look for Crisdon to be a household name around the state when he gets into high school next year. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-215144 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/RyanSarkar2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212400" first="Ryan" last="Sarkar"] | Athlete</strong> The son of the head coach of one of the most talented youth programs in the state of New Jersey, the Bergen Stars, Sarkar is just one of the many weapons on the team. He lines up in the backfield on most plays but is moved around to create mismatches for the offense. He plays with good speed, and under control at all times. Physically he's jacked up and looks every bit the part of a kid who will be a big name in tri-state area football for the next few years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="212403" first="Tahj" last="Smith"] | Defensive Line</strong> Already owning a frame that high school coaches love to see at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Smith is a kid that could potentially be a national recruit when it's all said and done. Adding weight and muscle mass to his frame will make him a tough blocking assignment for most offensive linemen. He already uses his length to his advantage with some advance pass-rushing technique. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="212396" first="Mekhi" last="Armour"] | Defensive Back</strong> Armour is a prospect with a very high ceiling, given his 5-foot-11, 170-pound build and only playing 13U football. A big, physical corner who plays with the combination of ball hawk instincts like a defensive back and the ability to come up and hit like a linebacker. With the recent trend and popularity of “big corners” he certainly fits the mold.