Ten (More) 2026 Prospects Holdin' it Down in New Jersey

Earlier in October we took a look at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/10/ten-8th-graders-2026-to-know-in-the-garden-state/">Ten 8th Graders (class of 2026) to know in The Garden State</a>--and we're back to do it again. New Jersey is widely thought of to be in that second tier of "football states" behind the likes of Florida, Georgia, Texas and California. With that said, there is absolutely no shortage of talented ballers throughout the state. While these kids might not be playing year round like some of the other states allow, these ten kids are putting in work and should be household names on the next level if they continue to develop. Let's take a look. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223532 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/ColtonBienko-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Colton Bienko | Athlete Bienko is a promising athlete with a high ceiling at this point. The son of a former division one tight end, if this 6-foot-1, 170-pounder adds weight to his frame he could be the next dominant tight end in the state. If he continues to stay on the leaner side, look for him to make plays at both receiver and safety during his high school years. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223537 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/DonovanLinthicum-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212386" first="Donovan" last="Linthicum"] | Linebacker Linthicum is a heat-seeking missile at the middle linebacker position for the Pennsauken Junior Indians. At a hair under 6-foot and a few slices of pizza under 200-pounds, he is an absolute menace in the run game and blows running plays up all game. Also has smarts and understanding of situations in-game. Has no problem filling gaps, if that's his job. An unselfish player who goes out there to hit people and win football games by any means necessary. <img class="alignleft wp-image-212159 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/JohnHarris2026-crop-400x263-1633451808-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212390" first="John" last="Harris"] | Offensive Line First saw him at the Jersey Shore AYF All-Star tryouts in early September and he instantly caught my eye. He has great size at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds and loves to finish blocks—specially on run plays. Thick in all the right areas for an offensive lineman, once he starts hitting the weight room in high school he has the potential to play at a high collegiate level if he continues to progress as an interior lineman. <img class="alignleft wp-image-212562 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JonahGlenn-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212391" first="Jonah" last="Glenn"] | Athlete Glenn is another athlete I first saw at the Jersey Shore AYF tryouts this past September and wow'd me instantly. I'm listing him as an athlete because he has tremendous hands and could be used in the slot or split out wide, if need be; however, ultimately I see him being a running back at the high school level. A fast, physical kid who plays hard every play and doesn't say too much when strapped up, but he brings it on every touch. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223541 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/SemajBeals-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Semaj Beals | Quarterback Without question the top South Jersey quarterback in the class of 2026, that I've come across. The 6-footer has extremely smooth mechanics and he throws a beautiful ball deep ball. Beals' name is being talked about in many of both New Jersey and Pennsylvania's top private high schools and he should have his pick when it's time to make a decision. Spinning the rock currently for Glassboro, he's teamed up current-PRZ Next Watch List'er [player_tooltip player_id="212380" first="Amari" last="Sabb"]. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223542 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JordanThomas2026NJ-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jordan Thomas | Wide Receiver Good looking receiver prospect on the Brick City Lions, one of the top youth programs in the state of New Jersey. Has grown considerably over the last few months and stands around 6-foot-1. Big target at 6-foot-1 and is very smooth in and out of breaks. Not a situational type of wide out, he can be left in the game no matter what the play dictates. Should be headed to one of the top private schools in the state next year when the dust settles. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223543 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/ZaidenHughes-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Zaiden Hughes | Linebacker Wrestled with the thought of calling him an athlete because of his size and speed, but the 5-foot-10, 180-pounder looks like he'll be calling linebacker home at the next level. He's rocked up for an athlete on the youth level and loves to play physically. He takes on blocks with relative ease and still makes plays from sideline to sideline. He loves to lay the wood and is one of the most sure-tacklers in the state. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223544 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JohnLanari-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />John Lanari | Edge Lanari is another kid with an amazing upside. Headed off to Saint Joe's Regional next year, one of the top private schools in the state, he will face stiff competition day in and day. Lanari has a motor that can't be taught at the defensive end position. Also a wrestler and baseball player, he's an athlete who consistently puts himself in the right position to make a play. Haven't seen any clips of him going up against any offensive linemen with serious size, so I'm interested to see how he'll do with that. However, at 6-foot and 170 pounds, he's too fast and physical for most middle school offensive linemen. <img class="alignleft wp-image-223546 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/EliasBeasley-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Elias Beasley | Defensive Line Anytime you're 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds in the 8th grade, you should be a bad man on the defensive front—and that's what Beasley is. He's borderline unblockable and is the big man upfront for the uber-athletic Brick City Lions. A native of Bloomfield, New Jersey, it's not even worth trying to run at him because he will swallow up any plays coming near him. Beasley has ever-improving feet and should end up at one of the top private schools in the state for high school. [player_tooltip player_id="212395" first="Matt" last="Occhipinti"] | Linebacker/Tight End Occhipinti is a big, physical kid who is simply stronger than most other New Jersey prospects in the 8th grade. Suiting up for the Bergen County Stars, he looks like he could play varsity football right now with his build. On offense, he's too big and strong to press at the line for most linebackers and defensive backs. On defense, he needs to play a little more under control but he flies around the field to make plays. Anybody who knows football knows that wrestlers often make the best tacklers on the field, and that's another area where Occhipinti excels.