2023 Class Prospect Breakdown

The 2023 class has many unique prospects that have a wide array of skill sets. Some of the evaluations of these prospects were tougher than other players, we aimed to try to predict what positions they’ll fit best in and how their games will project to higher levels of football. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="321795" first="Najee" last="Lovejoy"], WR/CB, St.Thomas Aquinas</strong> This was a very tough evaluation in that Lovejoy is good at two positions but one must ask how transferrable his game is. At the wide receiver position, he is a player that embraces physicality. At 6’0 175 he excels at forcing missed tackles after the catch. He most times is a lot bigger than the competition that he goes against. While you can get away with winning this way in high school. As he matriculates to higher levels of football, he will need to employ more strategies to win. There isn’t really much tape of him winning against one on one coverage, utilizing his route running, or other technical wide receiver traits. He does move well getting open during scramble drills, but how can you rely on that at the next level? What does work well for him, is how he plays defense. He is a physical cornerback and is a more than willing participant in the run game. He excels at one on one tackling and making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. He covers best in short areas and has solid arm length where he can affect the catch point and beat up WRs at the line of scrimmage. Lovejoy skills would be best utilized as a box safety. Where he can cover some tight ends who line up as big Y’s in 3x1 or 5 wide formations. Lovejoy would be impactful making plays in run fits. He has the frame and size to add more weight to handle shedding blocks to make plays. Also, has the instincts and quickness to make plays on the edge. It will be a treat to see how Lovejoy is utilized in his senior season. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="tl">[player_tooltip player_id="321795" first="Najee" last="Lovejoy"] 6’0 175 ATH/WR/DB St. Thomas Aquinas NJ 3.2 gpa<a href="https://t.co/tZml5INnx5">https://t.co/tZml5INnx5</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="321795" first="Najee" last="Lovejoy"]4️⃣🦍 (@NajeeLovejoy4) <a href="https://twitter.com/NajeeLovejoy4/status/1479283035837194250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="321796" first="Khalil" last="Forbes"], WR, Lincoln</strong> Many of the writers here a PrepRedzone New Jersey have been passengers on the [player_tooltip player_id="321796" first="Khalil" last="Forbes"] train. At 6’0 160, he has freakish athletic gifts and is one of the most athletically gifted wide receivers in a stacked  2023 class. He has a tall lanky build with long limbs and long arms. He is a refreshing hands catcher with a  massive catch radius and solid body control. Shows the ability to adjust and contort his body to make catches on off-target and off-frame throws. Also has great leaping ability to make catches above the rim. He consistently puts his athletic gifts on display with his great movement ability. He has great short-area quickness and deep speed to win after the catch and at the line of scrimmage. At the line of scrimmage, has the speed to race past most defensive backs. He has solid footspeed and can stack defensive backs on deep routes creating insane levels of separation. Has good ball skills, when tracking the ball deep to make catches. In addition, he is truly special after the catch. He has the short-area quickness and lateral agility to stop on a dime to make defenders miss in the open field and force many missed tackles. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">fresh start next year ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/TYiLaND11V">pic.twitter.com/TYiLaND11V</a></p> — Khalil (Paco) Forbes (@forbes_khalil) <a href="https://twitter.com/forbes_khalil/status/1489698043003817986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">offseason workout with <a href="https://twitter.com/Ronaldb_18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ronaldb_18</a> <a href="https://t.co/0YKj5d071l">pic.twitter.com/0YKj5d071l</a></p> — Khalil (Paco) Forbes (@forbes_khalil) <a href="https://twitter.com/forbes_khalil/status/1454835956444508162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> While there’s an awful lot to like about Forbes’ game there are some question marks. At 160lbs he has to get bigger to be able to handle the physicality that comes with lining up against  better competition at the defensive back position and handling press coverage, which is not a question that we can answer from his tape. In addition, for as much as were praising his movement ability that same movement ability is not seen in and out of his routes. There are many flashes that he can put it together but it’s not consistent. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id="321796" first="Khalil" last="Forbes"]’s season was cut short due to a hand injury, and we need to see how he’ll bounce back with so much time off the football field. Forbes has shown flashes that when healthy he has the talent and ability to not only be one of the best wide receivers in his class but in the entire state. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/Vh0mUtTfLE">https://t.co/Vh0mUtTfLE</a></p> — Khalil (Paco) Forbes (@forbes_khalil) <a href="https://twitter.com/forbes_khalil/status/1444868848147107841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="321804" first="Nevin" last="Davila"], OL, Ewing </strong> Coaches love when OL finishes blocks aggressively [player_tooltip player_id="321804" first="Nevin" last="Davila"] does that on almost every play. Standing at 6’1 275 with a 6’5 wingspan Davila is a solid blocker in both aspects. In the run game gets off the ball quickly. Blocks with power shows the ability to displace defensive lineman at the point of attack. Utilizing his pad level, lower body strength, and hand placement to win. Is adept at blocking on the second level. Able to locate linebackers effectively and block in space. Has solid footspeed when blocking on the move, able to get out and block on screens.  Show above-average athleticism for the position. As a pass protector plays with solid leverage. Moves his feet effectively, and has solid lateral quickness. Has inconsistent hand placement at times but plays with so much tenacity and power that he is able to win against 90% of the completion he goes against. Shows great communication when handling stunts and blitzes, and shows the ability to handle more than one blocker in these situations. [player_tooltip player_id="321804" first="Nevin" last="Davila"] is a solid offensive lineman and should be headed for a breakout senior year. &nbsp; <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you to everyone who’s supported me to this point…Full Junior Year Tape out now ‼️ @Ewing_Football <a href="https://twitter.com/DanCzepiga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanCzepiga</a> <a href="https://t.co/khUgCEmTj5">https://t.co/khUgCEmTj5</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="321804" first="Nevin" last="Davila"] ‘23 OL (@Neviin5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Neviin5/status/1459208527675801604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Some clips from 1 on 1s today at Camp! Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDiCenzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDiCenzo</a> for having me and Thank you to all the coaches who talked to me today! <a href="https://t.co/B5SXB8aPHy">pic.twitter.com/B5SXB8aPHy</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="321804" first="Nevin" last="Davila"] ‘23 OL (@Neviin5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Neviin5/status/1513293039095136262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here are some reps from today’s camp. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTaylor_OL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTaylor_OL</a> for giving me the opportunity to come out and compete today!! <a href="https://t.co/r4UjuUSVB9">pic.twitter.com/r4UjuUSVB9</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="321804" first="Nevin" last="Davila"] ‘23 OL (@Neviin5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Neviin5/status/1396551501871566857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>