GameChangers Showcase: Standout QB’s and Linemen

The 7th annual GameChangers event took place this past weekend inside the practice bubble at Rutgers University. Nearly 100 middle school prospects (and a few younger ones) took part in the event. Many of New Jersey's top private high schools were in attendance checking out the future crop of athletes. Several Rutgers coaches were also in attendance and spoke to the young athletes about what it takes to play at the next level. Below, we'll take a look at the Quarterbacks and Linemen that stood out above the rest. <img class="alignleft wp-image-319841 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/KahdenDavisGC-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205460" first="Kahden" last="Davis"] | Quarterback | 2027</strong> Davis has been hitting the camp and combine scene hard thus far this off-season and he had another promising showing this weekend. He's a bigger, thicker quarterback who has some considerable power in his arm. GameChangers featured some of the most talented Defensive Backs I've seen in a camp setting in a while, so he was tested often. That said, he performed well. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319842 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/JosiahZayas-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Josiah Zayas | Quarterback | 2027</strong> Zayas appeared to be the most natural quarterback of the athletes in attendance. The 5-foot-10, 148-pound signal caller threw some beautiful deep passes, while making it look relatively easy with just a flick of the wrist. Zayas, a native of Piscataway, only had to travel about 10 minutes to get the facility for camp. Keep an eye out for him, with his last season of youth ball coming up. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319844 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/DanielLewis-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Daniel Lewis | Quarterback | 2027</strong> Lewis was a familiar name and face around the Rutgers facility, as his older brother Jonathan played for the Scarlet Knights and graduated before transferring to South Dakota to finish out his career. Daniel was another quarterback who simply made it look easy all day. He didn't have the size of Zayas or Davis, but that shouldn't be a problem as he develops, considering his older brother is 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319845 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/MarlenBright-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Marlen Bright | Offensive Line | 2026</strong> The first prospect that caught my eye at the event was Bright with his 6-foot-5 and 225-pound frame. He is off to DePaul Catholic next year and coaches there are getting a kid that is mature beyond his years in nearly every aspect. He carries himself professionally and has the skill to back it up. Blessed with genetics too. Dad played basketball at Bucknell and brother currently plays DE for the Bison. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319846 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/JamesMackenzie-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>James Mackenzie | Offensive Line | 2026</strong> Another prospect headed to DePaul Catholic in the fall, Mackenzie had a workman's day at the showcase. He didn't do anything too flashy but consistently worked hard. The New York-native showed good feet and considerable strength at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds. I enjoyed watching his versatility and think he could be a very good guard. Him and Bright together for the next four years could be scary. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319847 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/DerionJohnson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Derion Johnson | Defensive Line | 2026</strong> Johnson made the trip from Harlem, New York down to Rutgers for the camp and didn't disappoint. He was, without question, the most disruptive Defensive Lineman at the showcase. He'll be at Paramus Catholic next year and has a ton of potential. I liked this motor and quickness. Could see him playing inside or on the edge, depending on defensive scheme. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319848 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/MarkRajgopaul-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Mark Rajgopaul | Offensive Line | 2027</strong> Just a seventh-grader, Rajgopaul had a nice day. While the three lineman above were clearly the top three, Rajgopaul showed a lot of promise. The East Orange native has encouraging size and quickness for being so young. He has long arms and looks like he could be a very good offensive tackle if he continues to progress. It will be good to see how he develops over the next year. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-319850 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/BillyGameChanger-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Aidan Vernon | Offensive Line | 2028</strong> Admittedly didn't see as many reps of Vernon as the other prospects listed above. However, in the reps I did see, it wasn't even a fair fight for the other kids. Vernon is a big kid for just being in the sixth grade--every bit of 5-foot-10 and 235 pounds or more. Like most athletes at his age, there is a lot of development to come. That said, his size is such a factor and advantage at this point, he was a no-brainer standout.