GameChangers Showcase: Wide Receiver & Defensive Back Standouts

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 most elite group of the showcase, the Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321295 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/WalcottGesira-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Walcott Gesira | Defensive Back | 2026</strong> Good looking defensive back who passed the eye test pretty quickly at the showcase. Long limbs allowed him to blanket receivers and match most of them stride for stride. Will be attending Franklin High School next year, and should have a chance to play early in his high school career. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321298 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/IsaThomas-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Isa Thomas | Defensive Back | 2027</strong> Thomas was flat out the most impressive athlete from start to finish at the showcase. A notion that was verified by him taking home the overall MVP award. Prior to the MVP award, he also won the seventh grade fastest man award and overall fastest man award. He was a thorn in the side of receivers all day long. Only knock on him is lack of height, but he made up for it with his speed and hops. He's a stud. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321305 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/KyleWise-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kyle Wise | Defensive Back | 2027</strong> When I first watched Wise, I took a look at him and thought he had to be a Running Back with a very strong, thick lower body. However, when I saw him running indy drills with the Defensive Backs, I was surprised and encouraged. He's built more like a Linebacker than anything else, but ran very well and tracked the ball well during one-on-one's. Another year to go, but he's one to get familiar with. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321306 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/RyanWooten-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ryan Wooten | Defensie Back | 2026</strong> Wooten won the eighth grade Defensive Back award at the showcase and did so in the most unassuming manner. A quiet, well-mannered prospect, he said he's down to either Seton Hall Prep or Pope John for high school. The South Plainfield native showed off some good range and versatility to play safety or corner. With a little more development--especially strength, he could be a good one. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321308 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/TymereSanders-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tymir Sanders | Defensive Back | 2028</strong> I can remember at least three different occasions when Sanders came up to me and told me to watch him. The sixth grader wasn't wrong by telling me to watch him, as he put on a show and came home with the sixth grade Defensive Back MVP. Obviously, being a 2028 prospect, the size is not there yet. However, he was in the hip pocket of Wide Receivers all day long. Gave up no room or seperation. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321309 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/ZaidenMcDonald-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Zaiden McDonald | Wide Receiver | 2026</strong> On the offensive side of the ball, McDonald was the most high school-ready athlete at the showcase. Very long and lean, with a huge catch radius. Told me his main position is Wide Receiver but does play some safety as well. A quiet kid, McDonald was named the eighth grade MVP at wide out. Not a burner yet, but has good speed and competes for the ball. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321311 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/XavierRodriguez-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Xavier Rodriguez | Wide Receiver | 2028</strong> No kid shocked me more at the showcase. When I asked Rodriguez his basic information, I was floored to hear he was only in the sixth grade. Already 5-foot-10 and 145 pounds, he plays Wide Receiver and Defensive End. In fact, Nasir Gaines, who put on the showcase, pulled me to the side and said "this kid is going to the league". From what I saw, he's certainly headed in the right direction. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321312 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/NekhiMartin-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Nekhi Martin | Wide Receiver | 2027</strong> Martin was another kid I noticed very early in the showcase--in fact, I struck up a conversation during the dynamic warm up with him. Well put together kid out of Newark, New Jersey. Wasn't the biggest, fastest or most dynamic, but he made a lot of plays. Reliable hands can help bolster a prospects looks very quickly, and he has them. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-321313 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/CadelBarilford-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Cadel Brailford | Wide Receiver | 2027</strong> Brailford was one of the smaller middle school Wide Receivers in attendance, however, he could shake with the best of them. He ran very good routes and shook Defensive Backs out of their socks on numerous reps. He gives up a lot of size, but if he gets loose, he can turn a simple out route into a touchdown within the blink of an eye.