PRZ Next Northeast Showcase: D-Line All-Showcase First Team

The Prep Redzone Next Northeast showcase popped off this past weekend, with athletes from 10 different states taking part. Athletes from as far away as Texas traveled to compete with, and against, many of the top 2026-2028 prospects in the region. Here’s a look at the Defensive Linemen who were named to the All-Showcase First Team. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341391 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/TahjSmith-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212403" first="Tahj" last="Smith"] | 2026 | New Jersey</strong> From start to finish, Smith was a standout as an Edge rusher. The future DePaul Catholic prospect measured in at 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, sporting a very impressive frame. The scariest thing about Smith is that he’s nowhere near done growing, as his father is a very tall guy. Currently Smith’s arms hang down passed his knees when standing up straight, giving him a huge advantage with his length. Also possessed a much stronger lower body than I thought and had a broad jump over nine feet. He’s going to be one of the top pass rushers in the state over the next four years. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341390 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/PrestonCareyPRZNext-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Preston Carey | 2026 | New York</strong> If there were an overall MVP of the showcase, it would have to be Carey. From the opening whistle the 6-foot-5, 260-pound specimen was unblockable. He has the length and agility to play Defensive End and Edge but also the power and size to play inside if asked to. He has an arsenal of pass rush moves that most high schoolers don’t have yet and he’s not even in high school yet. Also a very mature and intelligent kid who I noticed asking the coaching staff great questions about what it took to get to the next level. He is going to be a very highly recruited player, that I would be offering a scholarship to right now. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341395 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/AlexHaskellPRZNext-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="284056" first="Alex" last="Haskell"] | 2026 | New Jersey</strong> A prospect with a ton of potential and a very high ceiling, the country needs to start getting very familiar with Haskell. He measured in at a hair under 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds at the Showcase and showed a ton of versatility. Coming into the day I thought of him as an Offensive Tackle due to his size and length, but he showed a ton of ability playing both interior Defensive Tackle and Defensive End. Showed great strength and explosion off the ball, with encouraging foot speed. His functional strength and overall body composition is impressive for only being in the eighth grade. Once he masters his craft, he’s a P5 guy. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341552 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/BrandonSimmonsprznEXT-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brandon Simmons | 2026 | New Jersey</strong> Simmons literally just followed me on Twitter about a week ago, and I was immediately impressed with what I saw. Then he followed it up with an absolutely outstanding performance the PRZ Next Northeast showcase. At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, he has the quickness of a scat back with the size of a Defensive Lineman. One could argue, that Simmons had the most impressive day of the group, behind Carey. He carries the 240 pounds very well, with no real sloppy weight. Played his youth ball for Glassboro and was the Defensive MVP of a team who finished this past season undefeated. He’ll be getting attention early. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341384 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/JayzonNitzPRZnext-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="216110" first="Jayson" last="Nitz"] | 2027 | New Jersey</strong> I saw Nitz six or seven weeks ago at the South Jersey showcase and I could see he was a good football player. What I saw on Saturday, had me leaving thinking Nitz could be an elite football player. The only seventh-grader (class of 2027) to make the First Team All-Showcase for the Defensive Linemen, he is lightning quick off the ball. Honestly, with his athleticism, I think he could easily play Outside Linebacker if he needed to. His speed rush is something to marvel at and he should be one of the best 4-3 Defensive End’s in the state if he continues to ascend. Measured in at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341397 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/GregThomasPRZNext-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212415" first="Greg" last="Thomas"] | 2026 | Pennsylvania</strong> Thomas has come a very long way and is continuing to improve every time we see him. The big man measured in a 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds at the showcase. He took reps at both Offensive Line and Defensive Line and showed some glimpses of excellence at both. After watching him closely, I can see him easily playing both positions in high school, but his future should be as a Defensive Tackle. He’s an absolute load once he gets moving forward. Right now he’s playing everywhere on both lines--which is totally acceptable for a prospect of his caliber, at this level. However, if he can play under control a bit more and harness all his natural ability and size, he’ll be a difference maker an interior Defensive Linemen.