PRZ Next Northeast Showcase: DB All-Showcase First Team

<p>This Saturday PRZ NEXT pulled into Hillsboro Township, NJ for the PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase. And while it was rainy outside, inside Iron Peak Sports and Recreation Center. There was a whole lot of buzz coming from some of the Northeast’s top middle school football players on the field turf, as they competed and tested. And there were a bunch of standouts and here we’ll dive into to the top performing DBs who make up the PRZ NEXT Northeast DB All-Showcase First Team.</p> [caption id="attachment_341815" align="alignleft" width="112"]<img class="wp-image-341815" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/AF889F74-EA62-41C4-B4B7-8B032499DD55-201x300.jpeg" alt="" width="112" height="167" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="327680" first="De’Mari" last="Clemons"]</strong> <strong>| 2026 | New York</strong></p> <p>The standout class of 2026 DB continued his assault on the camp circuit this spring after making the trip to New Jersey from Buffalo. He has been nothing short of spectacular at every event he’s attended this spring. <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Great size at 5’9” and 154 pounds with long arms and very strong looking build that allows him to bully opposing WRs at the line of scrimmage. Showed good fluidity in hips and solid footwork for a incoming high school freshman. Recovery speed, ball skills and multiple techniques to choose from on any play or 1v1 rep. Clemons looks like a future Power 5 DB for sure. Still has things to improve upon but for a 2026, he’s as solid as they come. No wonder the likes  of Akron and SU are already showing interest.</span></p> [caption id="attachment_341818" align="alignleft" width="112"]<img class="wp-image-341818" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/D6372202-8EA1-4283-A172-9CDBF9FF4CF7-203x300.jpeg" alt="" width="112" height="166" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="216150" first="Jojo" last="DeLecce"] | 2027 | New Jersey</strong></p> <p>The Jersey native looked so good and fluid during LB drills he was moved to DB for 1v1s and stood out immediately. Good size with a solid thick build and nimble feet, I can see DeLecce growing into a strong safety/hybrid LB in high schools and should be an early offer guy by next year. Showed above average ball skills with a physical presence in press man and looked comfortable in off man as well. And looked solid in coverage during 1v1s against 2027 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id="212382" first="Ausar" last="Heard"] who holds an early offer from West Virginia University. Obviously he has work to do to continue his trajectory in all facets but he should be a top 2027 Garden State recruit in the future.</p> [caption id="attachment_341822" align="alignleft" width="112"]<img class="wp-image-341822" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/AB2F13D2-F4D3-4810-BE58-67FCF2C8941D-200x300.jpeg" alt="" width="112" height="168" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Isa Thomas</strong> | <strong>2027 | New Jersey </strong></p> <p>Already passes the eye ball test for college recruiters looking for a tall, rangy and long DB and only going into the 8th grade come fall 2022. Thomas checked in at 6’3 3/4" at the PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase and his size smothered and caused problems all day long for WRs. Long arms allow Thomas to stab and inch back or kick step with his technique while maintaining very good cushion from the WR. Needs work but where he’s at right now suggests a national recruit come time for 2027s recruiting cycle blitz in a few years. Should garner a few early offers come spring 2023 camp season and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens even sooner than that. Can’t coach or teach size like Isa Thomas has, but where he ends up in high school is still kind of up in the air as he can either end up at CB, SAF, EDGE or WR in the future with the size and frame he has there’s position versatility with him. </p> <p><strong>Ahkir Morgan</strong> <strong>| 2026 | New Jersey </strong></p> <p>Was well put together from a physical standpoint with broad muscular shoulders and evenly distributed weight throughout his 5’7" 147lb frame and 4.87 40 (hand time) speed. Looked smooth in his back pedal during DB drills and 1v1s, and really drives his foot into the ground when getting in and out of breaks while mirroring receivers. Was solid in regular 1v1s and Best of the Best 1v1s. Press coverage was better than his Off coverage but uses hands well to re route receivers and looked like he’ll draw interest from colleges within the next 4-6 months. With more performances over the months of June and July Morgan could find himself with a good amount of interest before September.</p> [caption id="attachment_342082" align="alignleft" width="112"]<img class="wp-image-342082" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/IMG-5579-169x300.png" alt="" width="112" height="199" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="216727" first="Vernon" last="Deshields III"] | 2026 | Maryland </strong></p> <p> Made the trip from Maryland and and performed very well. Plays bigger than his 5’6" height would suggest and is long. Twitchy and fast with good hip flexibility that allows him to turn easily, get in phase and run with any WR out there. Had an highlight reel Interception during 1v1s where he climbed the ladder higher than the WR and plucked the ball out of the air. Has a smooth back pedal and runs the route with receivers very good for a kid entering high school, and if he had 3+ more inches would already be a early offer kid. Eye discipline is there and with time should become a lockdown corner in high school. He might start off at a public school but it won’t be long before the likes of St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD) come calling for this 2026 Maryland standout. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- /wp:paragraph -->