PRZ Next Northeast Showcase: DB All-Showcase Second 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 Second Team.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_341821" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-341821 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/929D7863-373E-4102-A672-23A55C5B6195-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="209185" first="Marquez" last="Wimberly"] | 2026 | Pennsylvania </strong></p> <p>The speedsters speed is legit as he clocked 4.37 in the 40 (hand time) at PRZ NEXT Northeast in New Jersey. A bit raw in technique but there’s not a WR who can outrun him on a 9 route. Closing speed is elite for a 2026 and should only get faster as he gets bigger and strong over the course of his high school career. Split time on both sides of the ball during 1v1s and was twitchy on both sides. Can play press, of off man and plays with an arrogance knowing he’s never actually beat as he has the make up speed to track down any receiver or over thrown ball. Stance can be improved as he has a slight hunch in his back when in coverage but its typical with DBs as most DBs are sprinters and sprinters have very tight hamstrings due to powerful force outputs by their leg cycle. Had epic battles with [player_tooltip player_id="212382" first="Ausar" last="Heard"] (2027-WR/DB) and Anthony Walker (2026-RB) during Best of the Best 1v1s at the end of camp. I expect Wimberly to pick up an early offer by the end of the calendar year. </p> [caption id="attachment_348231" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-348231 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Kyle-Wise-2027-NJ-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Kyle Wise | 2027 | New Jersey</strong></p> <p>When you first see the 2027 New Jersey athlete he looks like a killer Linebacker with a huge muscular lower body, but once DB drills commenced you seen the agility, quickness and speed. Could probably end up and OLB/Hyrbrid by the time he’s a high school junior, and that will make him even more athletic because has the saying goes in football "every time you drop down a level with your position, you become even more athletic."  And that’s the case I’ll make for Wise as he showed good coverage skill playing off or press. He excelled in playing press with his ability to strike and and control the WR at the line of scrimmage during 1v1s. Simply put Kyle Wise is a name college coaches in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest better become familiar with. </p> <p><strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-342095 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/user-uploads/IMG_5581-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="211972" first="Travis" last="Tolbert Jr."] | 2027 | New York</strong></p> <p>The 2027 rising New York prospect hasn’t hit a growth spurt yet, but intangibles and technique are there while only 5’3.5" but a solid 125lbs, Tolbert Jr. showed confidence and lined up with bigger WRs most of the day. Feet go dead at times in press man when he stabs but is quick enough (4.6 shuttle) and (5.19 Forty) to regain phase with WRs. Gave up some completions in 1v1s but was always in good coverage. Played a variety of techniques showing good understanding of the alignment and leverage. Like all young DBs eyes can sometimes stay on QB too long after breaking and finding WR. Looked fluid in his back pedal and smooth in transitions, nice low stance and was good in all DB individual drills. If he shows a significant growth spurts by next year could be an early offer guy and is expected to play JV this fall and Varsity in 9th grade at Geneva High School, Geneva, NY.  And Once he hits a growth spurt expect Tolbert Jr. to be a top New York recruit in the 2027 class if he continue to trend upwards. </p> <p><strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-345445 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/AsurHeardPRZ-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212382" first="Ausar" last="Heard"] | 2027 | New Jersey</strong></p> <p>Yes [player_tooltip player_id="212382" first="Ausar" last="Heard"] shows up again on a PRZ NEXT Northeast All-Showcase team but this time as a DB. Heard is a baller and one who could legit end up on either side of the ball in his career moving forward. West Virginia University offer in tow already Heard had a bullseye on his back and no matter if he was lined up at WR every DB wanted a turn, and when he was lined up playing 5x2 or press man. All the WRs and RBs were trying to get a rep against him. Needless to say while he lost some battles at DB Heard also showed good ball skills and closing speed and broke up several passes on the afternoon. In press Heard used his 6’0" 173lb frame to overpower smaller WRs and to get a nice jam on WRs of similar size. Footwork in transition was very good but did show some hip stiffness but more flexibility and mobility training will correct that, plus he’s only a 2027 like most on this DB All-Showcase team. Expect Ausar to rack up even more offers over the next year. </p> [caption id="attachment_348230" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-348230 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Xavier-Thomas-Mass-2028-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Xavier Thomas | 2028 | Massachusetts</strong></p> <p>Made the trip down to New Jersey from Springfield, Massachusetts. And while he’s still two years away from officially being on college coaches radar, Xavier isn’t your typical 2028 prospect. Standing 5’5" and weighing 135lbs with 5.19 Forty speed and 4.60 in the shuttle, Thomas has the attributes you look for in an young up and coming middle school defensive back. Looked solid in DB drills and in 1v1s. Still raw technically but physically has the length that indicates he’ll be 6’1" + leaving out of high school. For his class (2028) was the best defensive back and one of the better ones overall hence his place here on the All-Showcase team. Thomas continues to show that the Northeast is full of talented young football players in the classes of 2026-2028. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- /wp:paragraph -->