PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase: RB All-Showcase Second Team

<p> PRZ NEXT pulled into Hillsborough 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 RBs that make up the PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase: RB All-Showcase Second Team.</p> <p><strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-351743 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/EricP-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Eric Pirrello | 2026 | New York</strong></p> <p>Pirrello was arguably the best route running back and arguably had the best hands of all the RBs as well. The 2026 New York prospect who attends New York Powerhouse Iona Prep is definitely a Big Apple in the Empire State looking into the future. May end up at the Y or Z receiver position moving forward and at the Showcase he was with the WRs and was very fluid in WR drills and a tough matchup in 1v1s for LBs and some DBs, where he lined up as a RB and WR. High points the ball with aggression and plucks it out the air, does a good job with his body lean and keeping his waist hidden from defenders to negate reading of his hips. Should be a 4 year varsity player at Iona and should pick up college interest early on in high school.</p> [caption id="attachment_349931" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-349931 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Kobe-St.-Hilaire-2027-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Kobe ST. Hilaire | 2027 | New Jersey </strong></p> <p>The 2027 New Jersey RB showcased tremendous speed and lateral quickness running a 4.97 40yd dash and a 4.40 3 cone shuttle. Was explosive and fast twitched in RB drills and showed above average hands for a young middle school RB. Showed some hip stiffness and hopefully as he continues to grow that can be corrected and I expect it to as St. Hilaire showed a very hard hat worker mentality. And already standing 5’6" 143lbs as a 7th grader, Kobe St. Hilaire is a name that will continue to grow especially a year from now heading into his high school freshman year.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_349932" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-349932 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Xavier-Bala-2027-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Xavier Bala | 2027 | New York</strong></p> <p>Size, speed, agility, and explosiveness are all there for this 7th grader out of New York. Bala measured in at 5’6" and weighing 138lbs and ran 4.97 in the 40yd dash, 4.30 in the 3 cone shuttle and 8’4" in the broad jump. Looked agile and feet moved with aggression during RB drills. Showed some catching skills and was decent in route running during 1v1s. All in all Bala is a name to watch for in the 2027 class out of New York. Nimble feet and can change direction very suddenly and quickly. Should excel moving forward as long as he does what needs to be done and should start to open more eyes on the recruiting side come next year. </p> [caption id="attachment_349933" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-349933 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Drew-Keller-2027-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Drew Keller | 2027 | Pennsylvania</strong></p> <p>The 2027 looks to be loaded here in the Northeast with players with measurables, speed, intangibles and the fact they’re getting their names out there early and Keller checks all those boxes. Already looking like a high school varsity RB at 5’10’ 181lbs with a 4.68 40yd dash, 4.40 3 cone shuttle and 8’7" broad jump. Easily got away from most of the LBs and a few DBs all camp long. Showed good hands and knowledgeable with route running to create separation at the top of his routes. Would like to see change of direction improve but should as Keller is only a 7th grader! Might grow out of the RB position come high school but has the athleticism to play a multitude of positions in the future. </p> [caption id="attachment_349934" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-349934 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Logan-Dairsow-2027-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Logan Dairsow | 2027 | New Jersey</strong></p> <p>Another 2027 RB that stood out was Logan Dairsow. At 5’6" 143lbs with 4.91 40yd speed as a 7th grader says a lot. Was a ball of power running through drills and was average with his hands just running routes but performed a bit better in 1v1s. Will have to improve his change of direction ability, but route running out the backfield and all the intangibles you like are there and Dairsow is a RB who may end up a LB recruit in the future so I’m excited to watch his continued development. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_349935" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-349935 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Tristan-TJ-Lawrence-2027-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="341857" first="Tristan" last=""TJ" Lawrence"] | 2027 | Pennsylvania</strong></p> <p>Put up solid numbers during the camp and looked very good in drills and above average in 1v1s. Lawrence is a 5’9" 178lb hard hat let’s get down to work Pennsylvania RB in the class of 2027. Ran 5.00 in the 40yd dash and 4.50 in the 3 cone shuttle and also posted a 8’7" broad jump and all of it was on display at Iron Peak. Might grow out of the RB position but for now he’s a RB and stood out at camp both physically and with his athletic ability and football skill. Will Lawrence etch his name in those Pennsylvania high school record books? Only time will tell but expect some early movement in recruiting for Lawrence a year from now. </p> [caption id="attachment_349936" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-349936 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Trejuer-Sledge-III-2028-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: PRZ NEXT Northeast Showcase 2022[/caption] <p><strong>Trejuer Sledge III | 2028 | New York</strong></p> <p>My bonus pick for second team RB is a young gun. Sledge has RB DNA in his blood, as he’s the younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id="228008" first="Tre’Juer" last="Sledge"] who’s a top 2023 RB in New York. 2028 Sledge while only 4’8" and yet to hit a growth spurt but ran an impressive 4.80 3 cone shuttle and looked smoother than most of the older RBs in drills. While his diminutive size hurt him in 1v1s when matched against some of the bigger and faster freaks in 2026 and 2027, but against 2028s Sledge ate. Will be fun to watch how much Sledge’s game and height grow come this time next year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- wp:paragraph --><!-- /wp:paragraph -->