2026 Big Men to Know Around New Jersey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Jersey is home to some of the nation's top prospects year after year, and their 2026 class is no different. Today, we're taking a look at the state's top freshmen on the offensive and defensive line. These guys have flashed on tape early in their careers, some at the varsity level and others at the lower levels of football. With three more years of high school ball left, keep an eye on how they develop as a prospect. With that being said, here's who you need to know!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL:</em></strong> <strong><em>Brandon Simmons, 6'2" 240, Glassboro</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lightning quick off the snap.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Twitched up and ready to roll.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows forceful hands and a solid base.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A ton of production as an interior pass rusher.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='212390' first='John' last='Harris'], 6'3" 295, Hun</strong></em> <strong><em>School </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a Power-Five frame and build to him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dominates at the point of attack against man blocks. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays with good leverage, despite being a taller interior prospect.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can provide a ton of value as an inside run-stopper.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='284066' first='Kai' last='Pritchard'], 6'4" 240, Donovan Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a frame he can easily add another sixty pounds to.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Legs keep churning once initial contact has been made in the run game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Moves extremely well for a big man.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows adequate body control for second-level blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='402212' first='Hudson' last='Brennan'], 6'4" 285, Bergen Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Created a plethora of knockdowns in 2022.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dominated at the lower levels with size and strength.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Once he gets his feet going, he doesn't stop till the whistle is blown.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Finishes his blocks violently.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: Ed Ruffin, 6'1" 220, Burlington Township</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quite slippery, rushing off the edge.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Burst and bend are a lethal combination.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a fiery first step.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Effort is off the charts, and he will often make plays on the backside of runs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='1550963' first='Jake' last='Johnson'], 6'2" 205, New Milford</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Undersized right now but holds his own in the run game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Impressive football instincts for a younger player.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a few counter moves locked and loaded when need be.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Causes serious penetration on twists and stunts.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='402229' first='Michael' last='Gildea'], 6'6" 290, Hun School</em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has the makings of a future Power-Five prospect.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can sit back and anchor down in his pass set.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Feet as a pass protector are quick &amp; compact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has shown a ton of positional growth from last year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='205506' first='Jake' last='Namnun'], 6'3" 275, Delran</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rolls his hips on contact.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Takes a ton of pride in finishing blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is an efficient puller that can thrive in a heavy gap scheme offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A bit raw but has a mean streak and plays with a ton of effort.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->