New Jersey’s Top 2025 Big Men Entering The Offseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season wraps up, we're scouring the recruiting trail looking for talented prospects from around the state of New Jersey. Today, we're analyzing the state's top sophomore big men as we head into the 2023 off-season. This is a group that excelled on film, and have some pretty in-depth offer lists. Each prospect was a standout at the varsity level this fall and were key players for their respective programs. With two more varsity seasons left they're only going to get bigger, faster, and stronger, so watch out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you have any prospects you'd like for me to watch, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!</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>OL:</em></strong> <em><strong>Danny McClees, 6'5" 280, Irvington</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quite flexible, can bend &amp; at the knees and ankles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Double teams stay tight and displace first-level defenders. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows adequate lateral movement skills in pass protection. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can win with raw strength when the time calls for it.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='343145' first='Delaney' last='Fludd'], 6'3" 285, Saint Joseph</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fights to get lockout on interior offensive linemen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can get skinny through tight double teams.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is extremely powerful at the point of attack.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a firm base that allows him to anchor down when need be.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='1227917' first='Marco' last='De Croce'], 6'3" 240, Northern Valley Regional</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows no issues working up to the second level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Slender right now, but has a projectable frame that he should be able to grow into over the next two seasons.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has the feet of a ballerina. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stays vertical in his man set, patiently waiting for the defender to tip his cards.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: Kole Briehler, 6'3" 260, Hun School</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has an explosive first step.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His hands consistently create knockback in the run game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Impressive production for an interior defensive lineman, finishing with 7 sacks and 19 tackles for loss this fall.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His strength, motor, and quickness make him a no-brainer Power-Five defensive line prospect.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: Jaelyne Matthews, 6'7" 300, Toms River North</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays with a sense of anger.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>At 6'7" he can bend like a skill player.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A high-effort blocker who will literally chase defenders downfield to help secure late running lanes.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has excelled at both tackles spots, something much easier said than done.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: Ben Shue, 6'2" 260, Bergen Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Time and time again moved down linemen against their will.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a great mixture of on-field attitude and effort.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is a national freshmen record holder in the discus.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays with a heavy inside hand to avoid block sheds.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='344222' first='Jancarlos' last='Mena'], 6'3" 290, Woodbridge</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Size overwhelms defenders on down blocks.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has some pop behind his punch.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Easily singes on the backside of gap scheme runs.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Knees are constantly churning as a run blocker.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->