Sophomore Bigs from the Big Central Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big men are the unheralded heroes of football. Nobody, on either side of the ball, goes anywhere without them. Having sophomore linemen with significant early playing time not only controls the game, but it bodes well for a program's future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we will take a closer look at some of the sophomore big boys from New Jersey's Big Central Conference. With a high standard of strong play already exhibited, we expect this class of linemen to only get better as juniors during the 2023 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kevin Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Linden","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"First up is Linden HS's Kevin Taylor. A contributor at both DE and OL, Taylor did a great job this last season for the Tigers. Defensively he was credited with 36 tackles including 7 for loss, 4 sacks, 9 QB hurries, and forced a fumble. Offensively he was a road grader at right tackle all season long.rnrnWhat pops off on the film about Taylor as a DE is that he is highly active. He has strong block recognition, which enables him to stay in position as he fights reach blocks and pressure. When unblocked he squeezes down the line effectively while he looks for contact. His biggest intangible is his motor. He is constantly moving, slanting, and chasing - either ball carriers down field or QBs trying to escape. When he does get to the QB, he will try to punch the ball loose. Most of his pressure has come off of stunts, so it is tough to gauge his 1-on-1 pass rush moves.rnrnOffensively he profiles as more of an athletic-type tackle rather than a mauler, as it appears he is asked to move laterally pretty often. He keeps his feet buzzing, working to seal angles and win his angle on blockers. Because he moves his feet and keeps coming at you, he gets several pancake blocks in the process. One thing he can improve on is his bend, and thus his pad level.rnrnTaylor is a very good high school talent. If he puts in a strong offseason, his stock will only rise.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JkWvQu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c50321b1de8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1021610' first='Donea' last='Fish']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rahway","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Fish often don't swim alone. [player_tooltip player_id='1021610' first='Donea' last='Fish'] is no different, as he and his brother Brian, were both contributors for the Rahway Indians this last season. Serving mainly as an interior lineman, the younger Fish concluded the season sixth on the team with 43 tackles and 4 QB hurries. He also served as a rotating FB, accumulating 12 yards and 2 pancakes.rnrnFish gets his hands on the man in front of him nearly every play and continues to buzz his feet in the process. This makes him a difficult individual to move backwards. He effectively peeks into the backfield to determine where the ball is.rnrnThere are two main areas for Fish to continue to grow: strain u0026amp; separating and playing half-man technique. Separation is a d-lineman's best friend. Once his upper body gets stronger he should be able to completely lock out his arms when playing DL. He does have a tendency to play full-man, not half-man, which forces him to pick a side and u0022peeku0022 in the hole. Playing half-man will allow him to control his gap and see in it the entire time, while being able to make a move to his adjacent gap for bounces and cutbacks.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jrqtdu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c50321b1e99"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Elijah Thomas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Thomas Aquinas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"On film Elijah Thomas immediately pops off the screen due to his massive size (listed at 6'3u0022, 290lbs). Already physically a man-amongst-boys, from his RT position Thomas already plays like it too.rnrnThomas possesses a very strong upper body, evidenced by how he is able to fling and drive smaller defenders to the ground. Once he arrives at his assignment, he sticks to them and stalks them around the field. He has a bit of a nasty streak in him and loves to finish every block he makes - throwing the defender to the ground as his body follows for good measure.rnrnLooking to Junior year, Thomas' play will grow leaps and bounds if he can improve his feet. His first two steps off the ball can be slow at times. He also has an inconsistent base, which also makes him play a bit high.rnrnWith an ideal body for a linemen, a full offseason with the new coaching staff will lead to exponential growth for this big man.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jpptyu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c50321b1f34"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jacob Bess","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Carteret","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing the nose in an odd defensive front is neither glorified nor pretty - but it is gritty and necessary. Being an active nose tackle in an odd front causes nightmares for the opposing offense. That is exactly what Jacob Bess does best.rnrnBlessed with great size for the position (6'3u0022, 225lbs), Bess was a disruptive force on Carteret's defense en route to 40 tackles, 12 TFL, 1 sack and 1 FR in u003cemu003ejust 8 games u003c/emu003e(his team played 11). He also contributed on the offensive line too.rnrnBess gets it done in a variety of ways. First thing I noticed was his get off the ball. He is moving almost as the center does. He then has shown the ability to play with arm extension when pass rushing. This does not allow the offensive player to get to his chest and control his body. As a nose in an odd front, he is often asked to slant, which he does full speed and violently. Once he rips into his gap, he then effectively pursues the play.rnrnAreas to work on are his pad level and strength. Too often I noticed Bess' helmet higher than that of the offensive players'. This allows the OL to get under him and move him off of his spot. He also can improve his play when taking on double teams as he is prone to get moved off his spot.rnrnNeedless to say, Bess' best is yet to come.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JmkRuu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c50321b1fd6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1029740' first='Dason' last='Boateng']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Brunswick","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1029740' first='Dason' last='Boateng'] just completed a strong sophomore season for the Vikings. He beat out veteran starters for his guard spot along the offensive line. He also was a contributor defensively as well, where he accumulated 24 tackles and 3 sacks - including a season high 6 tackles in the season finale vs. Egg Harbor Township.rnrnGiven his size, listed at 5'10u0022 and 200lbs, it is no surprise that he is set to be a fixture along South Brunswick's offensive line for the next few years. With the prototypical build for a high school guard, Boateng has the size and frame to continue to gain healthy weight and continue to be a force. At his guard spot he is required to pull and move laterally, which will need to be a big part of his game moving forwardrnrnHow much further will Boateng improve? I can tell you this much - as he and his fellow sophomore class improves, South Brunswick will continue to do so as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c50321b1d1c"} /-->