The Big Central Conference’s Top Returning Juniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A college recruiter I once worked with always referred to junior year as the "money year." As a recruit, junior year is where you would "earn your money" - or scholarship money. Yes, this slogan does not account for senior year breakouts; however, junior year is where recruiting boards fill up and athletes create a buzz about themselves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we will scout some of the Big Central Conference's junior year standouts from the 2022 football season.</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":"Kordal Hinton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Union","_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":"Kordal Hinton, adoringly referred to as u0022McChickenu0022 by his teammates, was far from a chicken this season u002du002d he was an absolute beast who ruled the roost for the Union Fighting Farmers defensive unit. If you love old school, thumping MLBs, you are going to be a big fan of this 200lb stud. In his first year as a starter, Hinton amassed 133 tackles, including 91 solo and 8 for a loss. This, obviously, led Union's defense; however, it was u003cemu003e72 u003c/emu003emore than the team's next leading tackler.rnrnBesides cleaning up practically everything in front of him, Hinton is a violent tackler. Ball carriers are stopped stone-cold in their tracks because his tackles are always full force. This makes him a sure tackler and mitigates against broken tackles, or even needing support taking ball carriers down. He is disciplined in taking his run step first and always seems to find a crevice to shoot through en route to a sure tackle.rnrnIn man coverage he trails is assignment well, running step-for-step with backs out the backfield and is always in position to make an immediate tackle. I would like to see more of him in his zone drops to evaluate that aspect of his game.rnrnKordal Hinton. Coming this fall to a backfield near you.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jjb8Qu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c83bce388e2"} /--> <!-- 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":"Jeremy DeCaro","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Joseph (Metuchen)","_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":"A Swiss Army Knife is a multi-faceted tool, able to effectively facilitate or accomplish many tasks. The St. Joseph Falcons of Metuchen has one of their own in athlete Jeremy DeCaro. This jack-of-all-trades amassed 1169 all purpose yards (571 rec receiving, 408 rushing) and 11 TDs, while producing 62 stops on defense with 1 TD.rnrnIn a u003cemu003every u003c/emu003eold school, wing-t type offense DeCaro is split out wide u003cemu003ein a 3-point stanceu003c/emu003e. This, however, does not stop him from having an excellent get off when running routes. Despite being only 5'10u0022 he goes up and gets the ball, tracks its flight well, and is shifty in his route running. He has a unique ability to stop-and-go at his leisure. In the open field this allows him to shake u0026amp; bake defenders; as a back he presses the hole, then can accelerate quickly for a bounce and hit top speed effortlessly when nothing is there.rnrnDeCaro gets open and finds space because of his quickness and agility; however, I feel that he lacks top-end speed. Yes, he dusts lesser opponents/athletes, but teams with comparable talent tend to close on him.rnrnNeedless to say, I am a DeCaro fan. He is a nifty player that u003cemu003eany u003c/emu003eteam would benefit from and welcome having on their roster.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JpbgEu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c8ccee20518"} /--> <!-- 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":"Max Romano","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_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":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westfield","_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":"The Westfield Blue Devils were the 2022 Big Central American Gold Division champion. On both sides of the ball their team benefited immensely from the contributions from the 6'1u0022 285lb interior linemen Max Romano.rnrnRomano is like a Mac Truck - a big load to handle. This interior linemen registered 32 tackles with 4 for a loss in only nine games this season. He also dominated on the offensive line.rnrnDefensively, Romano moves extremely well for his size. He is a violent defender who bullies guards and centers. He plays with a singular focus to wreak havoc in the backfield. He routinely bench presses linemen off of him to create separation, all while maintaining his gap integrity and control. He is also disciplined in the fact that when he is unblocked, not only does he squeeze, he gets his hands on the down blocker. This disrupts their route to a linebacker. This is a big emphasis for coaches and I can guarantee you they are thrilled that he does this.rnrnOffensively he is a thrill to watch. As a guard he pulls just like it was written in a textbook: he keeps moving his feet through contact and finishes low-to-high. This causes defenders to either get crushed or fly backwards. He also runs very well when asked to get to the perimeter on screens-type plays. He will hustle to all levels of the defense too. He effectively drive blocks defenders in front of him, led by his fundamental drive-block base and keeping his feet moving. I would like to see him continue to fight for inside leverage, controlling the defenders mid-chest, to totally dominate when drive blocking.rnrnRomano will be playing football in college, if he wants. The question that remains is just u0022where?u0022rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15224392/63ae787be97a31047caf697eu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c8ccee20447"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["380389"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Entering his third year as an OL starter for the Union Fighting Farmers is the 6'3u0022 265lb two-way linemen [player_tooltip player_id='380389' first='Zach' last='Menon']. In his first year starting as an interior defensive lineman, not only did he occupy blockers so his teammate Kordal Hinton could have a monster season, Menon registered 44 tackles, 2 TFL, and 3 sacks for himself too.rnrnThe first thing that pops about Menon is his power, which shows up in two situations. First, he works extremely well washing down defenders with his double-team partner. To boot, he then comes off and seals second-level defenders smoothly. Individually, he is able to drive defenders off the ball with his brute strength, as he gets hands on defender's chest plate the majority of the time. He also possesses soft feet in pass protection, which makes it difficult for defenders to make a move to get past him.rnrnI would love to see Menon continue to work on his pad level since he can play high at times. It would also benefit him to shorten his strides/steps when playing offensive line - make them short and choppy.rnrnMenon is an experienced, physical talent that Union should have success running behind all season long this fall.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/16362826/Zach-Menonu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c83bce38958"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["596076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lining up next to Max Romano in the trenches for the Westfield Blue Devils is his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='596076' first='Julian' last='Montez']. Of a physically imposing stature, Montez imposed his will on offensives all year long. This season he accrued 74 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 QB hurries, and 5 PDs. He also served as the Blue Devil's long snapper and is a member of their baseball team too.rnrnAfter watching film I was pleasantly surprised to see how well Montez changes direction. Typically with athletes of his size agile movements tend to be laborious. As DE what I enjoy most about him is that when he is unblocked he u003cemu003eseeks contact outu003c/emu003e, rather than waiting to absorb it. He wants to blow up oncoming blockers in the backfield. He also does a nice job reading his keys, which allows him to be in position to make plays from his DE spot. He also leverages his large frame to obstruct passing lanes when his rush does not get there.rnrnI cannot say that I have scouted many long snappers, mainly because the only time you notice them is when something goes wrong. Montez is different. He hustles down field after every single snap and shows that he wants to make every tackle in punt coverage. He is essentially a third gunner in punt coverage.rnrnMontez is a great high school talent. His game will propel to the next level as he improves his athleticism. In turn this will also improve his pass rush skills. Westfield is also infamous for DE/DT line stunts. Montez has a tell when he is stunting that I picked up on that he should be conscious of.rnrnI am excited to see him make the leap entering his senior year.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JxrRyu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c8ccee2036d"} /-->