Must-See, High-Performing Athletes Currently Under the Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I have been continuing this current series scouting the Big Central Conference, I am not sure I have been <em>this </em>impressed with a batch of prospects yet. Hailing from the Big Central's Patriot Silver Division, this group of mid-sized programs (Hillside, New Providence, Arthur L. Johnson, Roselle, and Metuchen High Schools) happened to feature some talented players who are by all accounts under the radar. These prospects are athletic, perform at a high level, and deserve to get the level of recruiting attention they have earned.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='939310' first='Matt' last='Botvinis']","_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":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"New Providence","_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":"When New Providence needs a big play to change the momentum of a game, look no further than their 5'8u0022 165 safety [player_tooltip player_id='939310' first='Matt' last='Botvinis']. While being a contributor on offense at WR (5/60/1), he was an impact player who made his mark on the defensive side of the ball. Last season he made 46 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FR, 5 Int, 1 defenive TD, and 2 blocked kicks. Botvinis also plays lacrosse for the Pioneers.rnrnIt appears that Botvinis plays as a cover 2 safety and who rolls down to cover slot receivers. He is equally proficient at jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage and getting hands on receivers as they cross his face. Botvinis is disciplined, passing up deep routes to the coverage behind him and coming up aggressively in run support. He mirrors the QB's eyes very well too. An area for growth for this aggressive, big-time playmaker would be to loosen up his hips. By doing so, he will become twitchier and more explosive than he already is. More twitch and explosion will lead to more big, highlight-type plays.rnrnI was really impressed with Botvinis' film. He is a good player who does many things well. Any team would be thrilled to have him donning their uniform.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee185f2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15101970/6363c45b4deadf0c74a4f7e5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e ","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee186ad"} /--> <!-- 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":"McNaully Erminal","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hillside","_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":"If you enjoy freaky safeties who are fast, explosive, aggressive, and play the run as proficiently as they play the pass, then you are going to love the way McNaully Erminal plays the game of football. At 6 feet and 175lbs, Erminal made 40 tackles, 1 Int, 4 FF, 1 FR, and for a safety, a whopping 17 TFL and 4 sacks.rnrnErminal does a tremendous job making breaks on routes out of his back pedal. I would describe his breaks as sharp. If he does not pick the ball off or break up the pass, he is trying to make a play on the ball when executing a tackle. Speaking of which, he is a sure, physical tackler. Rather than throwing his body into the ball carrier, he is trying to make an absolute STICK and jack up his opposition. Perhaps the twitchiest thing I noticed Erminal do is his speed and timing off the ball when blitzing. This level of athleticism and quickness makes it impossible for WRs to block him along the perimeter. There are not a lot of holes in his game, but if I u003cemu003ehadu003c/emu003e to identify one area for him to focus on going into 2023 u003cemu003eI guessu003c/emu003e it would be to add more clips of him in man coverage.rnrnErminal is an under-the-radar player who colleges will be very happy to add next recruiting cycle and a college coach could get their next promotion from.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee18840"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14928128/6339c28e0428a405f43c01e4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee18888"} /--> <!-- 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":"Sean Kessock","_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":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arthur L. Johnson","_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":"Patrolling B-gap to B-gap for the Arthur L. Johnson Crusaders is the defensive lineman and heavyweight wrestler Sean Kessock. Measuring 5'11u0022 and 225lbs, he was credited with 22 tackles on the season.rnrnUpon watching his most recent highlight tape, Kessock engaged with offensive linemen by getting his hands on the man in front of him every single snap. It does not matter whether it was a man-on blocking assignment or him squeezing, like a robot, his hands got on someone in front of him. Kessock absolutely jacks up and jolts back smaller, weaker players in front of him. I noticed that he also matches the first step of the OL he is assigned to. This indicates that he is keen on block recognition. Kessock must update his film. A rising junior, his most recent tape was from his u003cemu003esophomoreu003c/emu003e season from over a year ago. Based on that film, I am assuming he has only got stronger. The other big thing I am looking for are clips of him working pass rush moves.rnrnSomewhat a mystery, Kessock is a rock-solid player who produces sound play from his DT spot. I really hope to see some new film from Kessock very soon, as I am sure college coaches would hope for the same too.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee1899e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15270150/61943223b534f708e82442e1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee189d0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1659582],"_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":"Perhaps the Metuchen Bulldogs' most versatile piece on offense was the sophomore talent [player_tooltip player_id='679058' first='Evan' last='Toth']. Toth lined up all over the field and put in work. Whether he was lined up at slot, RB, FB, or wing, Toth accumulated 88 carries for 564 yards, and 8 TDs. He pitched in as a pass catcher going 12/104 and managed 32 stops (1 for a loss), 1 FR, and 1 defensive TD.rnrnToth is a tough, gritty runner who manages to stay on his feet. He is able to brace for hits, keep his balance, and stay upright. When lined up as a tailback out of the I formation, he hits the hole at full speed. He is a straight-line runner. When getting the ball, regardless of where he lines up on the field, he plows forward on a straight path as soon as he finds the hole. I want to see Toth improve his agility going into his junior season. He is blessed with power as a runner, now should he add a little wiggle to his game it will make him even u003cemu003emore u003c/emu003edynamic, u003cemu003emore u003c/emu003eexplosive, and u003cemu003emore u003c/emu003evaluable to how the Bulldogs' offense moves the ball.rnrnRemember: Toth just completed his u003cemu003esophomore u003c/emu003eseason as a vital part of what Metuchen does. Undoubtedly more will be asked of him in 2023. How will he respond? We will have to wait to find out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee18a59"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6255802/6368f23819a50509bc7a3336' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee18a84"} /--> <!-- 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":"Gabe DeLuca","_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":"null","_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":"New Providence","_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 center is often considered the pioneer for the offensive line. This is exactly what the New Providence Pioneers have with Gabe DeLuca. The two-way lineman anchored the offense and contributed on defense with 14 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack during the 2022 campaign.rnrnIf a center is not blocking back for pulling guards, he will be working a double team. DeLuca does a great job of working double teams in both pass protection and the ground game. In pass protection he does a nice job helping with his body while keeping his eyes up to come off for threats to his gap. Similarly, when run blocking he does a solid job of working off to the LB. DeLuca comes up big in goal line situations by getting a real nice push with double teams. One area I see for DeLuca to clean up is how he uses his hands. In pass protection he will punch and recoil as he is supposed to; however, he must remember to not extend his arms - thus creating space - when run blocking until he is ready to u0022finishu0022 his block. By extending he will reach and become off balance and an easy shed for defenders.rnrnDeLuca is someone the Pioneers will be counting on in 2023 to do the dirty, unglorified work that is perhaps the most important on the football field.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/38718/Boys-Varsity-Football/highlightsu0022u003eHudlu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a35ee18b68"} /-->