Big-bodied Bullies: 23’s Top Returning OL from the Super FB Conf.
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Having wrote about o-linemen from the Shore Conference yesterday, it just put me in an o-line type of mood. As such, today we are going double-or-nothing. Today we take a look at some of North Jersey’s Super Football Conference’s top…
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Continue ReadingHaving wrote about o-linemen from the Shore Conference yesterday, it just put me in an o-line type of mood. As such, today we are going double-or-nothing. Today we take a look at some of North Jersey’s Super Football Conference’s top o-linemen set to return in 2023.
Union City’s wingback Mark Boyd Mark Boyd 5’9″ | 160 lbs | RB Union City | 2025 State NJ soared above the competition last fall averaging 10 YPC, while also scoring 15 TDs. But would he have accomplished all this without his fellow Soaring Eagles in the trenches? JaSire Peterson JaSire Peterson 6’5″ | 270 lbs | OL Union City | 2023 State NJ did much of the work the last four seasons up front, but at 6’7″ 310lbs Anthony Crawford Anthony Crawford 6’6″ | 310 lbs | OL Union City | 2024 State NJ does more than hold is own.
The first outstanding thing I saw Crawford do was on one play where he was the backside tackle. His adjacent guard pulled so Crawford had to protect the vacated gap and then hinge block. Inexplicably, Crawford was able to reach the backside LB! This single play shows his quickness when getting to the second level from the backside on a play away from him. Related, Crawford shows a great motor when reach blocking, never relenting and refusing to lose his matchup. Give his size and strength, either with on a double team or on a drive block, Crawford’s assignment stands absolutely no chance of holding the point. In pass protection we see Crawford bat the hands of the pass rusher down. I would love to see Crawford leverage his length to his advantage in pass protection by punching and recoiling. He should avoid pressing defenders off when run blocking before initiating movement from his drive block.
Not sure what is in the water over in Union City, but lately they have produced mammoth linemen with D1AA size. Crawford continues this trend, now looking to cap his prep career with a Group V state championship.
This next player, out of Mountain Lakes, was actually first seen at our Stock Up Showcase Tour back over the winter. At 6’4″ 245lbs, offenses better run when the hear the Heard, led by Cosmo Fusco Cosmo Fusco 6’4″ | 245 lbs | DL Mountain Lakes | 2024 NJ , in hot pursuit. Also a lacrosse and basketball player, Fusco earned post-season superlatives as an o-linemen despite all of his film is of him playing defense.
From his 4i alignment we see that Fusco sheds blocks easily. He is also disciplined and gets his hands on the man in front of him each and every snap. It does not stop there though – Fusco then knows to strain and separate in order to see the play and make the play in either gap. Fusco hands are starting to emerge, as we see instances of him fight for inside leverage. From his 4i position, he makes the lives of backside tackles miserable by doing a great job of following pulling guards to the play. Although he made several sacks, if Fusco wants to immediately play college football in the fall of 2024 he should work his hands and hips when pass rushing.
Fusco is a great, talented prospect. He does many things well and has the size to play any spot on either side of the line. I feel he might be a diamond-in-the-rough type prospect colleges should be more in-tune with heading into his senior season.
Highlights
If there is one thing the West Side Roughriders have an abundance of, it is size. With Tahir Davies Tahir Davies LB Weequahic | 2024 NJ heading up the defense, 6’6″ 310lb RT LaQuann Gaddy LaQuann Gaddy 6’6″ | 310 lbs | OL Westside | 2024 NJ sets the tone for the offensive line. Gaddy made 34 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 FR last year, while also playing basketball for the Newark-based school
An offensive tackle might be what Gaddy was destined to be. Aside from his size, he possesses quick, light feet. This allows him to have a wonderful kick-step in pass protection – something that is a requisite in West Side’s pass-heavy attack. Once he gives some ground, Gaddy displays his strength and will toss would-be pass rushers aside. Gaddy keeps his head on a swivel as well, flawlessly picking up line stunts. For a young man his size, rocket screens are definitely a play you keep in the playbook because Gaddy moves very well, particularly in space. His size and momentum allows for him flatten defenders when asked to down block. Gaddy must improve his bend and flexibility if he aspires to start on day one at whatever college he winds up playing for. More bend will allow him to get consistent leg drive when run blocking. Another way for Gaddy to demonstrate how strong he is would be to punch and recoil when pass protecting.
Gaddy has a prospect’s body and the skillset to excel in either a west coast, zone, or run-and-shoot type offense in college. Given his self-reported GPA of 3.5, there will be countless college campuses looking to welcome him with open arms.
Romadon Adams Romadon Adams 5’11” | 180 lbs | RB Paterson Eastside | 2024 NJ makes big plays. Gone in a jiffy, some might call him a Ghost. However, he does not do any of this without the help of his selfless o-linemen. In particular, one 5’8″ o-lineman on Paterson Eastside seems willing to do all the gritty, dirty work necessary for Adams to succeed. Playing center for the Paterson Eastside Ghosts is Jared Edwards Jared Edwards 5’8″ | OL Paterson Eastside | 2024 NJ .
Edwards has a great sense for the game. We see this manifest in the quick screen game, where Edwards will automatically turn his assignment into a run block. This gives the LBs a false read and makes them a step slower to the play. When his adjacent guard pulls, Edwards protects the vacated hole well and plays with correct leverage, attacking the down-lineman’s inside shoulder. Double teams are another strength of Edwards’ game, as he and his corresponding guards drive opponents hip-to-hip. His grittiness is shown in he always seems to play to the whistle. When Edwards is in pass protection, he does a nice job helping with his body and peeling off for any blitzing LBs. Getting some more bend and flexibility will pay dividends for Edwards. It will help him stay lower and help him keep a consistent base so drive blocking will become easier.
The Eastside Ghosts have had a great run in recent seasons. Might it be attributed to a certain attitude and style of play? If it is, Edwards embodies it.
Teaming up in the trenches with Dylan Cotter Dylan Cotter 6’0″ | 205 lbs | DL Newton | 2024 State NJ for Newton is his 6’2″ 250lb partner-in-crime Billy Greenhalgh Billy Greenhalgh 6’2″ | 205 lbs | OL Newton | 2024 NJ . There were no available statistics for Greenhalgh, while there was very little film available on him.
In the little bit of tape we were able to watch, we see that Greenhalgh is powerful when down blocking. He generates immense force and drive, moving his matchup down the line. Greenhalgh is so strong and physical that it appears that he can bowl defenders into one another down the line. Once he succeeds in getting the defender on his back, he does not relent; Greenhalgh will look for his next victim in his path to pancake. Aside from seeing more film, on that film I would love to see Greenhalgh get his butt lower and clean up his footwork, consistently stepping with the correct foot.
The Braves have two building blocks in the trenches that are, no doubt, pounding weights all winter long. With two big-time, returning starters back expect the Newton Braves to be a top team in their playoff bracket once again.