Freaky Friday: Freshman Edition
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Freaky Friday was a movie that has been re-done at least twice in my lifetime. Today, we complete the trilogy – only this time, with freshman football players whose film shows that they are absolute freaks on the gridiron. Originally…
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Continue ReadingFreaky Friday was a movie that has been re-done at least twice in my lifetime. Today, we complete the trilogy – only this time, with freshman football players whose film shows that they are absolute freaks on the gridiron. Originally identified by Prep Redzone Next, below are five standout freshman from the class of 2026 that, as The Notorious B.I.G. said, “if you don’t know, now you know.”
The Glassboro Bulldogs have a freshman-dynamo on the rise. At 5’10” 165lbs there is not much Amari Sabb Amari Sabb 5’10” | 165 lbs | ATH Glassboro | 2026 State NJ cannot do on the football field. Last season he rushed for 765 yards and 6 TD; he caught 14 balls for 136 yards and 2 TDs; converted 3, two-point conversations; made 27 tackles, 2 TFL, 4 Int, blocked 1 kick, 22 PBUs; and also plays basketball.
In the first clip of his highlights we see that Sabb’s athleticism on display. He is out of position but he manages to recover and make a play on the ball from his CB spot. He is adept at going up high to catch the ball on either phase of the game and makes receptions and interceptions with his strong hands. When he cannot make a play on the pass attempt, he will play the defender’s hands and break up the catch. With the ball in his hands Sabb has break-away speed. Sabb has the vision to follow his blockers into the hole when running too. On the freshman level Sabb has done a great job. To prepare for the varsity lineup, Sabb should look to be more aggressive when being the force player in run support. Through coaching and practice, things like being out of position will be cleaned up as he gets more repetitions and watches more film.
With Sabb in the mix, and two more outstanding rising 8th graders already on our radar, it appears that Glassboro might be ready to break the proverbial glass ceiling.
Bergen Catholic recruited a genetic freak of an 8th grader this last recruiting cycle. Standing at 6’4″ 190lbs is CJ Edwards CJ Edwards 6’4″ | 190 lbs | DL Bergen Catholic | 2026 State NJ . As a freshman for the Crusaders, Edwards played WR and edge on defense.
Edwards has a super-rate combination of size and athleticism for someone his age and size. This is what makes him a matchup nightmare along the perimeter. There are few freshman DBs, let alone varsity DBs, who can measure up against him. Edwards is a strider, gaining a tremendous amount of yardage with each step he takes. This forces DBs to play further off of him, opening up the hook-to-curl routes for Edwards. Edwards then has enough finesse and savvy to build off the hook-to-curl cushion he is given to run stop-and-go, and horizontally breaking routes too. Edwards also plays screens with grace, weaving back into the inside to follow his blockers. Defensively we see him either as a DE with his hand in the dirt or split out wide to cover trips. No matter where he is, Edwards gets his hands on the man in front of him. He pursues the ball well and is not lost in space by any means. He takes fluid pass drops and gets to appropriate depth. He then tracks the QBs eyes well. As a pass rusher he is too fast off the edge for his freshman competition to block. Edwards will improve as he develops the ability to catch exclusively with his hands and works his hands/hips when pass rushing.
Edwards is a super-raw, yet upside-limitless talent that should be a top prospect out of Jersey in 2027.
Highlights
This next freshman QB started 7 games on varsity in 2023. Yes, you read that right. He went 91/140 for 1329 yards, while tossing 12 TDs to just 4 Ints. He slashed 22/67/2 on the ground and caught 1 pass for 10 yards. Enter DePaul’s QB of the present and future Derek Zammit. Sorry, I almost forgot: Zammit, the freshman, led DePaul to a Non-public Group B State Championship.
The 6 foot 170lb Spartan plays like a seasoned veteran. His raw arm strength jumps off the film. You notice this when Zammit is forced to throw off his back foot with pressure in his face. He throws bee bees all over the field. He does this because when given time, Zammit transfers his weight and twitches his hips like a true pocket passer. Zammit tosses a beautiful fade ball to his receiver each time and seemingly hits all his receivers in stride. Again, like a veteran, he moves just enough in the pocket to set up easier throws for himself. Defenders do not have a chance to make a play on the ball with his quick and sudden release. Zammit makes these Maholmes-esque plays where when things get tough, he improvises his throws. There were several instances where he seemingly just flicks the ball effortlessly side-armed, but the pass was an absolute bullet in a position only where his teammate could catch it. If his first release is not there, Zammit will scramble when progressing through subsequent reads. Zammit’s production will explode if he can go through his progressions from the pocket.
There is something remarkable about Zammit’s game, pedigree, production, success, and early playing time that makes me think he will be one of New Jersey’s most prodigious prep QBs when it is all said and done. Now loading: Derek Zammit – sophomore year.
Highlights
Donovan Catholic has itself one helluva class of 2026. With Najee Calhoun Najee Calhoun 5’11” | 180 lbs | RB Bergen Catholic | 2026 State NJ and Emanuel Genera locking down the skill positions for the next three years, they are joined by fellow rising freshman Kai Pritchard Kai Pritchard 6’4″ | 260 lbs | OL Donovan Catholic | 2026 State NJ . At 6’4″ 260lbs Pritchard patrols the trenches (and also the hardwood) for the Griffins.
As any dominant OT needs to, Pritchard merks defenders when he down blocks. He absolutely pummels down-linemen, flattening them in the process. Perhaps ahead of his age, we see this young, emerging lineman keeping his eyes up on double teams and seal the second level. As Pritchard does this more consistently, college coaches will drool when they watch his film. I noticed that Pritchard’s first step seems to always be correct as well. This gives him an immediate advantage with his body sealing off angles. Pritchard also pulls very well. He gets to the point of attack quickly and keeps his head on a swivel, looking for the first inside threat. For Pritchard to continue his ascension to become the best lineman in the 2026 class, needs to drive block with a consistent base and grab the defender’s chest plate. Doing these two things will enable him to completely take the defender for a ride with himself in the driver’s seat.
“Calhoun carries to the right, cuts off the down block by Pritchard, cracking down on the LB is Genera… and he scores!” Might be a play-by-play call we hear early and often over the next three seasons.
Red Bank Catholic has one freshman Casey who has the potential to electrify any time the ball is in his hands. At 5’9″ 150lb their class of 2026 is headlined by RB Will Andrade Will Andrade 5’9″ | 160 lbs | RB Monsignor Farrell | 2026 NY .
Andrade has the speed on the freshman level to out run entire defenses. He possesses quick feet and has a subtle shiftiness to him. These two factors lead Andrade to be a smooth, fluid runner. He does a nice job absorbing contact, keeping his balance, and continuing to run as if he was unimpeded. In dual-back sets, Andrade is a willing blocker, throwing nasty lead blocks for his teammate. Much of Andrade’s film show him getting to the perimeter quickly. For him to flourish at the varsity level, he we want to see him run in between the tackles, running inside first and then bouncing it to the perimeter.
Andrade is a great young talent waiting in the wings. With a full offseason in the weigh room and a summer’s worth of varsity practice, there is no doubt Andrade will be in the Casey’s lineup this fall. Given his talents and versatility, it is just more a question of “where?”