Scout Notes from the Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday May, 6 I had the privilege to be personally invited by former high school and college coach <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPajic"><strong>Tom Pajic</strong></a> (give him a follow) to attend his Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase. The title of this event, however, is an underrepresentation of this event's breadth. Ballers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Maryland, and even one athlete from Ohio was registered. Participants ranged from graduating classes of 2024 - 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talented players across numerous states were not the only thing this event brought. Jersey Juice brought out college coaches ranging as far south as Maryland, as far west as Pennsylvania, and as far north as New Hampshire. A North Jersey guy myself, I was welcomed with open arms by the South Jersey high school head coaches and coordinators who were running the event as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As someone who previously ran large-scale football events across the country and on the international stage, I can honestly say that Coach Pajic's Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase is as good as they come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although I wanted to get my quick-hitting notes out this weekend my schedule did not permit. Without further adieu, here are my immediate, knee-jerk reactions from this outstanding event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scout's Notes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Saturday was a glorious day. Literally perfect weather to officially kick off camp season. Could not have ask for a better day.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>It seems as if the Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase is a family affair. Coach Pajic introduced me to several of his family members who were helping with a variety of event-day functions. It is clear that the Pajic family cares a great deal for this event, and by proxy, what provides for our student athletes.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The turnout was outstanding. Without knowing the official numbers my best guess was that there were approximately 275 participants in all. The hosting complex had two turf fields that was ideal for an event of this size. This is a nice number, but it also came with outstanding balance. What I mean by this is that there were <em>not </em>100 QBs and only 16 linemen. There was a nice, even distribution across positions with plenty of reps and competition to go around. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Jersey Juice Underclassmen Showcase champions itself as a college attraction, where college coaches from all around come out to. This was understated. Without the official count, I would guess that there were roughly 40-45 different universities represented by easily over 60 individual college coaches. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This is an event that college<em> <strong>head football coaches</strong></em> attend too. I was fortunate enough to get brief interviews from Head Coaches <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1654905305673678852"><strong>Mike Gutelius</strong></a> (The Catholic University of American), <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1654891207590330369">Calvin Thompson</a> </strong>(CAPP Football Academy), and <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1654881206754852864"><strong>Jeff Long</strong></a> (Moravian University) where they explain what they are looking for when they come out to events like this. Prospects, I implore you take note of this feedback.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>South Jersey high school football coaches fully support and endorse the Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase. There might have been close to 35-40 different South Jersey high school head coaches and coordinators working on Saturday. These coaches definitely see the value of Pajic's event too, as prospects from their programs were represented in full-force. They have an opportunity to work hands-on with some of their athletes and they also get them in front of several college coaches in the process. These coaches are bought in: they are paying the game back by paying it forward.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The program's run-of-show was outstanding, organized, timely, and efficient. Most of the prospects had checked-in by the time I arrived and the program started with a dynamic warmup. This allowed me to get a good look at the flexibility, bend, and how some of the prospects warm up. After warmups, athletes were tested for their 40 times, 5-10-5 shuttle, and L-Drill. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1654847399251124226">Coach Danny Collins</a> </strong>did a great job of explaining how to win the L-Drill. From there, they broke out into a 40 minute indy period and a 45 minute 1on1 period. The program concluded with the college coaches introducing themselves and prospects having an opportunity to introduce themselves to coaches and get information on their respective program's.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the next several days I will be releasing several articles that outline my thoughts on the talent that was in attendance on Saturday. Stay tuned as more is sure to come as I report out on the talent!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->