Loaded Rosters: Newark East Side
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Going 5-5 on the season, Newark East Side blew out some teams in 2022. Moving in the positive direction after winning only 1 game in two seasons, this team is moving forward with some strong talent. This team is filled…
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Continue ReadingGoing 5-5 on the season, Newark East Side blew out some teams in 2022. Moving in the positive direction after winning only 1 game in two seasons, this team is moving forward with some strong talent. This team is filled with young athletes that are stepping into the spotlight. This offense will be lighting up the scoreboard this upcoming fall.
Xavier Smith Xavier Smith 5’8″ | 155 lbs | QB Newark East Side | 2026 NJ is one of my favorite QBs from New Jersey’s 2026 class. A player with already a ton of experience, Xavier helped lead Newark East Side to success in his freshman year. Xavier has everything you’d want in a modern QB, deep arm strength, amazing quickness, and the ability to perform well even when he’s under duress. With the offensive talent Newark East Side has, Xavier should continue to flourish.
If you’re not convinced yet that Xavier is a special talent, watch his highlights from his freshman year below. He displays so much skill as a passer and runner. Passing for 1125 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, he was able to maneveur in and out of the pocket, square his shoulders up, and deliver a deep ball to a wide open man. As a runner, he was able to tuck it and run when needed and has the ability to shed tacklers with his agility and toughness. Watch out for what Xavier does in 2023.
Ja’Kem Brown
Ja’Kem Brown
Ja’Kem Brown is the target Xavier Smith Xavier Smith 5’8″ | 155 lbs | QB Newark East Side | 2026 NJ threw to the most to in 2022, and for good reason. A 2025 WR, Ja’Kem was able to bring in 8 touchdowns and 588 yards last season. A big bodied receiver, Ja’Kem is a player that consistently catches the ball away from his body and snags it at its highest point. Comfortable with catching the ball over the shoulder, Ja’Kem is a reliable target for Newark East Side’s young gunslinger.
Jaquise Mckever Jaquise Mckever 5’9″ | 170 lbs | DB Newark Eastside | 2024 NJ is the second receiver for Newark East Side that needs to be highlighted because this aerial attack will be deadly next fall. Bringing in 339 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, Jaquise is a clean route runner and able to create separation between himself and the defender. A receiver with hops to get over the defender for the jump ball, Jaquise will watch the ball all the way in to make sure he makes the catch. With a combination of speed and strength, Jaquise delivers a burst of speed but also is able to shed arm tackles. Defensively, he will be a turnover machine next season as he was able to intercept the ball twice last season and also force a fumble.
Highlights
Malachi West-Williams Malachi West-Williams 5’7″ | 140 lbs | ATH Newark Eastside | 2025 State NJ is a player that has been highlighted before, and we will continue to shine light on him so he can get the recognition he deserves. A 2025 DB for Newark East Side, Malachi is a hybrid athlete on defense and could really play multiple positions in the defensive backfield.
In 2022 he played from a rolled up nickelback position, and played a big role in the pass and run game. A reliable tackler, Malachi is very shifty and is able to evade blockers and get to the ball carrier without having to take on a big block. He will continue to make it a challenge for any offense to try to run it to the outside. In 2023 we may also see Malachi make a bigger impact on offense and special teams, as he really is an all around playmaker.
Emmanuel Mingo Emmanuel Mingo 6’0″ | 170 lbs | LB Newark East Side | 2024 NJ is a fast, vicious tackler. Accumulating 70.5 tackles and forcing a fumble in 2022, Emmanuel is a very athletic linebacker that could even thrive from the safety position. He may be a shorter linebacker, but he makes up for it with his quickness. He picks up speed when he gets closer to the runner, and makes it very hard for a QB to gain positive yardage if they decide to scramble. His speed also helps out a ton in the pass game as he is able to keep up with receivers and drop into coverage very quickly, setting himself up to get in the way of the pass. Emmanuel is a gem on this defense and deserves a lot more recognition.