New Jersey Freshmen (c/o 2027) Football Player Ranking/Watchlist

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across the Garden State high school football teams are preparing for the upcoming season. For the majority of the class of 2027 athletes, they will be getting their first taste of high school ball in just a few short weeks. Prep Redzone Next is here to help shine a light on some of the freshman to know about in New Jersey this upcoming season. Not all will play varsity right away, and some of the athletes below may have already peaked athletically in football. On the other hand, there may be (probably will be) glaring omissions from the list below--and that's the beauty of it. <strong>This is a Watchlist </strong>based off athletes we have either <strong>watched</strong> on film or in person during their pre-high school careers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only player officially ranked in every state will be who we perceive as being the top prospect in the state for the class. In New Jersey, that 2027 prospect is [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb']. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">All other players will be listed as WL for Watchlist</span>. From Sussex County to Cape May County, take a look at these talented 2027 prospects as they begin their high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Jersey's #1 2027 Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb'] - Glassboro</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["426571"],"_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":"The number one prospect in the state of New Jersey as they being to start high school comes battle tested on every front. Sabb already holds offers from offers from big time like Georgia, Penn State, Oregon and Michigan among others. Speaking of Michigan, Sabb's oldest brother Keon, plays for the Wolverines right now. Xavier also has another brother, Amari, who a 2026 prospect that is quickly closing in on double digit offers. The younger Sabb brothers are part of a deeply-talented group of athletes in that 2026-2028 classes in the Glassboro program. For a public high school with less than 550 students, Glassboro could be set for a nice run in the near future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa55e"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='205460' first='Kahden' last='Davis'] - Seton Hall Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["205460"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":614434,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Great arm and accuracy down field—even better young man off the field. Working hard to get, and keep, his body ready for high school football. Arm talent is the biggest take away here, but can scramble if he needs to. Should have a year to develop before getting the keys to the whip as a sophomore is 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa605"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Running Back To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='437687' first='Bryan' last='Porter'] - Bergen Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437687"],"_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":"I'm shocked, that out of anyone in this write up, Porter doesn't have a scholarship offer yet.  The younger brother of Bergen Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='525111' first='Quincy' last='Porter'] (nearly 20 offers), he's technically more of an athlete then a running back. Already nearly 6-foot and a muscular 180 pounds. He's going to be very special.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa6a5"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receiver To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='751492' first='Zakai' last='Murphy'] - Don Bosco Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["751492"],"_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":"Good looking wide receiver/defensive back that plays both positions at a very high level. Considering what he already looks like, it will be scary to see what he develops into with weight room and speed work at one of the best football programs in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa714"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tight End To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='415091' first='JT' last='Geraci'] - Don Bosco Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415091"],"_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":"A really big, good-looking kid at almost 6-foot-5. Long arms and the ability to run routes like a wide receiver at this point are going to make him a tough mismatch. Also plays basketball and lacrosse at a high level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa7a4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Athlete To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='431426' first='Mikahi' last='Allen'] - Don Bosco Prep</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["431426"],"_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":"One of the best basketball/football player combos I have ever seen on the youth levelu002du002dregardless of state. Big, strong, fast and can play literally any position on the field at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds. Originally thought he'd be a tight end, but he's getting leaner and faster by the day. It should only be a few weeks until Allen picks up scholarship offers. He's u003cemu003ethatu003c/emu003e talented.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa81b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Lineman To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='531992' first='Connor' last='Long'] - Bergen Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["531992"],"_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":"Any coach in America would take a 6-foot-7, 330-pound freshmanu002du002dbut it's Bergen Catholic who got this big fella. Long, a fitting enough last name, is absolutely huge in every aspect of the word. Moves decently for his size and age toou002du002dhe plays some defensive end, too. Barring injuries or anything off the field that would prohibit him from playing, Long should be able to write his own ticket to the next level of football if he continues on his current path.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa8a2"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Lineman To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='910198' first='Andrew' last='Bowers'] - Rahway</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910198"],"_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":"Out of all position groups across the state for this class, the defensive line has the least amount of elite kids entering the high school level. However, Bowers is a kid that is waiting to explode on the scene. In the 6-foot-1/6-foot-2 space, he's a really impressive edge rusher. Great forward lean in his stance and fires off with really quick first step. Has good hips, can bend and get skinny quickly to beat slow-footed offensive tackles. Also a talented basketball player","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa90b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='431328' first='Tasheem' last='Butler'] - Glassboro</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["431328"],"_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":"As mentioned in [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb']'s write up, Butler is part of this deeply talented Glassboro group coming through. Has dropped 15 pounds since the winter and is moving much better and still hits like a truck. One of the meanest kids on the field I've seen in this cycle. Already holds an offer from Akron.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa972"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back To Know: [player_tooltip player_id='499258' first='Kenny' last='Johnson III'] - Glassboro</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499258"],"_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":"Like [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='431328' first='Tasheem' last='Butler'], Johnson III is also headed to Glassboro. While I believe he's the top defensive back right now, there's a good chance he could be recruited as a wide receiver too. He's had an active summer, having already campedu002du002dand impressedu002du002dat Maryland and Temple. In addition to 7v7 tournaments up and down the east coast.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7d80daa9e8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-jersey/rankings/new-jersey-2027-watch-list/">Click Here To See The Entire New Jersey Class of 2027 Watchlist</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading -->