New York Jets’ 11-On: Friday’s Lineman Challenge Notes, Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday, August 7 I was lucky enough to take in the final qualifying round for the New York Jets' 11-On event. This event featured 7on7 competition for the skill players and a lineman competition for the bigs. Across two days and several "pods," the two platoons competed against their counterparts from other high schools within the region to aggregate a total score for their respective teams. The top scoring teams from each pod would be invited back for the playoffs during the event's final day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first took in the lineman competition. Below are a handful of lineman that I got a look at and wanted to share some thoughts on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898554"],"_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 first things I noticed when I arrived in the linemen's pit was Gashi's presence. One of the more burly linemen in attendance, he had height and a lean body. He was not sloppy and he loved to compete. I would regard Gashi as West Essex's vocal leader. He had a voice that carried and encouraged his teammates every step of the way as they competed throughout each drill.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ab4b48207c6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898555"],"_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":"Nigro, a teammate of Gashi's, was a monster on the two-way power sled. His leg drive was constant and fundamentally sound - he took short, choppy steps in order for the sled to glide effortlessly like a knife through hot butter. Unlike some of his adversaries competing, he also controlled the sled throughout the drill as it only went in one direction - straight. It is apparent that he is well coached and coachable, as he applied football movements to the drill in isolation.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ab55a98892a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898543"],"_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 younger linemen Jefferson brought out to compete, Thompson might just be the Falcons' next anchor on the line for years to come. What impressed me about Thompson was how nimble he was during agilities. He was light on his feet and could move them well. He has a nice size frame that he can add weight too. If he does this and manages to keep his athleticism, Thompson should pan out as a nice college prospect in 2026.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ab55a9889ac"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898553"],"_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":"From what I understand Koneru is in just his first year playing high school football. The senior is no stranger to competition however, as he is a varsity player for Jefferson's basketball team. This natural, competitive edge inherit in him is what caught my eye about Koneru. He was a consistent, maximum-effort contributor for Jefferson's bigs during the lineman challenge. Given how relentless he pumps feet to generate leg drive, I am curious as to what Koneru's vert might be.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ab55a988a01"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871046"],"_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":"This was actually the second time I got to see Williams in person, first watching him perform at the AVC Mega Football Camp. From my previous notes it was more of the same... u003cemu003eand then someu003c/emu003e. Williams' speed and agility was on display from the opening whistle; but what made him shine in my eyes was the power he packs and unleashes. This manifested during kettlebell farmer walks - where Williams was practically running laps around others without even grimacing - and the 2-point medicine ball toss. Despite finishing second overall in the latter event, he was about 2 feet short of the leader and showed off the power his punch generates and the violent snap and ensuing force he possesses in his hips.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ab55a988a5a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898542"],"_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":"Parker was the standout amongst the group of Canucks. Only a sophomore himself, Parker already seemed to be the lead dog amongst what appeared to be a young group of lineman for North Plainfield. He led the way by often going first, modeling and teaching for his younger teammates. Positivity and leadership was something that naturally oozed out of Parker, as he was a beacon of encouragement and strategized for his team. He moved relatively smoothly throughout agility courses as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ab55a988aae"} /-->