Midway Monsters: Top LB’s At Jersey Shore AYF 14U All-Star Tryout

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use&nbsp;<strong>PROMO CODE: ALPOPS40&nbsp;</strong>for a&nbsp;<strong>DISCOUNT&nbsp;</strong>on your Prep Redzone Next subscription. The Jersey Shore AYF All-Stars have been a dominant force over the better part of the last decade, having won the AYF All-Star tournament five times. More than that, the 14U team is the reigning back-to-back-to back National Champions and this past weekend they took their first steps towards championship number six. Here's a look at the linebacker's that impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1014509"],"_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":"Koc made the 12U AYF All-Star team a year ago and was one that stood out to me in person last December at the tournament. It came as no surprise that the Tom's River prospect once again stood out at the tryout this past weekend. Passed the eye test right away at 6-foot and 175 pounds (size not verified) and was specifically impressive in the W drill, which showcased his ability to attack fast, break down and then change direction again. He plays middle linebacker during the season, but I feel that with the size, ability and overall athleticism that Koc possesses, he can play a number of different positions on the defensive side of the ballu002du002du0022Roveru0022 or u0022Staru0022 quickly come to mind.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1014503"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Staying in the mold of taller, pretty well-put together linebacker's, [player_tooltip player_id='1014503' first='Lukas' last='Iliescu'] of Southern is cut from a very similar mold as [player_tooltip player_id='1014509' first='Dante' last='Koc']. He's a little shorter and leaner than Kocu002du002dlikely in the 5-foot-11 and 170-pound range (unverified)u002du002dbut the look very similar on the field. In any All-Star format there will be athletes playing u0022out of positionu0022 at times, but a kid like Iliescu has a skill set that translates to play multiple positions in the defensive front seven. A multi-sport athlete, he was the strength to play as a Mike but then the build and athleticism to play in the boundaries. I'd have to see more of him to be able to definitely say it, but I think he could probably provide value as a defensive end in pass rush situations too.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1014507"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"There was a lot of talent on display in the running back/linebacker session of the tryout and a lot of kids who can/will play both sides of the ball. Howell's [player_tooltip player_id='1014507' first='Tim' last='O'Rourke'] is probably one of those kids on the fringe of making this teamu002du002dbut there's a lot to like. O'Rourke showed off toughness and grit throughout the tryout. He attended the first tryout session, which was for OL/DL and Defensive End's, and that's where he originally caught my eye. He hung tough and battled in the trenches with the big boys, then stayed around and went back to work with the linebackers. Played with a strong base and was pretty agile at both positionsu002du002dlikely aided by him wrestling in the off-season. Again, I think he's on the cusp of making the team, but he showed he can play on the line or as a linebackeru002du002dwhich could help him out.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1014510"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The second of three Toms River linebackers to stand out at the tryout, my biggest take away from watching [player_tooltip player_id='1014510' first='Finn' last='Boland'] was his speed. Boland looked very fast throughout the tryout and had a couple coaches doing double-takes at their stopwatches. Boland comes from a solid line of football players; His father (Tom) played at King's College, he has an older brother (Ty Boland) who is currently playing D1 ball at Sacred Heart University and another brother ([player_tooltip player_id='1040416' first='Blaise' last='Boland']) that is a 2025 prospect that is starting to see see u003cemu003ehis u003c/emu003erecruitment pick up. The younger Boland made the 12U All-Star team last year and should be on the 14U team this year. He's an ideal Will linebacker with this speed allowing him to make plays in space.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["910821"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='910821' first='Brock' last='Goodman'] made the 14U All-Star's last year as one of the youngest kids on the team. After reclassing in the off-season, Goodman is playing with athletes his age and I'd be shocked if he wasn't back on the team again this year. The Howell prospect looks like your prototypical Mike linebacker with a barrel chest and a muscular frame from head to toe. It was my first time being able to watch him in a controlled, combine-like setting and I was impressed with the way he moved. With his build I thought he would be a bit robotic or tight, but the three-sport athlete (lacrosse and wrestling) had pretty good speed and agility.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1014504"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Depending on what type of defense the 14U All-Star's run in December at the tournament, opposing offenses could be staring at [player_tooltip player_id='910821' first='Brock' last='Goodman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1014504' first='Niko' last='Iliescu'] in the middle of the defense on every play. [player_tooltip player_id='1014504' first='Niko' last='Iliescu'] is about as thick as they come for a linebacker at this stage, listed at 5-foot-8 and 180-pounds (unverified) with a ton of compact muscle. Like Lucas Iliescu listed above, Niko also plays lacrosse and showed off some his quick bursts during the tryout. He looked very good during running back drillsu002du002da position he plays during the regular season for Southernu002du002dand wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few carries around the goal line or fourth and inches. With the speed and stable of backs the 14U All-Star team should have on paper, look for the overwhelming majority of Iliescu's play to come on defense, where he could be a double-digit tackle guy in each game.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1014511"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The fact that all three of the starting linebackers for Toms River made this write up of top performers, should scare people around the Jersey Shore for years to come. Typically lining up as the Sam linebacker alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1014509' first='Dante' last='Koc'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1014510' first='Finn' last='Boland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1014511' first='Ryan' last='Hetzel'] is another kid with excellent speed. I didn't get a chance to see their 40-yard times, which were hand-timed and ran in helmet and shoulder pads to assimilate in-game speed, but Hetzel had to be in the 4.7's if I had to guess. His combination of speed and above average size makes him an ideal fit as a Sam because he can handle any big tight ends that may try to run up the seem. The lone knock on Hetzel that I've seen is in reading and reacting to a play. At times he almost u0022panicsu0022 and gets happy feet while trying to diagnose the play, before his natural ability kicks in and he makes the play. After making the 12U All-Star team last year, number 44 will almost certainly be on the field again this December.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6512ad4580d66"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Additional Linebacker Tryout Notes</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1147567' first='Michael' last='Boulard']</em></strong> | Wall - Does not shock me in the least to learn that Boulard is also a wrestler. He looks and moves like one on the football field. Good muscle and toughness, despite being smaller. Was always in a good position and linebacker stance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tevin Chambers</em></strong> | Berkeley - Chambers looked like one of the top athletes at the tryout in terms of speed and physicality. At times he flashed as both a running back and a linebacker but was inconsistent. If he can harness his natural athletic ability, there could be something here based off raw talent alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Logan Scully </em></strong>| Point Pleasant - Scully did a ton of good things on both sides of the ball throughout the tryout. I'd put him in the top 5-10 players at both running back and linebacker. When he arrives at the point of contact, he makes sure the other person feels it. Scully has all the tools to become a very good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Noah Fitzpatrick</em></strong> | Freehold - The nephew of current Pittsburgh Steeler safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, there's a lot of potential here. He's high cut with long legs and unassuming power. Not sure where he really fits on the football field at this point, so listing him as an ATH is probably the best bet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Miles Martin</em></strong> | Rumson - Rounding out the group, Martin is a kid that I liked. In my notes I wrote down, "has some [shoot] to his game" because he seemed to play with a little attitude every time I was watching. It will be interesting to see what he looks like after he starts hitting the weight room and physically matures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->