Prep Redzone NJ’s 2023 Receiver of the Year Candidates
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Now that champions have been crowned and Prep Redzone New Jersey’s Stock Up Showcase is complete, it is now time to turn our attention to individual superlatives and recognitions. With many outstanding receivers who led their teams to outstanding seasons,…
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Continue ReadingNow that champions have been crowned and Prep Redzone New Jersey’s Stock Up Showcase is complete, it is now time to turn our attention to individual superlatives and recognitions. With many outstanding receivers who led their teams to outstanding seasons, here are the best of the best.
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Receiver Play – By the Numbers
NAME | SCHOOL | GRAD YEAR | RECEPTIONS | YARDS | RECEPTION TDS | AVERAGE | |
Lotzeir Brooks | Millville | 2025 | 61 | 1295 | 18 | 21.23 | |
Cam Miller | Winslow | 2025 | 57 | 1334 | 15 | 23.40 | |
Zachary Schnorrbusch | Ramapo | 2024 | 77 | 1244 | 18 | 16.16 | |
Matthew D’Avino | Montgomery | 2024 | 67 | 1051 | 16 | 15.69 | |
Quincy Porter | Bergen Catholic | 2025 | 53 | 1107 | 19 | 20.89 | |
Joseph Ciccotelli | Parsippany Hills | 2024 | 74 | 1147 | 14 | 15.50 |
Receiver Play – Scout’s Evaluation
All the receiver’s on today’s list have a second gear; however, what makes Brooks stand out is that he might be the only one who has a clear third gear. Brooks has the speed to get over top of defenders who are playing him with a 12-yard cushion. Although he can beat you over the top to stretch the defense, once that defense is stretch he can kill you with his vision on now/tunnel screens over the middle, as he often goes untouched. Aggressively, Brooks attacks the ball on said screen plays. His speed puts defenders on skates, as the most subtle shimmy or stutter will have defenders turned inside-out and thus out of position. This makes Brooks elusive to the point that he can escape you in a phone booth. Brooks knows to continue running his route through the middle of the field and sinks his hips on his breaks. I want to see Books high point the ball a bit more often, catch with his hands more consistently, and expand his route tree.
It did not matter who was at quarterback, as Winslow was forced to play two this year, Cameron Miller Cameron Miller 5’11” | 195 lbs | WR Winslow | 2025 State NJ produced at an extremely high level. Miller consistently goes up for contested balls, winning more times than not and high-pointing the ball when needed. With the ball in his hands Miller is awfully shifty. Miller’s second gear comes into effect when he is in the open field. This skillset, combine with this vision, makes Miller a threat to score at any point on the field. Additionaly, Miller breaks through weak tackles and maintains his balance both through weak contact and along the sideline. Right now Miller often catches the ball with his body – I would like to see him exclusively use his hands – as well as show a more diverse route tree on his film.
Schnorrbusch had a tremendous season leading the state in receptions. What immediately stood out to me is his routine ability to high point and catch the ball with his hands. Schnorrbusch appears to hit his top speed at about 6 yards from scrimmage. For whatever reason Schnorrbusch seems to deceive defenders with his speed, thus allowing himself to get behind them. When off and running, Schnorrbusch will use the stiff arm to create space from would-be tacklers. He is unafraid to go over the middle. In those short-to-intermediate routes he will go and attack the ball, snagging it out of the air. Against press coverage Schnorrbusch wins at the line with a shake-and-bake to get open. A few more opportunities lining up all over the field would do Schnorrbusch’s film some good, as well as developing the habit of sinking his hips when he break’s the stem of his route. Right now he seems to slow down a bit before cutting.
D’Avino had a tremendous senior campaign this fall. No matter where he lined up on the field, D’Avino produced for his team. What makes D’Avino unique is that he understands the subtle nuance on how to create extra space, influencing the way defenders move, by the way he runs his routes (not to be confused with creating separation in his route running). Similarly, D’Avino will use his body to box out and out-leverage defenders trying to play the ball and sells his route fakes nicely. He is a hands-catcher, high pointing the ball every opportunity he has to. By about the fourth step or so I would say D’Avino maxes out in speed. D’Avino seems to love the challenge of making catches that are heavily contested. D’Avino would benefit from a more expansive route tree and his routes will become sharper as he continues to sink his hips when breaking.
Highlights
With an Power-5 ready frame, body, and skillset there are appear to be few flaws in Porter’s game. Porter’s most transcending attribute are his twitchy hips. They provide him with the ability to change directly without breaking stride and maintain top speed. His open-field moves include a step-back and stiff arm. Porter also possesses great vision when in the open field. In order to break tackles Porter’s feet keep moving and gets his knees up to escape. Defenses need more than one defender to take him down. He can win jump ball at its apex. Route-running wise Porter makes shark-breaking routes and is unafraid to do so over the middle. Areas to hone in on would be to include more of his outstanding run blocking clips on his tape and to tuck the ball away as he engages in contact.
Ciccotelli does a tremendous job tracking the ball as it is airborne. He does so no matter where he lines up in the formation. As a ball carrier in the open field, Ciccotelli profiles a bit more as a one-cut runner who happens to shake off the arm tackles of diving defenders. Ciccotelli clearly makes it a point of emphasis to grab the ball out of mid-air with his hands, nabbing it at its highest point. When a screen his thrown his way, which seemed like a big part of Parsippany Hill’s passing attack, Ciccotelli went and actively attacked the ball to ensure it was his for keeps. Perhaps screens were such a big part of the offensive attack due to Ciccotelli’s vision as runner in the open field? On tape he cuts both with and against the grain en route to big gains. He also possesses enough wiggle to make a man or two miss. Ciccotelli would benefit from sinking his hips when he breaks his routes and resistance training.
Scout’s Pick
After considering statistics and watching film, I am going to split my vote vote for the 2023 Receiver of the Year. My choice goes to two receivers from the class of 2025 – Lotzeir Brooks Lotzeir Brooks 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Millville | 2025 State NJ and Quincy Porter Quincy Porter 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR Bergen Catholic | 2025 State NJ . How do our followers and fans feel? Do you agree? Let your voice be heard by commenting on my Twitter.