Prep Redzone NJ’s 2023 Run-Stuffer 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 defenders 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 defenders who led their teams to outstanding seasons, here are the best of the best.
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Run-Stuffer Play – By the Numbers
Alex Altemus | Bodie Maisano | Christian Magliacano | Myles Hamilton | Edward Cooper | Joey Formisano | |
Dayton | Verona | St. Thomas Aquinas | Linden | South Hunterdon | Hasbrouck Heights | |
2024 | 2026 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
Tackles | 184 | 173 | 162 | 155 | 153 | 150 |
Solos | 105 | 99 | 107 | 36 | 35 | 103 |
Tackle for Loss | 13 | 11 | 32 | 23 | 0 | 5 |
Forced Fumbles | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Fumble Recoveries | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Interceptions | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Sacks | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
Defensive TDs | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Blocked Kicks | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Run-Stuffer Play – Scout’s Evaluation
Alex Altemus was New Jersey’s leading tackler this season. Altemus runs through contact, allowing the force he generates from running full speed to drop ball carries. It is my best guess that he was likely the most physical presence on any given play this season. This is backed up by the fact there was a clip of two where Altemus lined up with his hand in the dirt. Altemus was able to make nearly 200 tackles this season due to the superior pursuit angles he takes. When he is not pursuing, you can find him in the backfield, as Altemus accelerates nicely when he seems the backside window open up. On rollout plays Altemus does a nice job slow playing the sprint-out, allowing himself a two-way go to drop and cover or close in on the quarterback. For as solid as an enforcer Altemus was during his senior year, I am certain that colleges would appreciate clips of him in pass coverage and disengaging blockers.
Highlights
The only sophomore to make today’s list, Maisano does a lot of things well at an early age for the Hillbillies. First off, Maisano probably played defensive line at one point because I immediately noticed him get hands on an oncoming blocker, peek to his assigned gap, and shed the block to make a play. No clip embodies this more than the 3:31 mark on his highlight tape. An impressive play we see Maisano read his keys, engage with the guard, fight the guard’s pressure – out leveraging him in the process – and makes a tackle for a minimal gain. Should he make it through the line untouched, Maisano possesses great closing speed on the ball carrier. A great tackler, I suspect he might recognize his gun reads slightly better than from under center. Maisano’s film will benefit from clips of him in coverage. Similarly, Maisano – again just a sophomore – would benefit from a great offseason in the weight room so he can jolt back oncoming linemen.
It seems like for the last two seasons Christian Magliacano Christian Magliacano 6’3″ | 220 lbs | LB St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 NJ has been good for 20+ tackles a game. Part of this is attributed to Magliacano’s great form tackling where he is adept at using leverage to his advantage. I would describe Magliacano as an instinctual player. I say this because the 2024 graduate made countless tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His instincts and resulting success has to do with, at least partly, how he reads his keys as clear as day. Once in the backfield, Magliacano is a nimble enough athlete to change directions and zero in on ball carriers trying to dance in the hole. Similarly, when blitzing against the pass, he can make linemen miss when they are in their pass pro. When stunting, Magliacano does a great job of timing them. Magliacano did include some clips of him in pass coverage. It seems as though he understands his team’s defensive scheme and were he needs to be in coverage; however, more clips – particularly in man coverage – would not hurt.
One of the first players I recall scouting when I was brought on by Prep Redzone, Myles Hamilton Myles Hamilton 6’3″ | 190 lbs | LB Linden | 2024 State NJ is one of the most twitchiest, explosive second-level players in the field of public schools (and possibly the state). The first thing that pops is how Hamilton as an elite get off. I would say he jumps the snap count; however, he gets off at this speed with such consistency it is hard to make that claim. This get off, combine with his twitchiness, makes him an extremely tough matchup for offensive lineman. He does a nice job setting them up with speed early on to take the inside later. His fluency in changing direction allows him to win in tight spaces as well. Given that Hamilton played in a 30-stack defense last year, he was versatile enough to line up in the middle or off the edge depending on situation. He seems to utilize the swim move the most. That said, however, I am unsure how much key reading he does. When asked to coverage, I would advise him to not hesitate and be caught flat footed: commit to either the run or the pass. Lastly, Hamilton is a solid, full force-of-his-body type of tackler who should remember to say low when zeroing in for a tackle.
Edward Cooper Edward Cooper 5’11” | 205 lbs | LB South Hunterdon | 2025 NJ has been a prospect that does not seem to get the hype he deserves out of South Hunterdon. Cooper’s eyes appear to do a nice job of reading keys-to-flow. This allows Cooper to shoot the backside window, as he does this more than scraping over the top. Cooper could stand to improve his form-tackling and trust his keys, particularly when he reads pass.
A oft-forgotten small, Group I school out of the NJIC, Hasbrouck Heights deployed one senior linebacker who had a tremendous season: Joey Formisano Joey Formisano 6’2″ | 200 lbs | LB Hasbrouck Heights | 2024 NJ . Formisano makes solid reads from his linebacker position. He should continue to force the issue once he arrives in teh hole. He is quick to the point and agile enough to win in tight spaces. This translates to his ability to play the tip drill very nicely. Formisano is a bit of an enforcer at times, being physical with oncoming blockers as he takes them on with his shoulder. Two areas where Formisano can look to grow would be performing consistent shoulder tackles and in his pass drop. Open up, do not continually flip your hips, get to your spot drop in a hurry, and sit.
Scout’s Pick
After considering statistics and watching film, my vote for the 2023 Run-Stuffer of the Year goes to Christian Magliacano Christian Magliacano 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 NJ . How do our followers and fans feel? Do you agree? Let your voice be heard by commenting on my Twitter.