PRZ Next New Jersey Camp: Quarterback Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the PRZ Next Middle School Camp at the Superdome in Waldwick, New Jersey this past weekend, it's time to begin highlighting some of the prospects from the camp. The 2028 quarterbacks below made their presence known in front of a collection of scouts, media members and college/high school coaches. Here's a look at some of the top signal callers from the camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other writeup's from camp:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/class-of-2029-2030-standouts-from-new-jersey-prz-next-camp/"><strong>Class of 2029/2030 Standouts</strong></a></em>&nbsp;<strong>|&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/prz-next-new-jersey-camp-running-back-standouts/">Running Back Standouts</a></em> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/scouts-notebook-running-backs-from-prz-nexts-new-jersey-camp/"><em>Scout's Notebook – RB</em></a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/prz-next-new-jersey-camp-offensive-line-standouts/"><em>Offensive Line Standouts</em></a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/scouts-notebook-offensive-line-from-prz-nexts-new-jersey-camp/"><em>Scout's Notebook – OL</em></a>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/prz-next-new-jersey-camp-defensive-line-standouts/">Defensive Line Standouts</a></em> |&nbsp;<em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/scouts-notebook-defensive-line-from-prz-nexts-new-jersey-camp/">Scout's Notebook – DL</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/prz-next-new-jersey-camp-defensive-back-standouts/">Defensive Back Standouts</a></em> | <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/scouts-notebook-defensive-backs-from-prz-nexts-new-jersey-camp/">Scout's Notebook – DB</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/prz-next-new-jersey-camp-athlete-and-linebacker-standouts/">ATH./Linebacker Standouts</a></em> | <em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/scouts-notebook-linebackers-from-prz-nexts-new-jersey-camp/">Scout's Notebook – LB</a></em>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="http://xn--scout's%20notebook%20%20quarterbacks%20from%20prz%20next's%20new%20jersey%20camp%20scout's%20notebook%20%20quarterbacks%20from%20prz%20next's%20new%20jersey%20camp%20%20brendan%20mankarious%20%20january%2029-zq68knc82p/">Scout's Notebook – QB</a></em>&nbsp;| </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Lead Dawg</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["972082"],"_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 will honestly, fully admit that the position I dislike watching the most at camp, is quarterbacks. The position group typically has the most athletes signed up, and with upwards of eight of them throwing at the same time, on u003cemu003ebothu003c/emu003e sides of the field, it's a lot to take in. With all of that said, the quarterbacks at this camp were actually a treat to watch, headlined by Gilardi. He's a prospect that I've seen a few times during his pre-high school career and this was unquestionably the sharpest he has has looked. At 6-foot-1 and 142-pounds, he looks like a quarterback getting ready to do some special things on the high school level. I've said it in previous writeups about Gilardi, but his calming presence is unique for this age. He's a business-first quarterback who does a great job of standing tall in the pocket, but does not lock his knees at point of release. Shifts his weight very well, and doesn't over stride which is a big reason he stays so balanced throughout his motion. Coming into camp, I figured he'd be in the running for MVP, but glad to see he earned it in the eyes of several coaches and evaluators.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3c51e6f0f4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Headliners</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["972881"],"_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":"Zack Karelis was a walk-up at the New Jersey Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp, and I was glad to see the Union County native compete in person. It was a bit of a crazy eighth-grade season for Karelis. The righty started the year summer for the Brick City Lions before returning back to his hometown Summit Hilltoppers, and ultimately earning an All-Star nod in the NJSYFL All-Star Game. Karelis showed up bigger and with more lean muscle than I thought he would have, at 5-foot-9 and 151 pounds, but was still one of the shorter quarterbacks to earn some praise. To me, the biggest take away from Karelis at camp was his ball placementu002du002dhe was u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003everyu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e accurate. Did a great job of deciphering when to put some air under the ball to let his receivers run underneath, or when to pin a dart on his guys. I also got the sense that he's a pretty savvy, cerebral quarterback that quickly built a rapport with the receivers at camp and knew how to play to their strengths, too. For what it's worth, his dad played at the University of Virginia in the late 90's, so he's blessed to have the gift of genetics on his side as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["751653"],"_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":"If you've been following along with the top performers from the New Jersey Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp, it's evident to see that many of the standouts from the New Jersey AYF 14U All-Stars took care of business at the camp. Zymere Weaver was absolutely no exception, who measured in at 6-foot-2 and 171 poundsu002du002dwhich was up 11 pounds from September. One of the kids that I've seen play most out of anyone in the state, this was the best I've seen him throw the ball. Granted, this was the first time I've seen him throw without pads onu002du002dbut the ball came out much better and more accurately. He was mum on where he's going to high school at this point, but whatever school gets Weaver is getting a very good athlete. Also a standout on the basketball court, the multisport athlete confirmed what's evident watching him playu002du002dhe can move. His 5.o in the forty was the second best amongst quarterbacks and his 8'1u0022 in the broad jump placed him second. With his body type there is room to improve arm strength, but that should come with dedication to the weight room and physical maturation. Weaver should garner plenty of college attention throughout his high school career and checks a lot of the boxes in terms of athleticism and potential at the quarterback position.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["843330"],"_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":"Attending his second Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp, Bryce Longo stood out for a second year in a row. Measured in at 6-foot-1 and 171 pounds, looking the part of a quarterback that will become a household name in New Jersey high school football over the next four years. When I asked him, he said he wasn't sure yet, but the North Haledon native has narrowed his choices down to DePaul Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, Saint Joseph Regional and Passaic County Techu002du002d-all but Passaic County Tech had coaches working the camp. The positives of Longo's game remain the same from a year ago and what I saw on his regular season tapeu002du002darm strength. Throws the ball with great confidence and trusts his arm to deliver the ball in even the tightest of windows. He was arguably the most physically developed Garden State quarterback in attendance with a really strong looking frame, evident by a position-best 8'3u0022 in the broad jump. One thing that jumped out to me on both his seventh and eighth-grade film, was his ability to extend the play with quick movements to find space to make a throw. That was personified at camp by notching a position-best 4.35 in the shuttle, mimicking the exact sudden start and stop movements quarterbacks make while scrambling to look for those throwing lanes.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3c51e6f1d4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Standing On Business</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["992349"],"_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 Bryce Longo above, another returning quarterback that did a nice job was Pennsylvania's Anthony Smith.  Smith, who lives less than hour from Pittsburgh, made the trip to North Jersey and showed off the same powerful arm he did last year. I hadn't seen Smith play live since last May and he looked ready for the challenge of high school footballu002du002dhaving shot up two inches and putting on 10 pounds of good weightu002du002dnow up to 6'0 and 180 pounds. Threw the ball with some serious zip on it, specifically on balls up the seem. The future Southmoreland Scottie also clocked a 5.22 in the forty, which was a top three time at the position.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1161279"],"_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":"Hailing from Upper Township in Cape May County, Becker made the two-plus hour roadtrip up nearly the entire coastline of New Jersey to compete at the camp. He was a quarterback I was very interested in seeing play live, as I just got done watching his film from this past season in the days leading up to camp. Seeing him in a live setting confirmed what I saw on filmu002du002dhe's a winner with dual-threat ability. Great build, good speed, and has that winning u0022IT' factor. His performance at camp showed off exactly why his team finished 10-0 this season, including a 24-0 shutout in the Cape Atlantic Junior Football League championship game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1161281"],"_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":"New York was very well-represented at the New Jersey Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp and Brandon Hunter was certainly one of the top 2028's from the Empire State.  In my eyes, the Long Island native was the most athletic quarterback in attendance and it was by a decent margin, too. Incredibly dynamic prospect with speed and quickness for days. The only quarterback to run two sub 5.0 forties, he had the best time of the day with a 4.65. What's scary is that he's an even better basketball player, already playing varsity as an eighth-grader for Bay Shore High School.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b3c51e6f2ae"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Best Of The Rest</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania native Luke Myers did some nice things at camp. One of the smaller quarterbacks there at 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, he made some nice decisions on when to make the throw. Has considerable room to improve in several areas of his game, led by arm strength, speed and physical development. Time will tell here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Upstate New York native [player_tooltip player_id='1084758' first='Dominick' last='Sgambellone III'] made the trip down to North Jersey for his third Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp. It's crazy the difference a few months can make, as Sgambellone is a good four inches taller than when I saw him last. Made some improvements in his game and plays the position like a point guard, getting the ball to his playmakers quickly and letting them get busy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another prospect that has attended several Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camps, Eric Beach looked the best he has. Looks to have sharpened up on some mechanics. Up to 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds and also turned in one of the better times in the shuttle at 4.47--twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I was one of several people who thought Vincent Rossi has quite the upside. The Northern Valley Old Tappan prospect showed off a strong arm on shorter and intermediate routes. Projecting it forward, I'm not sure if he stays at quarterback long term because of his athleticism can be used elsewhere on the field. His older brother ([player_tooltip player_id='345431' first='Nicholas' last='Rossi']) is an All-County running back/linebacker in the 2025 class and I see a lot of similarities between the two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Massachusetts native Spencer Brown has some intrigue, measuring in at 5-foot-11 and 135 pounds. He'a tall and thin, which doesn't translate to having the most arm strength in the world, but I liked the way he moved around on the field. I'm not sure where he fits long term--his quarterback play was suspect, but he moves around pretty well and looks fairly athletic. I'd be interested seeing him as a free safety</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- North Brunswick's [player_tooltip player_id='1165643' first='Jamie' last='Marin III'] did a decent job at camp. Measurables don't wow at this point, at just 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds but the ball got to its intended target more times than not. Needs to develop strength in shoulder, core and trunk so he doesn't get himself off balance when trying to put a little extra mustard on his passes. Has received interest from some of the top private high schools in the state. We'll watch how this plays out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Rounding out the list, [player_tooltip player_id='1165645' first='Justin' last='Spellman'] is a quarterback out of Newark with a sizeable upside. He's a 6-foot, 156-pound prospect with obvious nice size and long arms. Watching him at the New Jersey Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp, he's an incredibly raw prospect. There's not much in terms of fundamentals to stand on, but there are physical pieces to work with. I'm interested to see what some advanced coaching could bring out of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->