PRZ Next New Jersey Camp: Wide Receiver Standouts
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After the PRZ Next Middle School Camp at the Superdome in Waldwick on Jan. 21st, we conclude our coverage by highlighting some of the top prospects from the camp. The 2028 wide receivers below made their presence known in front…
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Continue ReadingAfter the PRZ Next Middle School Camp at the Superdome in Waldwick on Jan. 21st, we conclude our coverage by highlighting some of the top prospects from the camp. The 2028 wide receivers 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 pass-catchers from the camp.
Other writeup’s from camp:
The Lead Dawg
I first saw Nosym Brown Nosym Brown 5’9″ | 150 lbs | ATH Bergen Catholic | 2028 NJ at a camp two years ago when he was in sixth grade and it was obvious he had some ability back then. Fast forward two PRZ Next camps and multiple other scouting opportunities later, and Nosym Brown Nosym Brown 5’9″ | 150 lbs | ATH Bergen Catholic | 2028 NJ has become one of the top two-way prospects in New Jersey for the class of 2028. A walkup at camp, Brown turned in an MVP performance at the Wide Receiver position–a performance that won’t be forgotten any time soon. At 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, the springy prospect made dozens–literally dozens–of jaw-dropping moves throughout the day. Electric speed and agility is putting it lightly. Literally, nobody at the camp had a better showing during the combine portion of the day. Brown recorded the best forty time at camp with a 4.72, and best broad jump at camp with an 8’11”. Further cementing his dominance, he also notched best shuttle time (4.12) and L-Drill (7.72) of all the receivers. Following the combine testing, he made some of the best 2028 defensive backs in the Northeast look mundane at times. Elite route running, hands and breathtaking agility. I’m not sure how he did it, but a kid I already though the world of on the field, managed to raise his stock even higher.
The Headliners
Up until the Prep Redzone Next New Jersey Middle School Camp I thought of Cusimano as almost exclusively a defensive back prospect. However at camp, the 5-foot-10, 145-pounder showed off a ton of skill and ability on the offensive side of the ball, as a wide receiver. The benefits of selecting the right camps to attend go deep, but being able to see Cusimano fly around the field in close proximity really made me stop and take note. I knew he had ball skills and a finesse side to his well-balanced game, but watching him crisply break off routes, he showed off a significantly more technical side to his game. He was able to get in and out of his break very quickly. Did not round off his routes, nor did he lose speed by moving too much approaching his breaks. Cusimano also showed the ability to shake a defender in close range. I still think defense is where he’ll ultimately end up, but the kid can play offense too. Since camp, he recently announced that he will be attending Delbarton for high school. The Green Wave got a good one here.
Highlights
One of several New York prospects to have a fantastic showing at the Prep Redzone Next New Jersey Middle School Camp, Mekhi Mike made a lasting impression on me. Mike made the trip from upstate New York and the Christian Brothers Academy prospect did not disappoint. Mike came with a really strong, good-looking build that caught my eye when were introduced, before camp even started. At 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, he looked very quick in drills. While his combine testing scores were good, all within the top five of the position leader, he looked better in drills than some of his times may indicate. Showed off good explosion and acceleration after catching balls. I specifically think his skill set fits that of a slot receiver or running back. Sudden bursts and ability to wiggle and shake free, on par or better than anyone else at the camp.
Highlights
Wide Receiver Amari Jones Amari Jones 5’10” | 150 lbs | WR Seton Hall Prep | 2028 NJ was back for a second Prep Redzone Next Middle School Camp and he again separated himself from the pack. Jones, walkup at camp, came in much bigger and more physically advanced than he was a year ago, up to 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds. Has turned the corner from long, skinny kid that can catch well to a bonafide 2028 wide receiver prospect to know. Loved what I saw from him during the 1-on-1 portion of camp. Caught the ball away from his body and had excellent body control. Once he was able to get a step on the defender, he was able to stride out to create separation on his route. In addition to what he did in live action, he also tested very well. Out of all the receivers, he finished tied for second in the shuttle with a 4.25 and the third best forty time in the wide receiver group with a 4.82. Furthermore, he finished with the second-best broad jump of anyone at the camp with an 8’6″.
Highlights
Standing On Business
McNair showed up bigger than I thought he would be, at 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds. After a very good season for the Woodbury Steelers, he made the trip up to North Jersey and had himself a great day at camp. Used his length very well and created throwing windows for his quarterbacks. One of the bigger receivers at camp, he moved pretty well too–McNair was timed at a 4.91 in the forty.
Highlights
Making the trip up from the District of Columbia, Steven Lane cemented himself as a wide receiver prospect worth paying attention to in this 2028 class. Ahead of camp, we had him listed at 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, but he measured in two inches taller and five pounds heavier, at 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds. For being as long as he is, he moved incredibly well in small areas, even clocking an impressive 4.34 in the shuttle. Did a great job of high pointing the football and coming down with it. Lane has a lot of upside right now and is just starting to scratch the surface of what he’ll become.
Highlights
Coming off a season that was derailed by an injury and getting cleared just two weeks ahead of camp, Myers was a pleasant surprise at the Prep Redzone Next New Jersey Middle School Camp. The day before the camp he reached out and asked me if he was able to register in person at the camp, I told him yes and the rest is history. Myers had limited film from his seventh-grade season and was looking to use the camp as a springboard to open up some eyes around the state. At 5-foot-11 and 140 pounds, he did just that. Didn’t put up crazy combine testing numbers but he turned it on when it mattered most. The Roselle native could be a player that sneaks up on some people.
Highlights
The Best Of The Rest
– Making his second appearance at a Prep Redzone Next New Jersey Middle School Camp, Brian Gottlieb-Chew Brian Gottlieb-Chew 5'8" | 140 lbs | ATH NJ has worked himself into a player to get familiar with. Ultimately, I think he’s better served listed as an ATH because he ran the ball a lot this season in North Burlington and plays defense well, too. Either way, he looks like reformed prospect up to 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds. Standing out the most to me was the improvement in his lower body strength, as he was one out of only eight kids to break the 8-foot mark on the broad jump.
– Chris Smith Jr. Chris Smith Jr. 5'7" | 140 lbs | ATH Bergen County | 2028 NJ out of West Orange was another prospect who made the most out of his opportunity at the camp. The 5-foot-7, 140-pounder was one I had an eye on coming into camp because of his regular season success. Smith Jr. is the definition of an ATH, playing every skill position on the field. He came to Prep Redzone Next New Jersey Middle School Camp as a wide receiver and somewhat quietly, did a good job. Gave up a lot of size, but the NJSYFL All-Star showed he belongs in conversations about top weapons in New Jersey for the class of 2028.
– A regular season teammate of Steven Lane down in Maryland, wide receiver Jaiden Wooden was a new name and face to me. Man, he looked very good at times, measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds. The height and weight combination was a good one, having a nice frame to add on to. He moved very well with a 4.97 in the forty and a 4.66 in the shuttle–both were among the top 1/3 of wide receivers at camp.
– Rounding out the wide receivers that stood out at the Prep Redzone Next New Jersey Middle School Camp is Alec Butunoi. Butunoi, a Newtown, Pa. native, consistently made plays during the camp. His 6-foot, 155-pound frame is certainly a place to start when looking at him. When looking at the combine testing numbers, he was in the lower half for all wide receivers–specifically in speed. However, on at least three reps I watched during 1-on-1’s he was able to run underneath a ball thrown a bit far. Must get more explosive and improve athleticism, but he’s a kid that could blossom over the next four years.