Returning Contributors: The Passaic County Tech Bulldogs Skills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been quite the run the last severals season for PCTI. A tremendous class of 2024 is set to graduate in June with a combine record of 24-4 record the last two years and two consecutive North, Group V championships under their belt that includes a 13-0 start this season. Unfortunately both times the Bulldogs were stymied in the Group V State Championship game against eventual champion Toms River North. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With loads of talent now off their depth chart, how will PCTI look to get over the proverbial "hump" this year, and accomplish the hardest thing to do in our sport? They will be looking to the following set of players to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187348"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1187348' first='Jose' last='Echevarria'] might be the way-t0-early projected starter at quarterback for the Bulldogs. Coming off his junior season Echevarria complete both his pass attempts while rushing 5 times for 33 yards. He also was credited with 3 tackles on the year. Echevarria profiles as a patient runner who sets up over-aggressive defenders who are over pursuing him as the ball carrier. Defensively we see Echevarria fight reach blocks effectively when he is stunted into the gap. In a few clips of his we see him u003cemu003enearly u003c/emu003eget home to the quarterback. It would to be his benefit to match the hand of the quarterback when he is unable to get home.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e767485c6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/6543e31c57eb82b664e0d610/Jose%20Echevarria%20Junior%20Year","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e767486c0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["994290"],"_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":"On a roster loaded with seniors, defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='994290' first='Joel' last='Perez'] was a junior who managed to crack the lineup and contribute in a big way. Last fall Perez made 55 tackles (39 solos), 1 TFL, 1 FF, 2 FR, and 5 Ints - one of which was an pick-six. The first thing that pops out on film about Perez is that he has a penchant for dislodging and disrupting the ball. Either by leading with his shoulder when tackling or getting handsy with an incoming pass attempt, Perez forces his teammates to engage in the tip drill and the scoop-and-score drill. Discipline is also a part of his game too, as we see him stay in his zone when receivers vacate and opens up his hips to the correct leverage he must play. Perez does play back in coverage a bit; however, this is fruitful as he does not let anyone get behind him. Lastly, Perez does a nice job of tacking with the correct leverage and does not peek inside too often. Perez's film would be even more impressive should he include clips of him driving on the ball and clips of him against common passing concepts.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e76748740"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/6501000f7e261edce076b984/Joel%20Perez","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e76748765"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187350"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1187350' first='Jaz'Maar' last='Graham'] is a linebacker prospect who looks to replace three multi-year starters. Graham accelerates very quickly and gains zeroing speed in a hurry. He also looks to tackle low, which is a must for linebackers. On tape he seems like an athlete who has some length to his frame - perhaps this is why he has shown the ability to knife through near the line of scrimmage. Graham can add on to his 25 tackle (12 solo) and 1 tackle for loss spell role should he continue to trust his keys and get more comfortable in his pass drops.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e767487d3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/656b5ce99453cbd00a145418/Jaz'maar%20Graham","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e767487f5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187351"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1187351' first='Jayden' last='Santiago'] is an interesting defender for the Bulldogs. Although he made just 7 tackles (3 solo), 1 forced fumble, Santiago is a player that we see line up as an edge player, corner back, safety, and receiver. Santiago lines up off the edge in pass rushing situations and is able to create pressure at the last moment. When in the secondary and taking a drop, we see that he tackles through the body of the offensive player - particularly at safety where he seeks to lay his body on some body. However, what caught my eye about Santiago's film was his blocking when line dup at wide receiver. Santiago seems to understand that the little things in a play are what help his team prevails and takes his opportunities seriously. It will be interesting to see where the Bulldogs line up Santiago next year, but having a serious gains from PCTI's speed, strength, and conditioning program will enable him to continue to be a piece that gets moved around.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e76748865"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/652c81528ac011375b4523fc/Jayden%20Santiago%20midseason%20film%20","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e76748888"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187352"],"_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":"Closing out today's evaluation is the Bulldogs only freshman to crack the lineup in 2023, [player_tooltip player_id='1187352' first='Ian' last='McDuffie']. Although there is not any film available on McDuffie, we do know that he came on very late in the season to make an impact. Registering his first varsity snaps u003cemu003ein the playoffsu003c/emu003e, he appeared in the Bulldogs home playoff games against Bayonne and Union, impacting the game on both sides of the ball. Although he rushed just 3 times for 23 yards (with a long of 15 yards) and made 2 solo tackles, the fact that he got the call up to the big leagues in do-or-die games indicates to me that he is a prospect who should be on our radar entering 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d4e767488f5"} /-->