Returning Contributors: The East Orange Jaguars Offensive Skills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always a talent-rich team, the East Orange Jaguars have been knocking on the door for a while now, finally kicking it down in 2021. Former Head Coach Rae Oliver got his taste of showmanship by riding off into the sunset with a 13-0 record and winning the North, Group V playoff bracket in an all-time thriller against Clifton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since then veteran New Jersey high school football coach, and influential leader of the state's coaches association, John Jacob - better known throughout the state as Jakes - has reigned in control. With records the last two years of 4-6 and 3-7, the Jaguars are a team on the prowl looking to pounce on a few early season victories to spur a playoff birth in 2024. Who exactly will they be leaning on to do so? Find out below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to catch up on my entire returning contributors series by clicking through on the link to the articles below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-piscataway-chiefs-skill-positions/">Piscataway Chiefs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-ridgewood-maroons-skills-line/">Ridgewood Maroons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-linemen/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-skills/">Westfield Blue Devils' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1032189"],"_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":"Although they are graduating their two leading rushers in their quarterback and tailback, the Jags are set to return their leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1032189' first='Shakur' last='Taylor']. Taylor, who was also third on the team in rushing yards last fall, slashed 28/154/2 on the ground and 49/1147/8 through the air, and made 39 tackles (17 solos) and 2 interceptions on defense. Of a quartet of wide receivers set to return this year, Taylor is the fastest. Along with his speed, we see that he is capable of turning on the jets and finding a second gear to burn defenders. Along with high pointing the ball and making grabs with his hands, Taylor is adept at winning the tip drill when balls are deflected. When running routes we see that Taylor gives a little shimmy and stutter fake to throw off the balance and/or leverage of those in coverage. Defensively we have seen Taylor line up in the secondary at both corner and safety. He has a fluid pack pedal and can also play skate technique well, avoiding ever being out positioned. For as much of a spark plug that Taylor is capable of being in all aspects of the game, he will find himself even more explosive and have college's drooling over him as his hip fluidity improves this offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2d03"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/65107cb49758834663ffcb55/Shakur%20Taylor%20Junior%20Szn%20Highlight%20Tape","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2dba"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1199939"],"_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='1199939' first='Ahkir' last='Morgan'] played second fiddle to Taylor's primary role within the offense. Last fall Morgan secured 22 catches and 4 touchdowns that generated 444 yards through the air. He also made 21 tackles (6 of which were solo), along with 1 tackle for loss. Morgan demonstrates a high degree of concentration when making grabs in touch situations. In traffic, particularly through defenders' failed attempts to deflect the ball, Morgan can come down with the ball through a gauntlet of flailing limbs. Akin to Taylor, Morgan also excels at coming up with the ball during the tip drill. When the pocket breaks down for his quarterback Morgan also seems comfortable in the hectic situation known as the scramble drill, finding a void space, sitting it in, and getting his quarterback's attention. It would aid Morgan's film to show some defensive clips, as well as more of his releases and route running.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2e19"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/650f8281e78d277b54629ed4/Ahkir%20Morgan ","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2e35"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1199938"],"_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='1199938' first='Alex' last='Hanks'] is the second 2026 wide receiver who cracked the Jaguars' lineup in a big way last fall. Hanks made 41 tackles on defense (10 solo), forced a fumble, and slashed 18/393/4 as a target. Aside from being the tallest receiver we are highlighting, Hanks has the skills to match. Hanks is something of a bully against lesser opponents, as he will fight and muscle through those who seem uninterested in tackling. In terms of making defenders miss Hanks will get low to have high tacklers fly over him or over pursue, as well as the stiff arm. Lastly, Hanks does an outstanding job applying five points of pressure to the ball. Hanks is also one of the Jaguars' deep return men. Defensively he has lined up in two spots: safety and linebacker. Being more instances of him at linebacker, he reads and pursues from the backside very well. He can correct poor angles mid-chase and nearly beat ball carriers to the edge when chasing to his side. Hanks can improve defensively by simply doing a more consistent job of latching onto and wrapping the ball carrier.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2eab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/651e034d8eeef3ea772517d9/Alex%20Hanks ","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2ecc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1199937"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eLast, but certainly not least, is [player_tooltip player_id='1199937' first='Isaac' last='Mathurin']. A 2025 graduate, Mathurin is back for one more go at it. Last fall he caught 12 passes for 163 receiving yards, rushed 5 times for 44 yards, and was credited with 2 tackles. Unfortunately I was unable to find any highlight film on Mathurin; however, he is a returning contributor who, as a senior, is looking to make a big impact for East Orange.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e67d11c2f18"} /-->