Returning Contributors: West Orange Mountaineers’ Linemen, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always in the mix, last year was more of the same for West Orange as they are practically a lock for the North Group V playoff bracket. Coming off of an 8-4 record and an sectional championship victory on the road in 2024, head Coach Darnell Grant's group were road warriors again. Last year at 5-5 the Mountaineers went on the road and defeated Plainfield in something of a rarity – a Friday night game under the lights at old Hub Stein Field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How will the Mountaineers fair in 2024? If history is an indicator they are going to be in serious contention,&nbsp;<em>especially&nbsp;</em>given the key pieces on their roster they are set to return. Here are some of those rising prospects to be aware of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-linemen/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Line</a></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/2024/03/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen-ii/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line, Part 2</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-linemen/">Clifton Mustangs' Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-defensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Defensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-linemen/">East Orange Jaguars' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-offensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Offensive 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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-linemen/">Hackensack Comets' 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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-linemen-2/">Linden Tigers' Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-linemen/">Montclair Mounties' Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-morristown-colonials-skill-positions/">Morristown Colonials' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-linemen/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' 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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-linemen/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-piscataway-chiefs-linemen/">Piscataway Chief's Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-plainfield-cardinals-linemen/">Plainfield Cardinals' Linemen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-plainfield-cardinals-skill-positions/">Plainfield Cardinals' 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 &amp; Line</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-skill-positions/">Union Farmers' Skills</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/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-watchung-hills-warriors-skills/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Skills</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":["994289"],"_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":"One of the most explosive, downhill, and aggressive player I have covered in this series is [player_tooltip player_id='994289' first='Eahjay' last='McAdams']. McAdams has lined up off the edge and at middle linebacker and was credited with 78 tackles (6 solo), 10 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 scoop-and-score last fall. McAdams does an outstanding job of timing the blitz, gaining a full head of steam, and is at his best when he is in motion before the ball is snapped. Exploding through the line, he is a blur for linemen who have their heads down and too fast for backs in pass protection to pick up. Aside from two levels of pass protection missing him, he sees and hits backside windows often without being touched. Offenses should think twice before trying to exploit his aggressiveness, as we see that he sniffs out and adjusts to running back screens on the fly very quickly. Perhaps what I appreciate about McAdams game the most is that he is a full speed, max effort type of player. Despite switching between the first two levels of West Orange's defense I currently have him listed as a defensive lineman in our class of 2025 rankings. Although I think he can play linebacker at the next level, the absence of clips of him in coverage are causing hesitancy for me. Adding these clips would go a long way in the mind of college recruiters.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a2610"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16859855/65497e9fb53ecb099c80daa6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a270e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216552"],"_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":"Another edge-type player, [player_tooltip player_id='1216552' first='Joshua' last='Heartwell'] played to the tune of 17 tackles (1 solo), 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks as a junior. Heartwell appears to have a burst into the backfield, which I attribute to his aggressive, deep first two steps that he takes upfield upon the snap. He occupies pullers by taking them on and working to close down, scraping to his inside gap. Another subtle thing that Heartwell does well is that he looks to engage with his matchup with his hands above his eyes. This gives him the upper hand in terms of controlling his matchup by controlling his leverage and being in better position to shed and make plays. On the same token, he routinely uses his hands. Connected, Heartwell's hand placement can improve. Rather than playing full-man, attacking a half-man will enable him to work matchups back more consistently and establish a new line of scrimmage with just 3-down linemen.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a2797"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16860620/65480af5688e3509744fad69' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a27bf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216551"],"_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='1216551' first='Darius' last='Brown'] is a prospect that I am in disbelief that he was only credited with 5 tackles (3 solo), 3 TFL, 2 sacks, and 1 FF from a year ago. My rationale begin with Brown's stance. In his stance he generates a great deal of power and explosion. Given his size, this also makes him a load to handle - particularly when slanting or playing the backside 4i. Gifted in the height department, Brown does his best to stay low throughout any given play. I would encourage Brown to keep his head on a swivel this coming season and become more aware of offensive tendencies such as read option and kick plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a2836"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18030703/65b1de49a680f417f0f9409a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a285b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216550"],"_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":"In a reserve role last year, [player_tooltip player_id='1216550' first='Savion' last='Carson'] made 2 tackles - 1 of which was a solo stop - while also managing to force a fumble. Carson is a bit of a penetrator who looks to knife himself upfield. He also offers situational versatility by lining up either as an edge lineman or a nose - often looping from the nose when line stunts are called. Carson makes light work of lazy matchups, disengaging with them easily. He also likes to use the swim move. My hope for Carson this year is to have a big offseason, adding strength to his frame. Doing so will enable him end up on the winning side of defenders who look to out-muscle him more times than not.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a28d0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16857440/6548f317b3d3030adccb0a92' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a28f5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1216549"],"_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":"Last up is the Mountaineers' true nose tackle, [player_tooltip player_id='1216549' first='Somto' last='Ndukwe']. Ndukwe's named was called for 9 tackles last fall (1 solo), 4 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 FR. A player I want to see more of, from the little bit of film I watched Ndukwe seems effective yet I cannot truly distinguish why. Centers clearly have a hard time handling him when he is in a 0 technique as Ndukwe often finds himself heading the same way as the play. Although he is listed at 225lbs, Ndukwe seems to play like a Sam Adams 340lb-type nose - extremely difficult to displace and flows to the play occupying blockers. When pass rushing we see Ndukwe's body bend low-to-high as he works his matchup backwards. I want to see Ndukwe use his hands more on defense. With his ability as a football player, if he adds this technique he will be able to walk denders back and improve upon his pressure keys.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a2983"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18003166/65540b2e3deac30ad49a1974' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0375a29ae"} /-->