2027 Rankings Update: Scout Notes, Players 39-20

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are our team's quick notes for the aforementioned ranked players in New Jersey's class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#39: [player_tooltip player_id='1069062' first='Jaevon' last='Mitchell'], LB, Overbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Drifts closer to line of scrimmage than typical, hinders his time to read and react to his keys; when aligned correctly, he has space and sees thigns more clearly; low tackler who gator rolls very well; excellent in pursuit; trusts his speed to shoot gaps underneath and make tackles from the inside-out (as opposed to stringing to the sideline); perhaps the most aggressive player on defense - passed his mike backer to make play on sideline <em>away</em> from him</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#38: [player_tooltip player_id='379045' first='Isa' last='Thomas'], RB, Newark East Side</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has tremendous balance when running, will roll/swim/squirm out of tackles, also runs through contact; also has cutbacks and jump cuts in his arsenal; can stop and get back to top speed without much issues; typically withstands up to three hits before going down, difficult to take down; rocks/cradles the ball, need to see him apply 5 points of pressure or chin the ball</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#37: [player_tooltip player_id='910888' first='Nazeem' last='Hooker'], LB, Paramus Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tall, lean, and lanky defender; currently runs upright, but shows instances of hips at certain moments; pack pedals well; good tackler, does not need to go for big hit every time; does a good job setting the edge int he ally forcing stretch-type plays back to his inside help; with ball in his hands he cuts and changes directions well; very athletic and would not be surprised if WR is in his future; will light you up on specials if given the opportunity; reads pass much better than run from safety position</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#36: [player_tooltip player_id='205460' first='Kahden' last='Davis'], QB, Seton Hall Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Advanced in the fact that he seems to look off the secondary or go through at least two progressions; thick body, capable and willing to stand in the pocket and absorb a hit; similarly he can brek tackles and is difficult to take down at times; trusts himself to run, particularly step up, duck, and run; can throw with touch when rushing against his body; lower-half mechanics can improve to get more zip on the ball; ball distance is about 45 air yards; has to scramble and make plays often from his film; all placement can improve to allow receivers to accrue YAC</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#35: [player_tooltip player_id='437687' first='Bryan' last='Porter'], WR, Bergen Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Breaks off route when DB retreating too hard; catches with hands; arm tackles are in effective against him; will selflessly block and give max effort for teammates; routes can improve their break; can outrun and create separation once he breaks the stem of his route; good looking body; needs more film; unsure what level he is playing; has pedigree, brother is one of state's top WR in his class</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#34: [player_tooltip player_id='910090' first='Jaylen' last='Frias'], LB, St. Joseph Metuchen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-big-time-additions-from-the-watch-list-part-ii/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#33: [player_tooltip player_id='1287277' first='Kyle' last='Mercorelli'], QB, Hudson Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-big-time-additions-from-the-watch-list-part-ii/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#32: [player_tooltip player_id='910851' first='Joshua' last='Collier'], DB, Camden Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Catches with hands and does not slow down; played varsity; can jump high and beat taller opponents to the ball; willing to take a big hit and maintain security of the ball; tackles with appropriate leverage while also breaking down nicely; plays trail technique in coverage, playing the ball from the back to break up passes; fluid and fast when in cover 3 skate technique; evades blockers on the perimeter well; many clips in run support need some more in pass coverage</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#31: [player_tooltip player_id='415091' first='JT' last='Geraci'], TE, Don Bosco Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-ascending-prospects-making-the-biggest-jump-part-1/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#30: [player_tooltip player_id='531992' first='Connor' last='Long'], OL, Bergen Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tremendous upper body strength to toss someone when beat; has incredible size that allows him to win hinge blocks on 4is; will chop defenders who are lower than him down; defensively uses hands to shed blocks nicely; looks a little better on defense than offense right now (in my opinion); ability to bend and move in feet quickly will help in play with leverage and get his body into gaps more quickly</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#29: [player_tooltip player_id='1118248' first='Aiden' last='Davis'], TE, DePaul Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Out-muscled weaker opponents on the freshman level; has speed when running upfield; appears to have taken varsity snaps; defensively needs to focus on keys and alignment; clips show that he feels and fights pressure on defense - offseason strength program will enable him to win those blocks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#28: [player_tooltip player_id='857107' first='Nahjae' last='Smith'], WR, Elizabeth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-big-time-additions-from-the-watch-list-part-ii/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#27: [player_tooltip player_id='909380' first='Jonathan' last='Galette'], DB, St. Joseph Regional</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sure tackler, secures waist and rolls; if he cannot wrap the waist, gets low enough to trip defenders up; can run with, and suffocate, TEs in coverage; does not give up on big plays; need more clips of him covering WR/RB and how he defends skills vs. pass</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#26: [player_tooltip player_id='909278' first='Taylor' last='Daniels'], DB, Seton Hall Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-big-time-additions-from-the-watch-list-part-ii/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#25: [player_tooltip player_id='910872' first='Gabe' last='Palaganas'], DL, Washington Township</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-ascending-prospects-making-the-biggest-jump-part-1/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#24: [player_tooltip player_id='703169' first='Austin' last='Busso'], WR, Bergen Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gains a lot of ground with each stride he takes; hits a different gear at about 10 yards; sells double moves very hard, does not stop moving his feet; catches with hands; returner, follows and sets up slower-moving blockers effectively; comes back to ball nicely, can out jump teams in double coverage; can make a jump cut; not many footage of him breaking, evading tackles</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#23: [player_tooltip player_id='379050' first='Kyle' last='Wise'], ATH, St. Peter's Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Big bodied RB; takes just a moment to get his full head of steam going; safety who opens up his hips and runs well; jumps high and tackles too high; plays to the body of smaller receivers to break up passes - if not, will play the hands; needs to continue to follow his track when rushing rather than prematurely bounce</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#22: [player_tooltip player_id='121685' first='Dylan' last='Wrona'], QB, Don Bosco Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-ascending-prospects-making-the-biggest-jump-part-1/">READ ARTICLE</a></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#21: [player_tooltip player_id='910880' first='Luca' last='Saurman'], ATH, Pennington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Able to outrun everyone on a vert, even his QBs arm; uses stiff arm to gain extra yardage and his body to shield away defenders pathway to the ball; sets up blockers well; has served, and is willing to serve, as a lead blocker - likes to go for big hits but is more than capable of drive blocking, grabs cloth; defensively at safety reacts to the break of the ball, even when in man coverage, coming up and laying a solid hit; very sure tackler; sees and reads action clearly on defense; fills alley well; must tackle with correct leverage, use hands to catch, and improve route running; goes to play the body, never the ball</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#20: [player_tooltip player_id='852611' first='Isaiah' last='Alvarez'], WR, Don Bosco Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/2027-rankings-big-time-additions-from-the-watch-list-part-i/"><strong>READ ARTICLE</strong></a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->