Event Preview: Jersey Juice’s Must-See Defensive Gamebreakers
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Our event season rolls on. For the second year in a row Prep Redzone has been invited back this weekend to Coach T. Pajic’s Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase. Heading into the event, here are some of the defensive talent that I…
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Continue ReadingOur event season rolls on. For the second year in a row Prep Redzone has been invited back this weekend to Coach T. Pajic’s Jersey Juice Underclassman Showcase. Heading into the event, here are some of the defensive talent that I have already circled on my roster that I want to get a good look at.
Kameron White Kameron White 6’1″ | 170 lbs | DB Kingsway | 2025 NJ might be the king of Kingsway’s defensive backfield. White, a corner, does a nice job of attacking the ball once it is in the receiver’s possession. We see him claw, rip, and strip at it. White also appears to play the Dragon’s scheme by the book, following his rules and not being baited when challenged by route concepts that look to exploit him. He also has the ability to defend taregets both over the top and underneath. As a force player White does his job in preventing huge plays from springing along the perimeter. Balance when breaking and tackling are some things White could cue in on this offseason.
Eastern Regional’s Aidan Travaglini Aidan Travaglini 6’2″ | 210 lbs | DL Eastern Regional | 2025 NJ is a defensive end prospect who could have a big showing. On film we see that Travaglini does a nice job extending his hands and defending his side of the field before pursuing when backside. Cut off blocks appear to be something Travaglini recognizes well and is able to defeat with relative ease. As a 4i he can absorb down blocks without getting relinquishing much ground and working across the face of that block. Travaglini can continue to ascend as his hand utilization improves.
Highlights
It is rare that linebackers include so many clips of themselves in coverage on their film. Cameron Bailey Cameron Bailey 6’2″ | 215 lbs | LB Notre Dame | 2025 NJ bucks this trend. Asked to cover #2 in the slot, the Notre Dame product does not allow any cheap & easy releases and also interrupts timing routes in the process. Keeping up with his theme of handsiness, he also clogs passing lanes well and tips more than his share of passes. When in movement Bailey packs a great punch, establishing himself as an outstanding tackler who wraps and drives his feet to deliver power, as well as consistently tackling with the correct leverage. Bailey engages with offensive linemen when blitzing, but has yet shown the tendency to lock out and shed them should they get to him at the second level. Bailey’s game and stock will improve as he focuses on loosening up his hips over the next several months before his senior season.
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Another linebacker blessed with size is a Keystone State import, Bangor to be exact, Tim McLain Tim McLain 6’3″ | 205 lbs | LB Bangor | 2025 State PA . McLain faithfully takes his read steps as he diagnoses and shifts over to the hole. When he sees the gap clearly he accelerates full speed and with solid explosion. A hustler, he will chase the ball carrier from sideline-to-sideline. In terms of tackling, McLain makes it a point of emphasis to pound on quarterbacks when he gets a fred shot on them. McLain should look to include more clips of pass coverage on his tape and lead with his shoulder when tackling. As a sniffer on offense he does a good job blocking with correct head placement.
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Justin Silva Justin Silva 6’1″ | 170 lbs | DB Southern Regional | 2025 NJ from Southern Regional is a prospect that has been on my radar for some while now. The safety has a good backpedal that he utilizes to see things in front of him and keep them in front of him. Silva has shown that he prefers to play the body of a receiver in hopes to dislodge the ball. When in a 2 over 1 backside set, Silva is awfully aggressive, driving on the slant hard. Silva looks to wrangle up ball carriers by tackling low and getting downhill into the alley in a hurry. I need to see Silva stick to his backpedals with more fidelity on a down-to-down basis. Doing so will allow him to get better breaks on the ball, more consistently.
Hammonton’s Ethan Peterson Ethan Peterson 6’0″ | 175 lbs | DB Hammonton | 2026 NJ was a prospect who played varsity as a sophomore. Taking advantage of a run-heavy scheme, Peterson will lull defenders to sleep to gain a step when his quarterback looks to go deep; he is capable of making one-handed grabs. Primarily a safety, Peterson tackles low and wraps. As he gains more size and strength in the coming offseasons, expect more pop to his tackles. Peterson has shown the ability to run with tight ends who cross the field. Peterson fills the alley by setting a hard endge, which prevents team from going outside of him. An improved backpedal will aid Peterson, as well as truncating his film to a shorter length.