Event Recap: Scout’s Notebook – Jersey Juice Running Backs
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Our event coverage of Jersey Gridiron Scout‘s Jersey Juice Underclassman College Showcase, presented by Coach T. Pajic continues. Coverage will disclose my notes taken on each individual taken while on-site only. These breakdowns are solely from my subjective on-site observations. They…
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Continue ReadingOur event coverage of Jersey Gridiron Scout‘s Jersey Juice Underclassman College Showcase, presented by Coach T. Pajic continues. Coverage will disclose my notes taken on each individual taken while on-site only. These breakdowns are solely from my subjective on-site observations. They do not take into consideration film, highlights, or anything else.
This article features miscellaneous thoughts and musings regarding the position group mentioned in the article’s title.
Incase you missed any event coverage, here are the articles currently published related to the Jersey Juice Underclassman College Showcase.
Jersey Juice Event Coverage
Scout’s Notes: Running Backs
For the second year in a row I saw Holy Spirit’s Jahcere Ward Jahcere Ward 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Holy Spirit | 2025 NJ … and for the second season in a row I made the same initial thought: this kid should be a guard. As the morning turned to afternoon, however, I saw more and more what makes Ward a matchup weapon on offense. For a young man his size ward has extremely nimble, quick, and light feet. This allowed him to make shifty cuts, navigate tight spaces, and create separation. Although I am not sure where colleges will peg him on their depth carts, Ward is a unique physical specimen….. I caught a few glimpses of Triton Regional’s tailback Ryan Morley Ryan Morley 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Triton | 2025 NJ . The first time I spotted him was in a pass protection drill where I witnessed Morley absolutely sell out and put forth his maximum effort in each rep. One bit of feedback that he received from his position coach was to remain balanced – which he immediately applied to his next spin. When the event transitioned to 1-on-1’s, Morley did an excellent job catching the ball, repeatedly winning for balls that were up for grabs…..
I think I might have just found the state’s best two-headed monster running back tandem in the backfield. Myquan Rush Myquan Rush 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Barnegat | 2025 NJ and Johnnel Johnson Johnnel Johnson 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Barnegat | 2026 NJ , both from Barnegat, were equally outstanding and had very similar qualities – a testament to the points their coaches hammer home and emphasize, as well as their abilities to take coaching to heart and raise their games….. Heading into the camp I had the opportunity to watch Myquan Rush Myquan Rush 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Barnegat | 2025 NJ ‘s film beforehand so I had an idea of what to expect. He did not disappoint. Rush ran with very good pad level. This allows him to decrease his surface area for defenders to zero in on. Rush also demonstrated really good fit, which add to how well-and-how-quickly he can change direction. I would have said his base in pass protection was a bit too wide for my liking, but perhaps that might just be me being overly critical since he got the job done. I would describe his routes as akin to how former Yankees second baseman (sorry South Jersey Phillies fans) Robinson Cano would play ground balls: it looked effortless, but the play was always made….. Stride-for-stride with Rush was Johnnel Johnson Johnnel Johnson 5'9" | 200 lbs | RB Barnegat | 2026 NJ . Pad level and quick feet must be things that the Barnegat staff preaches because both were evident in either back. I felt that Johnson brought an added element in the passing game. He really went up and got the ball on more than one occasion. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, he did an outstanding job creating separation from defenders when he broke off his routes. This enabled Johnson to make numerous uncontested grabs. Comparatively speaking, I thought that Johnson secured the ball more habitually than Rush.