New Jersey PRZ Next Combine – Linebacker Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend the NJ/NYC PRZ Next Combine took place, and over 100 prospects in the classes of 2028-2030 took the field. It was one of the most deeply-talented middle school camps I have personally ever been to. Off the top of my head there were nearly two dozen athletes that currently project to the D1 level. Here's a look at the linebackers that stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MVP and Top Three</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1273787"],"_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 close competition, it was [player_tooltip player_id='1273787' first='Aveyon' last='Warfield'] that walked away with the Linebacker MVP award. Warfield was an eighth-grade prospect I was excited to see up close, given his 6-foot, 210-pound frame; Not to mention he's off to Glassboro High Schoolu002du002dwhich every college in America should be visiting. Fortunately, he did not disappoint in terms of ability either. He is a big, physical kid who looks the part as a Middle Linebacker. Moved well laterally and can clearly come downhill and pack a punch. Next year, he'll be a dream pairing with another former PRZ Next Middle School Camp MVP, 2027 MLB [player_tooltip player_id='431328' first='Tasheem' last='Butler'].","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1257685"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of several athletes hailing from Connecticut that had a nice day at camp, Gaughran was one of the top three Linebackers we saw at camp. Physically he passed the test right away. Impressive build with more than adequate muscle mass for the position. Really impressed by his agile feet and ability to change direction without taking a false step. On every drill or rep, he was on the balls of feet. Didn't lunge to make contact and played under control. On top of the on-field ability, in spending some time speaking with him, he's clearly a very intelligent young man too. Next year he'll be taking the train every day to New York, to play at Archbishop Stepniac.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1095979"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"While the other two Linebackers in the top three are clearly Middle Linebackers, [player_tooltip player_id='1095979' first='Chase' last='Winterborne'] rounds out the trio as more of an Outside Linebacker/Strong Safety type. This was the third time I've seen Winterborne play in a live setting since late Januaryu002du002deach time I really like what I see. Watching him flip his hips and not inadvertently wander into no-man's land during pass drop drills, was masterful. Head and shoulders above the other Linebackers in terms of overall athleticism. Played the game with a high IQ and was a good judge of when to get physical or when to use his speed and length to his advantage. Next year, he'll be making the trip from South Jersey to Philadelphia, to play at St. Joe's Prep.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664214398b8f8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Additional Standouts</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["969582"],"_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 year's Linebacker MVP at the spring PRZ Next Middle School event, Cancel had another very good showing at this past weekend's combine. I saw him play live in the SportzFarm tournament during Easter weekend and loved his physicality at the padded event. At the combine showing he did well in short distance drills, but did crossed up a bit during coverage drills. He's absolutely a Middle Linebacker and covering scat backs in the flat shouldn't typically be his normal responsibilities. However, with how big he is, continuing to work on his speed and quickness will be important. The talented Garden State Linebacker will be attending Moore Catholic in Staten Island, New York this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1273898"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Ahead of the PRZ Next Combine I had Torres on my list of Connecticut prospects to take a deeper look at this summer, but I luckily got an in-person opportunity this past weekend. In my original notes from before the combine, I had jotted down that Torres was a RB/LB, with my initial instincts being that he had a higher ceiling as a Linebackeru002du002dand that rang true. He looked very athletic and quick at the combine this past weekend. Pretty good build for this level and worked with a surgical technician's attention to detail. Extremely coachable young man, who was clearly there to get the most out of every rep. He'll be off to perennial powerhouse program, Cheshire Academy.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["323637"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It was kind of surreal seeing [player_tooltip player_id='323637' first='Nate' last='Walsh'] at his final Prep Redzone Next Middle School event, as the Pennsylvania prospect heads to high school in the fall. Having attended a PRZ Next Middle School camp every year since he was in sixth-grade, he continues to standout from the crowd. An  athletic kid who is extremely self-aware of the limitations that come with his shorter height, yet doesn't use it as an excuse or a crutch. He was probably the second best linebacker in terms of coverage, at the camp. He's really well-built and has some obvious full-body strength. In talking to him after the event, he's going to see what high school scene brings him, but he is u0022absolutelyu0022 open to making the move to Strong Safety. As I mentioned to him when spoke, Bob Sanders was the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and stood jut 5-foot-8. If he finds the right spot and situation, there's no reason to believe he can't play post-high school.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664214398b9a4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Best of the Rest</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1141049' first='Maddox' last='Mingucci']</strong> | <em>St. Joe's Metuchen</em> - Certainly an attention-grabber in terms of physical appearance with long arms, a muscular build and broad shoulders. Plays physical and moves decently in close-proximity. I've previously said a move to Defensive End may be for the better, and I stand firm on that. I truly feel if he makes the move, there's a boat load of potential here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1274004' first='Andrew' last='Gesumaria']</strong> | <em>Pope John</em> - A new name and face to me in this 2028 class, Gesumaria had some flashes of good Linebacker player. He's a barrel-chested kid with decent muscle mass and looks at home as Mike Linebacker. Athletically wasn't on the level as some of the other 'backers, but played aggressively throughout the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->