AVC Football Camp: Centers and Offensive Tackles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, June 2, 2024 I had the privilege to cover Fairleigh Dickinson University Head Football Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAVC_FDU">Anthony Van Curen</a>‘s Football Camp, hosted on the beautiful campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University at Madison. Simply put, this event was a absolutely awesome. In the midst of a very popular camp weekend where locally both Rutgers and Marist hosted competing camps, Van Curen managed to host over 500 prospects, roughly 65 colleges, well over 150 college coaches, and just one member of the media – me – who will be bringing you the exclusive media coverage of the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My exclusive coverage of the event continues with this piece on positional analysis of the group mentioned in the article's title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positional Breakdown: Centers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making the trip up from Atlantic County's Oakcrest High School, center [player_tooltip player_id='1300092' first='Jefferson' last='Samuels'] looks to plant his stake in the ground as one of his area's top centers. I would describe Samuels as quick in tight spaces. This ability to shift directions allowed him to stay in front of most of his matchups. Additionally, he brought his body and stayed chest-to-chest with his matchup as he worked to refit his hands..... Brooklyn's Omar Bertrand represented for his borough. The Eagle Academy for Young Men product showed how strong he is in moments. Bertrand did an excellent job withstanding some of the most aggressive, exaggerated rips throughout the afternoon. Rather than allowing his matchup to rip through their ear, Bertrand kept those ripping arms down while entangling his opponent without drawing a hold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Positional Breakdown: Offensive Tackles</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making the trip from Ramsey was [player_tooltip player_id='1101263' first='Max' last='Hoerter'], a rising sophomore. The 6'3" prospect did a nice job alternating between his kick step and powering down. I particularly liked his ability to power down. His feet were light-yet-powerful and also quick to get his body in position to obstruct his matchup's path. I would, however, urge Hoerter to work on his flexibility as I thought he was playing a bit too high..... Another 2026 prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1185934' first='Bryan' last='Palamar'], out of Elizabeth, showed several positive traits. I first must commend Palamar for seeking out and receiving feedback between his reps. It seemed as though Palamar only improved as he took more and more spins. He did a nice job of vertically setting, splitting the crotch of his matchup, and recoiling his punch in pass protection. Palamar also did a good job of refitting his hands. For Palamar to continue to progress I implore him to trust his feet more, particularly his ability to power down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we close out with, probably, the event's best offensive line prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1300093' first='Peter' last='Donini'] of Delbarton. Donini has an extremely impressive frame as he measured in at 6'8". Additionally, he scored in the 85th, 88, and 99th percentiles for broad jump, pro agility, and 40-yard dash. With such athleticism and size, Donini had extremely long arms. I do not recall witnessing him even coming close to losing a matchup since long arms kept most matchups at bay. Aside from using said length, he had great hand positioning and hard punches. Donini is a prospect I cannot wait to watch on film this season and is, probably, a bonafide P5 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anthony Van Curen Football Camp Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/instant-reaction-anthony-van-curen-football-camp/">Instant Reaction</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-quarterbacks/">Top Combine Performances, Quarterbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-wide-receivers/">Top Combine Performances, Wide Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-running-backs/">Top Combine Performances, Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-tight-ends-amp-fullbacks/">Top Combine Performances, Tight Ends and Fullbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-offensive-linemen/">Top Combine Performances, Offensive Linemen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-defensive-linemen/">Top Combine Performances, Defensive Linemen</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-linebackers/">Top Combine Performances, Linebackers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-defensive-secondary/">Top Combine Performances, Defensive Secondary</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-combine-warriors-middle-schoolers/">Top Combine Performances, Middle School Athletes</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-the-offensive-eye-test/">College-Ready Bodies, Offense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-the-defensive-eye-test/">College-Ready Bodies, Defense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-running-backs-vol-i/">Positional Breakdown: Running backs, Volume 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/avc-football-camp-cornerbacks/">Positional Breakdown: Cornerbacks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->