Five Names To Watch At The Start Of the Season

[player_tooltip player_id='1546502' first='Joey' last='Sommer'], a six-foot, 170-pound wide receiver and cornerback, primarily excels as a wide receiver. Watching his tape, there's a lot to like about Joey. First and foremost, his size. He has a tall, lanky build, perfect for utilizing a large catch radius. His standout trait is his ability to track the ball deep and make plays down the field. Additionally, he has great concentration, even when defenders drape over him.   From watching Joey's current game film to his 7-on-7 highlights, there's a noticeable improvement in how he transitions in and out of routes. This is the biggest area he needs to work on, becoming a more smooth, violent, and explosive receiver. His 7-on-7 highlights show glimpses of this progress. I'm very excited to see what Joey does this upcoming season. He might even perform well enough to earn himself an offer.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JoeySommer11/status/1810716506168143887 </div></figure>      [player_tooltip player_id='606231' first='Nakeem' last='Powell'], now at Winslow after starting his high school career at Hammonton, is a 5'11”, 175-pound athlete who lines up at multiple positions and consistently makes plays. Primarily, he excels as a wide receiver, running back, and cornerback. He possesses great speed, exceptional open-field ability, and outstanding athleticism.   In his highlights, you see him skying over defenders to make spectacular catches and showcasing his solid contact balance with impressive yards after the catch. He exhibits great burst, speed, and acceleration as a running back. He has the total package of movement with the ball in his hands, making him a constant big-play threat.   Additionally, as a cornerback, he demonstrates solid make-up speed. This trait separates the good cornerbacks from the great ones. Nakeem recently earned his first offer from Syracuse. Once the season starts, I believe he'll secure more offers. He's poised for a breakout season that will put him on the map as one of New Jersey's top players and overall weapons.      [player_tooltip player_id='1698990' first='Travon' last='Chardonet'], a 6'0”, 165-pound defensive back, excels at outside corner. In addition to his defensive prowess, he also makes impact plays on special teams. He has solid coverage reps on tape as a cornerback, showcasing good speed and smooth hips.   His tape highlights a nice speed turn where he successfully secured a pass breakup. With long arms and good length, he effectively disrupts passing lanes. Travon is still an up-and-coming name due to limited film, but he recently received an offer from Syracuse.   This buzz and notoriety heading into his junior year position him as one of the top cornerback prospects in his class. Travon is set to demonstrate his potential and skill this upcoming season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/travonchardonet/status/1726630755940606053 </div></figure>     Joseph White stands out as a 6'6”, 245-pound offensive tackle. His tape highlights his offensive capabilities while playing on the defensive line. Joseph's most obvious advantage is his size, complemented by his long arms.   However, what truly separates him is his athleticism. He's one of the more athletic offensive linemen you'll find. Although the position isn't entirely natural, his natural athleticism allows for quick adjustments. Once he adds more weight and refines his technique, Joseph will undoubtedly be one of the top prospects in his class, especially with two more years to develop.   Interestingly, Joseph's build resembles an edge rusher, so a full-time switch wouldn't be surprising. Despite this, he has already earned a preliminary offer from Syracuse. This level of recognition ensures he will have many eyes on him this year. We're excited to see how Joseph separates himself from his class.      [player_tooltip player_id='1530239' first='Ishmal' last='Thompson'] is a 6'3”, 250-pound powerhouse from Jackson Memorial. Positioned on the interior defensive line, he consistently demonstrates traits that stand out. His initial burst is remarkable. His first step off the ball, whether in run defense or pass rushing, is explosive.   This quickness allows him to create havoc on the field. Last season, he recorded five sacks and a fumble recovery. Another aspect of Ishmal's game is his ability to neutralize blocks. He overwhelms offensive linemen with ease. His stout, thick frame is perfect for withstanding double teams and being strong at the point of attack.   While his run defense is impressive, I want to see his sack total rise. Reaching around ten sacks would mark significant progress. Ishmal's ability to neutralize blocks and penetrate in the run game is solid. However, taking the next step as a dominant pass rusher is crucial.   Given his talent, Ishmal is poised to become a force. He's a name to watch and an early offer candidate. His potential suggests he can dominate this upcoming season.