2025 Rankings Update: Big-time Adds from the Watch List, Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Enjoy our newest rankings release. Use promo code “mankarious30” for 30% off your first subscription to Prep Redzone New Jersey.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As if they rose from the ashes like the Phoenix, there are prospects who seemingly come out of the woodwork. What differentiates this set of prospects from the rest is that from the ashes of the watchlist, they rose and are here to stay. Below are a handful of prospects that were watchlisted and, immediately upon film review, shot toward the top of our rankings for the class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f70c27"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829410"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f70d1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I caught up with Union City Head Coach, and State Sectional Champion, Wil Valdez at a camp this spring, I bluntly asked him how was [player_tooltip player_id='829410' first='Omar' last='Tillman'] not blowing up? The dialogue I will keep private between he and I; however we both agreed that he is the real deal. Film shows us that he is awfully quick, particularly when playing the option - allowing him the unique ability to play both the keep and the give simultaneously. Tillman also does a great job swimming low hats and stacking the heels of his matchup, while equally fighting the reach well. Against some opponents, we see Tillman absolutely knock back his matchup in the backfield, creating a bubble offenses must worry about. Disciplined when pass rushing, Tillman stops when he is at the quarterback's depth, as opposed to over setting, only to work back and pursue as he quarterback climbs in the pocket. Lastly, a patented trait of any Union City defensive edge player, Tillman spills by executing textbook wrong arms, rips, and u-turns like the Union City greats before him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Ranking: Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current State Ranking: 34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Positional Ranking: 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/656f4d0548540263caa14058/Omar%20Tillman%20Junior%20Year","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f71154"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/omartillman13/status/1792987978681254168","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/omartillman13/status/1792987978681254168 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["819153"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f71224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over my roughly year-and-a-half at Prep Redzone, [player_tooltip player_id='819153' first='John' last='Prokapus III'] is probably the one prospect I take the most joy in having watched his growth in a time lapse. I first met Prokapus on the 2023 camp circuit and saw a young boy with potential. Fast forward a year later and Prokapus has evolved into a young man with tremendous upside. You would be hard pressed to find a more athletic offensive lineman in the state, as he registered a 107" broad jump, 4.53 pro agility, and a 4.69 forty yard dash. Film shows that at his guard spot he works well in tandem on inside zone plays, giving the down-lineman just enough of a shove for his center to comfortably overtake; relatedly, on duo-type plays, Prokapus works double teams very well. The mark of any good offensive lineman, Prokapus works to extend and works his opponent upward off of his feet. Perhaps what Prokapus' most redeeming trait might be how well he moves laterally. This enables him to slide protect, power down, reach, and pull extremely effectively. Lastly, Prokapus plays with good overall pad level and wins with his head positioning. Prokapus is currently committed to Yale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Ranking: Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current State Ranking: 42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Positional Ranking: 9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18127098/65b5bf6fbee0f41190fa283e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f71270"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JohnProkapus/status/1808644866701734296","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JohnProkapus/status/1808644866701734296 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827678"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f71314"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pushing Prokapus for a spot in the top ten rankings of offensive lineman is [player_tooltip player_id='827678' first='Chris' last='Therien']. Currently at #11, Therien has really good power angles in his body when he is drive blocking. This, combined with the fact that he uses his hands to control his opponents' chest, gives him dominant drive blocking upside. Similarly, his base and balance allow him to totally wash opponents down the line. His short, choppy steps also add to his prowess and a dominant ground game anchor. Lastly, Therien has good head placement on these out/down/drive blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Ranking: Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current State Ranking: 51</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Positional Ranking: 11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18695079/657fbe5423472f03cc60777d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f7135b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/therienchris2/status/1806049918244487171","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/therienchris2/status/1806049918244487171 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["829418"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f713fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With offenses getting more spread out and faster, the emergence of a safety/linebacker type - better known as the star defender - is necessary to be equally as proficient in defending the run in a light box and the pass. Millville has this unique defender in [player_tooltip player_id='829418' first='Xavier' last='McBride']. Film shows us that on short passes McBride explodes down hill and will use his body to break up those attempts. He also uses his hands well, not in a grabby-type way, but more so to sense his defender's breaks and movements, when covering in man coverage. This star position requires versatility, which McBride affords by even being willing to put his hand in the dirt - likely due to his motor and effort. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Ranking: Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current State Ranking: 78</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Positional Ranking: 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16387295/65367b1dab9d4605581e4156' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f71446"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/XavierMcbride16/status/1795599304981397849","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/XavierMcbride16/status/1795599304981397849 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977141"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f714f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When other teams and players quit, [player_tooltip player_id='977141' first='Ethan' last='Cohall'] refuses to relent. Cohall typically plays well off, allowing him to see everything develop in front of him and also preventing anyone from getting behind him. He can, however, also wall off the edge nicely down near the line. A very good tackler, he can stick to receivers and play the ball as it arrives - while also high pointing the ball when the opportunity presents itself. A very good tackler, Cohall wraps well and finishes by tackling to his leverage. He diagnoses the run very well, often stacking behind his matchup when they try to block him along the perimeter. My type of player, Cohall is a well coached, hard nosed, good football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Ranking: Watch List</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current State Ranking: 62</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Positional Ranking: 9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16203437/656900c338641d0a74628023' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b1448f7153a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CohallEthan/status/1794785689709765025","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CohallEthan/status/1794785689709765025 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->