2025 Sleepers: Prospects with Great Film That I Loved, Part V

<p><strong><em>Enjoy our newest rankings release by using promo code “mankarious30” for 30% off your first subscription to Prep Redzone New Jersey</em></strong>!</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p>Perhaps the single element of being on our ranking team that I enjoy the most is the opportunity to unearth hidden gems that are either overlooked, under recruited, or not yet on the radar. Creating media buzz, notoriety, and calling attention for deserving prospects that are is a selfless joy I partake in. That said, independent of any agenda, here are some player's tapes that I really enjoyed and are simply and outright good football players.</p>    <p>Despite being far from 6'4", Clifton's [player_tooltip player_id='1210990' first='Justin' last='Gaviria'] plays defensive line like he is that tall. Gaviria plays in the trenches like a big, nasty, disruptive force every snap he takes. Gaviria is physical with trappers and can blow them up - unless he squeezes so tight down the line to the point where he can beat the blocker to point of attack. Fundamentally sound, we see him press, lock, and finish with his hands above his eyes. Understanding and reading his keys well, Gaviria hits low hats with a swim move. Offensively there is much to like, too. Gaviria climbs to the second level effectively and keeps a solid base both in pass protection and run blocking. When pulling, Gaviria will look to upload and finish all his blocks. </p>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JustinGaviria3/status/1787189120957104206 </div></figure>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1033352' first='Kaden' last='Irby-Mason'] is a versatile linebacker for Bergen Catholics front that looks to three-peat this fall. Yes, Irby-Mason times his blitzes off the edge extremely well; however, what makes him unique in this is his ability to disguise himself from the opposing quarterback being able to identifying him as his hot read. A really good tackler, Irby-Mason attacks at the waist and rolls. Needless to say, this is due to his ability to track the nearside hip very well. When defending the run, his reads are quick, immediate and gets to his spot, patiently waiting for the running back to bounce right into his waiting arms. Appearing to play in a match concept, Irby-Mason does a really nice job of getting hands on #2, redirecting him, while keeping his disciplined eyes on #1 in pass coverage. </p>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kadenirbymason/status/1811505382621086127 </div></figure>    <p>Admittedly, the 2025 rankings took longer than expected because it was started before, and then resumed after, event season. I do recall, however, watching [player_tooltip player_id='675372' first='Kamar' last='Archie']'s film - which was mostly of him as a running back - and thinking to myself, "I think this kid would crush it at linebacker." Before those thoughts ever had the chance to be published, Archie committed to Rutgers... as a linebacker. Go figure. </p>   <p>What film shows us about Archie is that he has a good first two steps and hits the hole at full speed - there is no gradual ascension to his speed. On tape as a junior playing in 2023, he absolutely looked the part of a college running back then. Archie possesses balance up the sideline, walking to tightrope and accruing additional yardage. Lastly, he runs with forward lean and keeps his feet milling no matter what, breaking poor tackles in the process and using the stiff arm as needed. Lining up at the mike backer, he makes outstanding reads, enabling him to shoot the gap very quickly. Although he may get contacted by offensive linemen in the process, he is quick and powerful enough that their attempts at blocking him are fruitless. A good gator roll tackler, he travels at full speed to the ball. </p>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KamarsirArchie/status/1809271350265278780 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Down in South Jersey there is a small school named Schalick loaded with lots of talent - arguably none more talented that [player_tooltip player_id='941872' first='Kenai' last='Simmons']. Simmons profiles as a one-cut runner who can take a single, sharp cut and get up field in a hurry. He clearly has a second gear that he can reach when he needs to. Balance as a runner is a big plus for Simmons too, as his forawrd lean helps propel and balance himself, while he avoids getting tripped up. He is a tough ball carrier to track due to his shifty his hips can be. He has shown some patience on film, changing speeds appropriately to set up his burst through the hole. </p>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KenaiSimmons/status/1798784173794095255 </div></figure>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1054407' first='Kevin' last='Taylor'] has the potential to be a big riser depending on how his senior campaign plays out. Rahway's newest import from Linden is extremely disruptive due to his good get off and consistency in getting his hands on his matchup. Recognizing reach well, he is a tough block along the perimeter. Protections either need to slide or lock on to him, as Taylor is too big, quick, and strong to be left alone for a running back to pick up. The arm-over is a successful move for Taylor, who also pursues backside well. Closing speed in tight quarters is a plus of his too. </p>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KevinTaylor57/status/1803878067405762956 </div></figure>    <p>It is somewhat obvious when you are the #1 ranked offensive linemen and the #2 overall prospect in the state, but [player_tooltip player_id='846957' first='Malachi' last='Goodman']'s film is just too good to not speak on. Unlike the overwhelming majority of offensive line film I have seen, Goodman is exceptional when taking short, choppy steps. This, combined with a consistent base, allows him to get great displacement on-blocking both vertically and horizontally; Goodman is strong enough to win any matchup 1on1. On the other side of that coin, Goodman also has great kick steps that are paired with quick feet when powering down. When pulling he seems to gain acceleration after his second step. Lastly, Goodman ties all this together by being blessed with strong hands that enable him to control his opponent's breast plate like a steering wheel. Goodman is the real deal.</p>     <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_Malachi71/status/1790130277613789504 </div></figure>

Enjoy our newest rankings release by using promo code “mankarious30” for 30% off your first subscription to Prep Redzone New Jersey!