2026 Rankings Update: Scout’s Favorite Film, Part II

<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>After leading the state in tackles as a sophomore, it should come as no surprise that Oakcrest's [player_tooltip player_id='212386' first='Donovan' last='Linthicum'] has put together some really nice film. Linthicum has a great burst, accelerating extremely well when called upon to blitz. I also like how he commits to taking his read steps and generates both force and power when tackling, and does so low. Capable of making clean reads and seeing things clearly, Linthicum has great speed to fill gaps as they open. Many times he is so quick to read that he gets through the line untouched. Perhaps more of an indictment on some of his teammates, Linthicum often beats many of them to the play when pushed along the perimeter. </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/blonde_polamalu/status/1828544204185952634 </div></figure>     <p>A prospect that I have gotten to know a little bit from the last two camp seasons, [player_tooltip player_id='712932' first='Jack' last='Garbolino'] is an old face in a new place. Reclassifying as a 2026 graduate with The Hun School, it is really uncertain what position Garbolino will play in college. With the skillset to play linebacker, edge, and tight end, he is a Swiss Army knife that a team only benefits from rostering. When at mike, we see Garbolino make his read steps and typically hung the line. He matches the hand very well and also has soft hands himself, picking a ball off when he was standing about 3 yards off the line of scrimmage. When possessing the ball, we see that Garbolino sets up his blockers nicely, using the stiff arm to create space and keep defenders at bay. When getting through his gap, he stacks the heels of the offensive linemen well to maintain backfield discipline and force bounces. In pass defense he bails to his spot and keys the quarterback's eyes. Hand usage is also a part of Garbolino's game, as he uses them to disengage and shed blocks. A leverage tackler, he rolls correctly and also wraps well, applying the uppercut technique. Lastly, his size allows him to high point the ball, use his hands to catch, and do a great job clogging passing lanes. Garbolino also keeps his feet through contact. </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/JackGarbs12/status/1783657419677045007 </div></figure>     <p>There is something about wide receivers who run block like maniacs that I love. That trait is something Hillside's [player_tooltip player_id='1022162' first='Kamari' last='Robinson'] does and seems to enjoy and take pride in. As a returner, Robinson has a little shake and bake to him. He is able to break poor, high tacklers well. Aside from standard stalk or on blocking along the perimeter, he looks to lay nasty hits in the run game to spring his teammates for big gainers. Should he see daylight, Robinson does a nice job of cutting up on the first bit that he sees. Tackling at the waist, Robinson does a good job of wrapping and driving his legs. Back to that blocking thing - on film we see him hustle way down and across the field on plays away from him to help create cutback angles or pick up a block. My impression of Robinson is that he is used in a variety of ways in all three phases of the game and is a good player to roster.</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/Kamari5Robinson </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402242' first='Scott' last='Freeman'] is a prospect that I had not heard of before, but sure am glad I watched his film. Positioning himself as one of the top receivers in his class, Freeman has explosive moments and can high point the ball well. Those movements are sudden, thus making his cuts sharp. Route running is something Freeman has refined too, sinking his hips when he breaks the stem of his route. Additionally, we see Freeman create space for himself by dancing and side stepping defenders, while on the same token use his big, physical body to gain extra yardage. </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/S2Freemann/status/1653432519201570818 </div></figure>     <p>From Willingboro, [player_tooltip player_id='1029761' first='Zahir' last='Bryant'] is another prospect that can do a multitude of things well. Walked down as a safety, Bryant gets to his hook zone quickly. With the ball in his hands, however, he can run well and cut back against the grain, making multiple people miss in the process. He is aided by a good release and has the speed to turn up. A low tackler, he also explodes when breaking on the ball as it is thrown. A smooth runner, he manipulates his speed to gain a step. Lastly, Bryant will lower his shoulder to gain yardage and also utilize the jump cut to create extra space. </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/Wakemuppmoody </div></figure>

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