North Jersey's Hidden Athletes

It's one thing to excel on one side of the ball and master a single position, and it is a whole different thing to dominate in multiple facets of the game. North Jersey has some of the best QBs, DBs, and WRs in the state, there is no denying that. What stands out more than anything though are the players that could play on either side of the ball at the next level. Here are six of those players from North Jersey that have made a name for themselves at multiple positions.    If there is one player on Gov. Livingston's roster that can elevate his team's performance on both sides of the ball, it is [player_tooltip player_id='855766' first='Jack' last='Dally']. Lining up as the lead back on offense, [player_tooltip player_id='855766' first='Jack' last='Dally'] ran the ball with ferocity in 2023. Gaining a reputation as a gritty, nimble back, Jack carved through opposing defenses as he often broke through the first line of defense and was on his way to the end zone. Jack has this way of getting skinny between the blockers and emerging out of a pile unscathed. He is not a big back, but he plays like one. Jack can toss defenders off of him and is often found churning his feet to drive the defender backwards for a few extra yards.   Defensively, Jack excels while playing a hybrid role. Lined up as a rover, Jack plays a pivotal role in not only coverage but in the run defense as well. Jack is quick to react, giving himself the ability to blow up runs in the backfield as well as sniff out screens thrown his direction. A clean, hard hitter as well, Jack is a sure threat to any opposing offensive scheme. Keep an eye out for Jack in 2024.      Only a sophomore entering 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='1105270' first='Kayden' last='Phillips'] is a name to start getting familiar with. It is too early to tell exactly which side of the ball Kayden may opt for in the future, but for now, he is showing that he could become an essential piece to Newton's pass game as well as a defender in the secondary. Getting mostly reps at the freshman level in 2023, Kayden set himself apart from the competition. As a receiver, Kayden showed that he can high point the ball and take it away from the defender.   Defensively, Kayden lined up as a cornerback for Newton's freshman squad and showed early promise. Kayden's longer arms could make him a worry for opposing offenses in the future, as he will have no trouble snagging the ball out of the air and using his range to wrap runners up from afar. There is a lot to look forward to up in Newton.        Another athlete that serves not only as a talented receiver but ball carrier as well, [player_tooltip player_id='270932' first='Matthew' last='Guenther'] is a name that I believe deserves way more recognition than he's received. Matthew has proven himself to be an athlete worth watching. Lining up in the slot and also out wide for Hackettstown, Matthew has especially been impactful when running deeper routes. Darting downfield, Matthew is a big target that does a good job getting vertical and outjumping the DBs for the ball. Matthew seems to have sticky hands, often reeling the ball in when defenders are ripping at it or it's far from the body. He isn't the quickest off of the line, but his downfield presence and ability to outcompete defenders makes Matthew a name worth knowing. Matthew could also double as an RB at the next level as well, as his bigger frame could set himself up to be a power back that can break through the line and take off downfield.      A taller cornerback for Morristown Beard, Darius is one of those versatile players that could really line up anywhere in the secondary. Often found pressing up close to the line, Darius is aggressive with his hand movement and can drive receiver's off of their routes. There are moments when Darius has been beat off of the line, but luckily he has the quickness to recover and get back involved in the play. I think where Darius shines the most is his open field tackling skills. Very few runners have success getting away from Darius in open space, as he does an exceptional job keeping his foot moving, getting low, and wrapping up fully as he pounces at the ball carrier.        [player_tooltip player_id='1037505' first='Jahsyn' last='Reid'] is an athlete that if you're not familiar with yet, you will be soon. Covering him extensively in the past, Jahsyn has made his way into the top 100 players in the NJ 2025 class. Predominately an offensive weapon, Jahsyn plays a pivotal role in Newark Central's aerial attack. A tall, rangy receiver, Jahsyn has the dimensions and characteristics to dominate as a downfield threat. More explosive than most, Jahsyn is dangerous in the end zone as he can out leverage and out maneuver DBs he goes up against when going up for the ball. Equipped with excellent hand-eye coordination and body control, Jahsyn is able to contort his body to make the catch and come down with it cleanly on his feet.   Jahsyn also shines on the defensive side of the ball, as he has demonstrated deep coverage abilities in the secondary. With the speed he has, Jahsyn can cover a large range and can change directions quickly to B-line it to the ball. Wherever Jahsyn is placed, he will find success at the next level. Jahsyn is currently committed to Monmouth, but I would not be surprised one bit if other schools try to entice him before next fall.      One of the top athletes in the NJ 2025 class, [player_tooltip player_id='1100627' first='Ja'kem' last='Brown'] is another one of those explosive, elusive players that any college would be lucky to have on their roster. Lining up as the top target for Newark East Side, Ja'kem is one of those receivers that has the versatility to not only make him dangerous downfield but also in the shorter route game as well. Ja'kem's 6'0" frame gives him a leg up against DBs downfield, as his size commands more attention and makes it a challenge for defenders to compete with him for the ball. Not only that, Ja'kem is special with the ball in his hands early on in the play. With the agility and vision Ja'kem has, he can tuck the ball away and navigate through defenders with ease as he picks up big gains. A strong body as well, Ja'kem can mow through defenders as he breaks through one tackle after the other.   Newark East Side is one of my favorite teams in the state entering 2024, so make sure to catch a game and keep an eye on their progress throughout the season. Ja'kem has received offers from UConn and Stony Brook, but I am sure more are to come by season's end.

It's one thing to excel on one side of the ball and master a single position, and it is a whole different thing to dominate in multiple facets of the game. North Jersey has some of the best QBs, DBs, and WRs in the state, there is no denying that. What stands out more than anything though are the players that could play on either side of the ball at the next level. Here are six of those players from North Jersey that have made a name for themselves at multiple positions.