Elite Offensive Skill Players From the 2028 Class

Running Backs   [player_tooltip player_id='1548605' first='Patrick' last='Randolph']: Park Ridge   If you're not familiar with [player_tooltip player_id='1548605' first='Patrick' last='Randolph'] yet, now's the time to get acquainted. Patrick has put up arguably the most impressive stats of any freshman in the entire state this season. Lining up as a fullback, Patrick has been extremely effective as a downhill runner, especially finding success between the tackles. We have to shed some light on Park Ridge's experienced offensive line as well, as they were able to push defenders around at will this season, opening up huge holes for Patrick to run through. Patrick never veered away from contact against his upperclassmen foe; Patrick would secure the handoff, load up with low pad level, and break through arm tackles as well as run right over defenders. Leading the state in rushing for freshman, Patrick totaled over 1000 offensive yards and 13 touchdowns in his first year on the field.   Not only did Patrick dominate on the offensive side of the ball, but he delivered on the field lining up as a linebacker as well. Patrick totaled 56 tackles on the season and was able to apply pressure to the backfield and force 2 sacks on the season. There is a lot to look forward to in Park Ridge with this playmaker on their roster.    [player_tooltip player_id='1013479' first='Ca'si' last='Thomas']: St. Thomas Aquinas   [player_tooltip player_id='1013479' first='Ca'si' last='Thomas'] has one of the brightest futures of any 2028 player coming out of NJ. Built with elite speed as a long stride runner, when Ca'si gets into the open field you can almost guarantee he will break it towards the end zone. St. Thomas Aquinas has themselves a future star at the running back position. Outside of his linear speed, what stands out to me in Ca'si's game is his lateral quickness in the trenches and ability to get out of trouble with sharp cuts and smooth changes of direction. It's a big reason Ca'si was able to take off for 570 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns this past season. Just as impressive, though Ca'si is a little leaner at the moment, he is not one to shy away from contact. Ca'si has a way of breaking free from defenders when they are within his grasp, exploding away from contact and picking up a few extra yards.    Trey Alexander: Williamstown   A running back that has been on my radar since before the season began, Trey Alexander lived up to the hype in his freshman debut. Trey showed in his first year on the field that he already has next level capabilities. Speed, power, and twitchiness is everything you look for in a young running back. Those three characteristics really describe how Trey plays with the ball in his hands. Trey has the ability to carve right through the center of the defense, emerge in the second level, and put a shifty move on a DB to spring free for a big gain. A lot of that playmaking ability stems from his vision as a runner and ability to see blocks being set up downfield and letting his blockers get into position to follow them and cut when the time is right. As Trey puts on more size and his speed develop further, few defenders will be able to stop this Williamstown RB. Already rushing for 535 yards and 7 touchdowns in his first season, look for Trey to put in a ton of work over the offseason and reemerge in the fall as a household name in the state.    Wide Receivers   [player_tooltip player_id='965246' first='Mekhi' last='Parker']: Glassboro   Another one of the many talented underclassmen for Glassboro, [player_tooltip player_id='965246' first='Mekhi' last='Parker'] played a big role in his offense's success with the limited exposure he had this season. With 15 receptions on the year, Mekhi was able to turn it into 316 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Mekhi is going to be special over these next few seasons. A lengthy and elastic receiver, Mekhi's height and explosiveness in getting vertical makes it a challenge for any DB to compete with him for the jump ball. Mekhi's knack for tracking the ball as it's coming towards him and ability to readjust to make the catch is going to be trouble for DBs to defend against in the future. I foresee Mehki making highlight catches along the sideline for years to come.   What caught cornerbacks by surprise this season is the speed Mekhi is equipped with. He doesn't look extremely quick coming off of the line, but that may be more of a product of his build and longer strides as a runner. There are countless examples of DBs waiting to long too get their hips around and Mekhi tearing down field and running under the ball. Mekhi will play a crucial role in developing Glassboro into a dynasty over these next few seasons.    [player_tooltip player_id='972304' first='TJ' last='Maddox']: Winslow   Another receiver that is in the right place and time to thrive, Winslow's [player_tooltip player_id='972304' first='TJ' last='Maddox'] is set to become one of the main downfield targets for a lethal passing attack in 2025. With sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='910875' first='Jalen' last='Parker'] leading the charge and Winslow losing their top receiver in Cam Miller to graduation, TJ will become one of the main reasons Winslow continues their dominance in the future. TJ is quick off of the line and just as shifty of a route runner as others on Winslow's roster. Catching 12 passes so far this season, TJ has been able to turn it into 230 yards and 2 trips to the end zone. Winslow still has one game left to play against Phillipsburg for the state championship, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if TJ plays a role in Winslow's victory Wednesday night.    Avery Cano: Lyndhurst   An athlete in the truest sense, Avery Cano is a player that could thrive in the backfield but also out wide as well. Mostly utilized as a receiver, Avery showed off his receiving skills in 2024 by making the challenging catches look easy. On the 9 catches that Avery made this season, he showed how good his hands are by reeling in passes distant from his body and keeping his hands locked on the ball to secure the catch. Avery can make those circus style catches, contorting his body mid pass to make the adjustments needed to get his hands on the ball. Avery doesn't need the ball thrown to him perfectly, as he is athletic enough to make the catch as long as it's in his vicinity with great body control and tracking skills. As a receiver, Avery caught 4 touchdown passes in his freshman season and racked up 276 yards. As a ball carrier, Avery was also able to find some success on the ground as he ran in 2 touchdowns and another 115 yards. There is a lot to look forward to in this Lyndhurst athlete.

Running Backs