Linemen to Know from the Next Northeast Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend brought us a diverse group of defensive linemen. Ranging from edge rushers to interior defenders, the group showed promise with a few of the athletes shining in every drill they were put through. Here are some of the most noteworthy defensive linemen from last weekend's Next Northeast camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defensive Linemen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278005"],"_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-677951b7d1d78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leaving Waldwick with the title of top performing defensive lineman, [player_tooltip player_id='1278005' first='Fred' last='Smart-Wise'] impressed all of the coaches and scouts in attendance. Measuring in at 235lb, Fred showed he has the size and sturdiness to command the center of the defensive front. With Fred's lower center of gravity, he showed that he can maintain leverage when facing off against offensive linemen, and then use strong hands and powerful arm movements to drive them backwards. Not only was Fred impressive in his technical skills, but he proved to be one of the quicker D-linemen of the camp as well. Fred finished the day with a 5.72 second shuttle and 8.67 second L-drill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1541065"],"_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-677951b7d1e15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A defensive linemen with high school size and characteristics already, [player_tooltip player_id='1541065' first='Danny' last='Mejia Lopez'] really stood out and caught the attention of the defensive coaches. Danny seems capable of lining up anywhere along the defensive front. He could become that stout presence in the interior that some coaches prefer, or line up on the edge and use his speed and agility to overcome the blockers. Danny's quick feet and reactivity really showed Saturday afternoon, as he moved quickly in his cuts in the shuttle and used an arsenal of pass rush moves to get by the O-linemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1590287],"_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-677951b7d1e62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being one of the youngest athletes at the entire Next Northeast camp, Jasiah impressed by competing at the same level and intensity as the athletes two grades older than him. Jasiah not only showed he belonged along with the best, but proved that he is a name worth remembering. Jasiah has an athletic build and looks like he will thrive as a speedy edge rusher. He ran some of the quicker 40 and shuttle times of the group (5.53 sec and 5.12 sec), but I expect those numbers to jump considerably by the time he gets to 8th grade. An explosive defender with a ton of jump off of the ball, Jasiah is one of those prospects that will get a lot of attention early in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Connor Smardin DL 2029</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the day measuring 5'8" and 222lb, Connor Smardin showed the scouts that he has all of the qualities necessary to shine when he gets to the high school level. With a low center of gravity, Connor was able to demonstrate quick directional changes (5.41 sec. shuttle), an ability to build up speed quickly (5.88 sec. 40 yard dash), and explosive abilities coming off of the line (7'3" broad jump). All of these characteristics translated onto the field when going up against the O-line and during positional drills, indicating that he will integrate into the high school speed very quickly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1544737' first='Justin' last='Zammit'] DL 2029</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1544737' first='Justin' last='Zammit'] put up one of the most impressive defensive performances of the day. Leading the charge in nearly every testing drill, Justin ranked among the best in everything he did. A young athlete with exceptional size already (5'11", 172lb, 9 inch hands, and 73 in. wingspan), Justin shined in the early part of the day, especially when he demonstrated his speed and power capabilities. Clocking a 4.81 sec. shuttle, Justin finished the day with the best time in the positional group. He also finished second in the 40 yard dash (5.3 sec.), broad jump (8'), and L-drill (8.06 sec.). This is a defender you need to keep an eye on over the the next few seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bonus Player: Offensive Line</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There weren't a ton of O-linemen at the Next Northeast camp, but for the ones that came, one lineman in particular stood out. That lineman was [player_tooltip player_id='1571068' first='Adrian' last='Tirado']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571068"],"_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-677951b7d1ea9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming into the camp measuring 5'9" and 234lb, Adrian has the potential to become a force upfront for any offense he lines up for. I am very impressed with Adrian's wingspan (70 inches), as that gives him the ability to really drive a defender back and keep him out of the pocket, and makes it much more challenging for an edge rusher to get by. With a strong, stable base Adrian showed moxie going up against the best defensive lineman listed above. He was able to maintain an upright posture and never gave the defenders a chance to move him at will. Adrian was truly the best of the bunch Saturday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->