Breakout Watch: Talented Prospects Set to Elevate

The first breakout player to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='1665598' first='Andrew' last='Kratee'] from Winslow. At 6'1”, 170 pounds, Kratee brings ideal length to the cornerback position and flashes solid ball skills. While his game film is still limited, he's made a name for himself this offseason on the camp and 7-on-7 circuit. College coaches are starting to take notice. Kratee recently earned offers from the University of Charlotte and Southern Miss, and with the way his recruitment is trending, more could be coming soon.        The next breakout name to know is Elijah Green from Union. The 6-foot, 155-pound athlete stands out on both sides of the ball, but it's his work at cornerback that truly pops. Green is a smooth mover with top-tier ball skills and strong instincts. He reads routes well, closes space quickly, and shows the ability to flip his hips and run with just about anyone. What separates him is his natural ability to locate the football and position himself to make plays. Green recently earned offers from Wofford and the University of Charlotte, and he's well on his way to being one of New Jersey's top young defensive backs.        [player_tooltip player_id='1665615' first='AJ' last='Lopez'] Jr. is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young two-way talents in New Jersey. At 6'1”, 160 pounds, the explosive athlete flashes significant upside at both cornerback and wide receiver. On defense, he's long, instinctive, and sticky in coverage, rarely giving wideouts breathing room. His ability to stay in phase and bait quarterbacks into risky throws shows advanced awareness for his age. Offensively, Lopez can stretch the field with his speed and ball-tracking ability, and he's not shy about making contested catches. As he steps into a bigger role this fall, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1665615' first='AJ' last='Lopez'] Jr. to emerge as one of the top players in North Jersey's Super Conference.        [player_tooltip player_id='1665629' first='Zyeir' last='Green'] is the definition of a do-it-all athlete. The Timber Creek standout lines up at slot corner, strong safety, running back, and wide receiver—and makes an impact wherever he's placed. At 5'8”, 180 pounds, he runs with power and balance, rarely going down on first contact. On defense, he thrives near the line of scrimmage, disrupting timing and creating chaos for opposing offenses. His 2023 stat line—97 tackles, 3 TFLs, one sack, two picks, and over 300 rushing yards—speaks to his versatility. With an offer already from Rhode Island and more likely on the way, Green is poised for a breakout season as his instincts and complete skill set continue to evolve.      [player_tooltip player_id='1622971' first='Jarrod' last='Barnes II'] might be young, but his upside is massive. The South Jersey edge rusher flashes rare explosiveness off the line and already shows natural feel as a run defender. At 6'3” and still growing into his frame, Barnes uses his length well and plays with active, silent hands to shed blockers. The tape may be limited, but the flashes are loud. Once he expands his pass-rush arsenal and sharpens his technique, Barnes is going to be a nightmare for offensive tackles. Expect a breakout year from one of the most intriguing edge prospects in South Jersey.