<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Testing results from this past Saturday at the NYNJ Next Combine in Jackson, NJ offered a deeper look into the raw athleticism and potential of some of the region's top middle school football players. Athletes went through a series of drills including the 40-yard dash, L-drill, 5-10-5, and broad jump—each one providing valuable insight into their speed, power, and agility, and how those traits translate to on-field performance. From quick-twitch movement to explosive burst, the numbers told a compelling story—but even more impressive was how these athletes paired those attributes with football IQ and skill.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>40 yard Dash</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The 40-yard dash is a key test of straight-line speed, measuring how quickly an athlete can accelerate and maintain top-end velocity over a short distance. In football, this drill directly translates to a player's ability to explode off the line of scrimmage, break away from defenders, or close ground quickly on a play. Whether it's a wide receiver gaining separation, a defensive back covering ground, or a running back hitting the hole, the 40-yard dash offers a clear glimpse into an athlete's game-breaking potential.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1.[player_tooltip player_id='1514925' first='Tymir' last='Sanders'] '29 DB:</strong> <em>4.53s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1.[player_tooltip player_id='1016186' first='Rahmir' last='Rivera'] '29 QB:</strong><em> 4.53s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1561606' first='Damaso' last='Maddix Munoz VI'] '29 RB:</strong><em> 4.53s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1653743' first='Erik' last='Weinstock'] '29 RB:</strong> <em>4.56s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1155914' first='Walker' last='Snee'] '29 QB:</strong> <em>4.6s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. Bennett Tobin '29 RB:</strong> <em>4.6s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>L-drill</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The L-drill, also known as the 3-cone drill, measures an athlete's ability to change direction quickly while maintaining balance and control. It's a strong indicator of agility, body control, and fluidity in movement—all essential traits on the football field. This drill translates to real-game scenarios like a receiver breaking off a route, a linebacker adjusting to a ball carrier's cut, or a defensive back flipping their hips to stay with a receiver. Success in the L-drill often points to a player who can react quickly and move smoothly in tight spaces.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1.[player_tooltip player_id='1361817' first='Mason' last='Koch'] '29 DB:</strong> <em>7.00s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1396263' first='Haiden' last='Redman'] '30 DB: </strong><em>7.00s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1530354' first='Adrian' last='Hunter'] '29 DB:</strong> <em>7.00s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1155914' first='Walker' last='Snee'] '29 QB</strong>: <em>7.03s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1653910' first='Sonny' last='Esposito'] '29 RB:</strong> <em>7.10s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5-10-5</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The 5-10-5 shuttle, or pro agility drill, tests an athlete's lateral quickness, reaction time, and ability to accelerate and decelerate efficiently. It simulates the rapid changes of direction that happen constantly in football—like a defensive back reacting to a cut, a running back making a jump cut, or a linebacker scraping across the field to make a play. Strong performance in this drill shows a player's ability to shift gears on the fly, maintain body control, and stay explosive through lateral movements, all of which are critical for success on the field.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1.[player_tooltip player_id='1594881' first='Matthew' last='Johnson'] '29 OL:</strong> <em>4.16s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>2.Blake Dominique '29 RB: </strong><em>4.19s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1530354' first='Adrian' last='Hunter'] '29 DB:</strong> <em>4.25s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>3. Kevin Roig '30 TE: </strong><em>4.25s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1568337' first='Brian' last='Cohan'] '29 RB:</strong> <em>4.28s</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Broad Jump</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The broad jump is a test of lower-body explosiveness, measuring how far an athlete can leap from a standing position. It's a direct reflection of leg power, core strength, and balance—traits that are crucial in football for explosive starts, powerful cuts, and overall athletic performance. Whether it's a lineman firing off the snap, a receiver launching into a route, or a linebacker exploding through a gap, the ability to generate force from the ground up is key. A strong broad jump score often indicates a player with high burst potential and functional power on the field.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>1.[player_tooltip player_id='409942' first='Gabe' last='Kemp'] '29 RB:</strong> <em>9'4</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1561606' first='Damaso' last='Maddix Munoz VI']</strong> <strong>'29 RB:</strong> <em>9'4</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1524876' first='A'Shaad' last='Carter'] '29 RB: </strong><em>9'0</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1155914' first='Walker' last='Snee'] '29 QB:</strong> <em>9'0</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='628120' first='Cruz' last='Araujo'] '29 WR:</strong> <em>8'11</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1272681' first='Justin' last='Merriman'] '29 QB:<em> </em></strong><em>8'11</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>5. Blake Dominique '29 RB:</strong> <em>8'11</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Testing results from this past Saturday at the NYNJ Next Combine in Jackson, NJ offered a deeper look into the raw athleticism and potential of some of the region's top middle school football players. Athletes went through a series of drills including the 40-yard dash, L-drill, 5-10-5, and broad jump—each one providing valuable insight into their speed, power, and agility, and how those traits translate to on-field performance. From quick-twitch movement to explosive burst, the numbers told a compelling story—but even more impressive was how these athletes paired those attributes with football IQ and skill.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in