Rumble Young Man Rumble: PRZ Next NY|NJ Middle School Combine RBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top to bottom, this may have been the most impressive group of middle school prospects ever assembled for a PRZ Next Middle School Combine. With 162 prospects registered from six different states, the talent was deep on paper. Then, when the group showed up and hit the field, all bets were off. Below are the Running Backs that caught my eyes during the combine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Dat Dude | aka The MVP</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1524876"],"_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-67f4fa65d2f6a"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: Eastern High School</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the PRZ Next Middle School Combine, I don't think many people would have predicted that Carter would have walked away with the Running Back MVP, but he certainly did. One of only a handful of South Jersey kids to come through the combine, Carter passed the eye test immediately with a muscular frame and legs built to run for days. "Whoever No. 45 has serious speed" was something I heard throughout the afternoon, about Carter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong>&nbsp;68″</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong>&nbsp;4.64 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.87</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong>&nbsp;9'0"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong>&nbsp;7.37</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">1st Team All-Combine</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158930"],"_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-67f4fa65d2fce"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominique confirmed what many people in the NY/NJ youth football scene already knew--he's a talented young man. He's a big back and is built like a horse at 5-foot-10 and 187-solid pounds. The future SJR back ran violently all day long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 71"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 4.66 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.19 <em>(Position Best at the combine)</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 8'11"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.22</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409942"],"_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-67f4fa65d301b"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was Kemp's third PRZ Next Middle School combine, and with his performance, he earned his third straight All-Combine team. Noticeably more chiseled in the upper-body, Kemp continues to be one of the top backs in New Jersey. His position-best 9'4" in the broad jump was impressive to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> DNP</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 4.79 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.84</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 9'4" <em>(Tied-Position Best at the combine)</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.38</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529260"],"_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-67f51dec89218"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: TBA.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you want to talk about the All-Eye Team team at the PRZ Next Middle School Combine, [player_tooltip player_id='1529260' first='Xavier' last='Weems'] would get a vote from me. He's up 17 pounds of muscle since December and looked impressive. He swears he's an offensive player--and some of his footwork and agility make my second guess myself a little bit--but I still see him as an Outside Linebacker down the line. Time will tell, but he was excellent all afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 71.5"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 5.16 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.68</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 7'10"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.59</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1415729"],"_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-67f542eb9a047"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think it should be pretty telling that three out of the four Running Backs that were selected to the 1st Team All-Combine are headed to SJR in the fall. Burgess has turned the corner physically, up three inches and 20 pounds since our last check. He looked explosive throughout testing drills and carried over the same stop/start skill set on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 69"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 5.0 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.5</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 8'11"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">2nd Team All-Combine</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1277853"],"_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-67f542eb9a0d5"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: St. Peter's Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Attending his second PRZ Next Middle School Combine, Ratliff showed big signs of improvement from the last time I saw him live. He physically looks different--way more muscular and more athletic overall. He moved very well throughout the combine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 67.75"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 4.85 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.35</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 7'8"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.54</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637746"],"_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-67f542eb9a14a"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: Don Bosco Prep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I saw him walk through the doors, before I had a numerical roster, I would have pegged him for a Linebacker. While I think his barrel-chested frame may be better suited for the defensive side of the ball, he looked very fast and smooth for being one of the bigger backs in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 71"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 4.81 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.35</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 8'5"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.32</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561606"],"_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-67f542eb9a1fb"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: Immaculata High School</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the combine, Maddix Munoz VI claimed some impressive speed numbers. After watching him in person and getting the results, I can confirm the kid can absolutely scoot. The number below help tell the story. Get this kid in space and let him fly. He tested phenomenally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 69.5"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 4.53 (hand) (<em>Position Best at the combine)</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.31</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 9'4" <em>(Tied-Position Best at the combine)</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529303"],"_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-67f542eb9a2a0"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Future High School</strong>: Wood-Ridge High School</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like several others in this writeup, Diaz was an eye-test passer right away. While certainly on the smaller side at 5-foot-6 and 142-pounds, he was cut up and looked the part of a speedy RB. In my eyes, he looks noticeably faster than he does quick--and the combine numbers back up what I saw. As he continues to put it all together, his future is promising.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Testing</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wingspan:</strong> 69"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>40-yard dash:</strong> 4.81 (hand)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shuttle</strong>: 4.47</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Broad Jump:</strong> 9'4"</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>L-Drill:</strong> 7.97</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mention All-Combine</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennett Tobin</strong> - The lone Massachusetts Running Back to earn a spot on any of the All-Combine Teams, Tobin was exactly what I expected him to be: A shorter, muscular kid with very good straight-line speed. His 4.6 speed in the forty and lower body strength was very obvious, with the way he runs low to the ground--almost like a tank.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568337' first='Brian' last='Cohan']</strong> - Stepping outside the familiar grounds of Sussex County, [player_tooltip player_id='1568337' first='Brian' last='Cohan'] made the trip down and had a pretty good day. The smallest of any 2029 RB at just 5-foot-5 and 130-pounds, he was very shifty and moved well laterally to the tune of a 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1566350' first='Ryan' last='Gabriele']</strong> - In my first opportunity to see him play live versus his film, I thought Gabriele did a nice job. He's 15 pounds heavier (muscle weight) than I had him listed at before the combine. It's clear to see that his time in the weight room ahead of his freshman season at Chatham High School is already paying off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sonny Esposito</strong> - Both of the RBs that helped Wood-Ridge to an undefeated 2024 season were in attendance at the combine, and both earned All-Combine honors. Esposito sported a lean build, but a frame that is begging to get into the weightroom at 5-foot-9 and 148-pounds. Once he adds muscle and everything starts to click physically, his RB position-best 7.1 in the L-Drill likely won't be his <em>only</em> best time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->