Scout’s Notebook: Wide Receivers from PRZ NXT MS Combine, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My event coverage from April 5ths Prep Redzone Next Middle School Combine in Jackson, New Jersey continues with a position-by-position breakdown of each prospect that I was able to record notes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For continued coverage and updates, be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">X/Twitter.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is there a better football name than [player_tooltip player_id='1591462' first='Jake' last='Butkus']? Butkus was a prospect I got one last look at as the whistle blew and prospects got their final reps in before the camp's conclusion. What I saw in that one moment was that Butkus does a great job snapping his hips on intermediate routes, allowing himself to create space as he returned back to the ball for the easy catch... Similarly, [player_tooltip player_id='1637422' first='Jahvier' last='Shuler'] showcased similar ability on such routes, too. Shuler's hips snapped and sank extremely well, allowing him to be in prime position to get under a poorly thrown pass that was nearly a ground ball. The curl might be Shuler's best route, as I noticed him coming back to it later in the event. Something that receivers generally struggle with, Shuler extends his arms well in order to make the catch and keep distance from defenders trying to play on the ball. I want to see him get out of his release and push upfield a bit harder on this type of route, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was one receiver, who in my opinion, outshined the rest and was consensus MVP at his position group: [player_tooltip player_id='1278074' first='Noah' last='Rivera']. The first time I saw Rivera he made an incredible throw. This quarterback threw an absolute bomb about 55 yards downfield. Rivera had to leap back through the defender to come down with it. Yes, impressive in its own right, but this is juxtaposed over that the pass was so far and long, it was interfered with a drill nearly 60 yards away! Smoother than silk, Rivera got his feet down, turned, and side stepped danger as if it was a cover 2 safety lurking over the top to lay a decleating hit. Aside from the obvious mind-blowing play, Rivera has a lot of subtle, technical aspects to his game that I noticed. On a flag route, I noticed Rivera lean into the defensive back who was playing inside leverage to use their own leverage against him, creating space at the route's step. Releases are something that Rivera has a variety of, too. Again, with a defender playing inside leverage, he took the outside release only to cross them up like an Allen Iverson crossover to win on another big gainer. This play, however, he was contested all the way through the ground, where his strong hands had him pop up with the ball safety in his possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Event Coverage: Prep Redzone Next Combine Series – New Jersey</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/prz-next-combine-series-5-offensive-lineman-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Offensive Linemen</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-defenders-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Defenders, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-more-defenders-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Defenders, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-quarterbacks-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Quarterbacks</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/prz-next-combine-series-5-offensive-skills-im-excited-to-see">Event Preview: Offensive Skills</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/instant-reaction-prep-redzone-next-combine-series-new-jersey">Post-Event Instant Reaction</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-offensive-eye-test-prospects-physically-ready-to-compete-now">Offensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/the-defensive-eye-test-prospects-physically-ready-to-compete-now">Defensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/workout-warriors-defensive-players-top-combine-scores">Top Combine Scores, Defense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/workout-warriors-offensive-players-top-combine-scores">Top Combine Scores, Offense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-d-backs-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Defensive Back Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-defensive-backs-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-2">Defensive Back Notes, Part 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-d-backs-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Defensive Line Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-defensive-line-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-2">Defensive Line Notes, Part 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-linebackers-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Linebacker Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-o-line-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Offensive Line Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-quarterbacks-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Quarterback Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-running-backs-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Running Back Notes, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-tight-ends-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine">Tight End Notes</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/scouts-notebook-wide-receivers-from-prz-nxt-ms-combine-part-1">Wide Receiver Notes, Part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->