PRZ NJ Combine: Standout Running Back Notes, Volume I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, May 4 Prep Redzone New Jersey hosted our annual high school combine. This event featured combine testing, football skills/drills, and had roughly a combined 25 colleges either request scores or attend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are notes that I recorded while I was in attendance for the position group mentioned in the subject line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ"><strong>Twitter</strong></a>&nbsp;for the latest updates in New Jersey high school football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smaller-yet-active back in attendance was Antonio Ercolano. At 5'2", this 2028 graduate showed that he has moves galore, both in the open field and in tight spaces. As if he was closer to my age, Ercolano hit a Skip-to-my-Lou type move in the box drill, making the pursuing linebacker look foolish. Later on, Ercolano hit a similarly as impressive move that saw him convert for an easy pitch-and-catch during one-on-ones... I hate seeing this, so I must call it out every time I see it: 7on7 is NOT real football. Unfortunately for [player_tooltip player_id='1665998' first='Aaron' last='Gonzalez'], I noticed him carrying the ball way away from his body - likely a product of 7on7 culture - as I know that is not a product of coaching REAL football. I implore Gonzalez to focus on ball security and listening to his high school coaches when it comes to ball security, since nobody has ever earned a scholarship from 7on7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there was one thing that [player_tooltip player_id='910152' first='Jyvon' last='Cooper'] was exceptional at, it was reading over plays. On more than one occasion, I noted Cooper simply side-stepping aggressive, downhill linebackers. Unsure whether it was him judging their angle or technique, Cooper had a keen sense of knowing exactly when to jump cut to have the defender go flying in the opposite direction... For [player_tooltip player_id='910904' first='Alex' last='Staten'], his best trait might be the fact that he can manipulate his speed and is patient before fully deploying it. Cooper showed that in space he has a sudden burst he can turn on to create separation and leave certain defenders in the dust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Redzone New Jersey Combine Event Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-offensive-eye-test-prospects-ready-for-college">Offensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-defensive-eye-test-prospects-ready-for-college">Defensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-standout-combine-performances-defense">Top Combine Performers, Defense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-standout-combine-performances-offense">Top Combine Performers, Offense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-standout-linebacker-notes-volume-i">Linebacker Notes, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-standout-receiver-notes-volume-i">Receiver Notes, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/prz-nj-combine-standout-running-back-notes-volume-i">Running Back Notes, Volume 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->