PSR Big Camp Series, New Jersey: Running Backs, Volume I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, May 10th, 2025 I was welcomed back for the third year in a row to cover Coach Nick Pennisi's&nbsp;<em>PSR Big Camp Series</em>&nbsp;hosted at Monroe High School in Monroe, New Jersey. As I have come to expect, this event was packed with participation, loaded with talent, and ran extremely well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Different than other events, Pennisi opted to have three different check-in times, based on position groupings. This afforded me the opportunity to get a closer look at many of the prospects in attendance. Below are just some of my notes on the position group mentioned in this article's title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making the trip down from Teaneck was [player_tooltip player_id='432320' first='Darius' last='Denmark']. Denmark is a current sophomore who is just below 160lbs and looked like a solid runner and better athlete. One thing I wish for Denmark to take with him heading into next season is to carry the ball higher. I noticed that Denmark cradled the rock low, for my taste at least, which means it is less secure and a target for defenses ... At 5'8" 212lbs, Seton Hall Preps [player_tooltip player_id='1230512' first='Leonard' last='West'] was probably the biggest back in attendance. Profiling as a power back, camp settings are not necessarily the best setting for West to showcase what he does well. There were moments where I thought he struggled to separate and create space for himself. He is a prospect that I would much rather watch film on than see in a shorts and t-shirt camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a deep run that ended up as Group IV runners up, I had only covered Phillipsburg's [player_tooltip player_id='1189148' first='Sam' last='Dech'] without ever getting to see him live - until today that is. Dech showed that he extends well as a pass catcher, using the length of his arms well, and can catch with his hands. As the 'Liners are graduating much talent on offense, expect Dech to have a bigger role than his already huge role in the offense from last year... Local talent [player_tooltip player_id='1677789' first='Oscar' last='Duran'] from South Brunswick was someone I made notes on too. I suspect that Duran might be more of a rushing threat than a pass catcher. I thought his routes were ran a bit gingerly to be highly effective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there was one camp all-star, it is [player_tooltip player_id='1669131' first='Luke' last='Gialanella']. I have seen Gialanella at so many camps over the years now, he and I are on a first name basis. Amazingly enough, it is hard for me to believe that he is still has yet to play is junior campaign. Gialanella make his usual sharp, quick cuts. Perhaps what makes them so sudden is the fact that he gets low and bends well when doing so. He also has strong hands that can withstand contact and adjust to the ball when it is thrown behind him. Lastly, something I do not think I noticed during other exhibits of his skill, Gialanella looked outright dangerous when linebackers squared him up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The exception to today's article is Zyeare Schulters, a 2028 running back out of Brooklyn's Canarsie High School. Schulters, who has yet to complete his freshman school year, was one of the smaller rushers in attendance; however, what he lacks for in size, he makes up with low pad level and quick, light cuts in any direction. His size is used to its advantage, as we saw the Empire State product shift and move extremely well. One rep that really caught my attention, and showed his understanding of nuance, was on a swing route. Schulters ran his route a bit more bowed into the backfield to allow more natural space, as if you were going to throw a slant in front of it to force the corner make a decision. Aside from being a executed concretely as per the concept, this space Schulters made allowed him enough room to get create with the ball in his hands to make the pursuing linebacker whiff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PSR Big Camp Series, New Jersey Event Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-defensive-backs-volume-i">Defensive Backs, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-offensive-line-volume-i">Defensive Line, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-linebackers-volume-i">Linebackers, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-quarterbacks-volume-i">Quarterbacks, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-running-backs-volume-i">Running Backs, Volume 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->