AVC Football Mega Camp: Noteworthy Defensive Ends, Part I

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025 I was personally invited back for the third consecutive year by Fairleigh Dickinson University Head Football <a href="https://x.com/CoachAVC_FDU">Coach Anthony Van Curen</a> to cover his Football Mega Camp. With many other universities now following suit with mega camps of their own, Van Curen's is the O.G. in the area and, quite frankly, everyone is just biting off his style. However, at this point the term “mega” is probably an understatement to describe his event.   In what I would consider more of a celebration of the game, between the 560+ prospects registered, 100+ college coaches watching, clinicians, parents, and high school staffs there were literally around 1000 people coming out to compete, make connections, and enjoy an evening sample taste of football. As has become the norm for Van Curen's baby, the event was organized, structured, ran well, and was highly competitive.   In addition to eyeing prospects up, measuring their combine performances (40-yard dash, Pro Agility, Broad Jump), I was fortunate enough to receive unimpeded access to the grounds to evaluate and scout the talent on hand. In this article, I share my notes for the position group mentioned in its title.   Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a> for the latest updates in New Jersey high school football.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Making the trip up from Metuchen, [player_tooltip player_id='1198282' first='Jason' last='Gross'] had a very good showing which should excite Falcon fans. I saw Gross hit a disgusting spin & pin that he set up masterfully with the long arm. What really allowed him to get home on this move was how he struck his elbow to his opponent's back. I also thought that he did a great job of maintaining his speed while playing with a superior pad level. This tandem allowed him to get home with ease. An area I think that would propel Gross' game to the next level is if he can get his hips flipped more consistently... Speaking of pad level, Gross' St. Joseph teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1575746' first='John' last='Cummings'] got what I described as really low off of the edge in the few reps I saw. Cummings was a bit smaller for a defensive lineman, but perhaps he offers some versatility to their front as a standup edge/end/linebacker hybrid.   From a top combine performance to execution on the field worth writing about, [player_tooltip player_id='1476934' first='Logan' last='Knoetig']'s game translated well. As he ran the 40-yard dash, you saw Knoetig's body level elevate throughout the phases of the 40, allowing himself to attain a solid time. That same speed was his primary weapon as he pass rushes, giving himself a two-way to to either the inside or outside. Like many prospects this age, the Verona product would benefit from being mindful of flipping his hips. I also thought this Hillbilly was able to stop-and-start well and change direction with ease... Staying in the Super Football Conference, East Orange's [player_tooltip player_id='910052' first='Esa' last='Wittingburg'] repped his city proudly. In limited reps I caught, Wittingburg used speed to gain inside, recognized that, took it, and won.   For Marlboro's [player_tooltip player_id='1691859' first='Jacob' last='Bazerman'], there is much to like as the 2027 prospect looks to ascend and have a breakthrough campaign. Bazerman was conscientious in working to get his hps around when gaining the edge - something I typically have not seen much of prospects his age. Throughout his reps, Bazerman kept hand fighting his matchups' hands, demonstrating that he knows that they "cannot block what they cannot touch." Moreover, he must be mindful to finish through when executing the rip move. Lastly, alt hough he is capable of dipping his shoulder low to get around the edge, he should work to point his toes in the direction he wishes to go - the body will follow.   Closing out is an out-of-state prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='940970' first='Kurtis' last='Crossman'], who made the quick trip on I-78 East bound from Easton, PA to compete. Originally registered as a defensive end as his primary position, it seems as though Crossman crossed over to play tight end. What I saw was that Crossman high points the ball very well, utilizing his frame against shorter matchups. No matter how the ball was thrown - over thrown, too far ahead, or under thrown, Crossman was able to turn or box out his matchup with ease. An area for Crossman's game to continue to grow would be for the break of his route's stem to become sharper, as I thought they were a bit rounded. It would also benefit him to be more aware off exactly where he is on the field to secure catches in bounds.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">AVC Football Mega Camp Coverage</h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-offensive-prospect-eye-test">Eye Test: Defensive Prospects</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-offensive-prospect-eye-test-2">Eye Test: Offensive Prospects</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-top-combine-performers-offense">Top Combine Scores: Offense</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-top-combine-performers-defense-specials">Top Combine Scores: Defense + Specialists</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-defensive-ends-part-i">Noteworthy Defensive Ends</a>

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025 I was personally invited back for the third consecutive year by Fairleigh Dickinson University Head Football Coach Anthony Van Curen to cover his Football Mega Camp. With many other universities now following suit with mega camps of their own, Van Curen's is the O.G. in the area and, quite frankly, everyone is just biting off his style. However, at this point the term “mega” is probably an understatement to describe his event.