PSR Big Camp Series, New Jersey: Defensive Line, Volume II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, May 10th, 2025 I was welcomed back for the third year in a row to cover <a href="https://x.com/ScoutNickP">Coach Nick Pennisi</a>'s <em>PSR Big Camp Series</em> 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:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ"><strong>Twitter</strong></a> 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>[player_tooltip player_id='1688979' first='Mario' last='Chape'] was listed at 6'1" 260 pounds; however, I thought that he had a lean frame with room to add on to it. The Teaneck prospect looks like a combo-defensive lineman who has the ability to play both inside and off the edge... As Warren Hill's [player_tooltip player_id='1263139' first='Nick' last='Riess'] prepares to enter his senior year, there is much promise and hope. I am unsure exactly how long he has been playing defensive line though. Riess showed that he has the right idea and a good approach to playing the position, but for whatever reason things just did not look necessarily natural.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although he registered as a defensive prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1688983' first='John' last='Brown'] appears to have switched over mid-camp to play some offense. Out of Clark's Arthur L. Johnson, Brown has a big opportunity to continue to grow and improve his game. There were instances where Brown should have "sat" when pass setting, rather than be in a constant retreat. Above all else, should Brown read this, I urge him to <strong>never </strong>duck his head when playing this game for fear of catastrophic injury. Our game can be played safely... From South Jersey, [player_tooltip player_id='1688984' first='Thomas' last='Wood'] came to lay the wood and show up some offensive prospects. Exactly what made Wood such a strong performer is likely a combination of things; however, I suspect the way he moved - so fluidly, with ease, and quickly - is what caused him to have such a good showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a large contingent of Soaring Eagles set to move on, flying off of the roof at Union City, [player_tooltip player_id='1085702' first='Adrian' last='Villalta'] has a tremendous opportunity to seize this upcoming senior season. Villalta's run-stuffing prowess and weight room strength translated over when pass rushing, as he did an outstanding job locking out - essentially bench pressing - his matchup off of him to create space to work. Later on I noted that he had his matchup beat, yet eventually lost that rep because he stopped his feet. I also think that if Villalta plays with a lower pad level he will be even more disruptive than he already showed... Sometimes pass rushing can be as easy and simple as apple pie. [player_tooltip player_id='1524810' first='Dante' last='Palladino'] got through and won a rep on an easy-does-it arm over. In what looked like a move that he has gotten plenty of reps with, the Montville product showed that the man who practices 1 kick 1,000 times is more dangerous than the man who practices 1,000 kicks 1 time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size, power, and strength seem to be the staples of [player_tooltip player_id='1688986' first='Damon' last='Swain']'s game. Swain, making the short trip over from Allentown, wasted no time at all working his matchups upwards and backwards. With his sheer size and raw strength, I noticed him walk opponents back with ease. As he does this, I would like to see him work to refit his hands for superior inside leverage moving forward... For [player_tooltip player_id='1688987' first='Sincere' last='Wilkins'] of Fort Lee, his ability to bend has some time to improve before the season starts. I noticed him bending at his waist rather than his knees. In changing where he bends, Wilkins' power angles will improve, his get off will speed up, and he will inherently become more explosive just by correctly activating the mechanics in the strongest part of the human body - his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To close out, a prospect who always tags me on Twitter and keeps me up to date with what is going on is [player_tooltip player_id='1305318' first='Tristan' last='Owen']. Aside from having a very busy camp schedule this season, the Camden Catholic product showed some very good things in person. Understanding angles, I first noticed Owen read an slide toward him, to which he attacked the weak, inside shoulder with a long arm, wedging enough space for him to get home for the win. Later on against a larger opponent, Owen showed that he understands leverage too. During this rep, the 2026 graduate snatched the bigger opponent to the ground as he noticed that his matchup was lunging, again, securing what looked like an easy victory.</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/2025/06/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-defensive-line-volume-ii">Defensive Line, Volume 2</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-offensive-line-volume-i">Offensive Line, 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-quarterbacks-volume-ii">Quarterbacks, Volume 2</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-running-backs-volume-i">Running Backs, Volume 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/psr-big-camp-series-new-jersey-wide-receivers-volume-i">Wide Receivers, Volume 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->