AVC Football Mega Camp: Noteworthy Safeties, 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" />   With tons of talent at the safety position, let's get right to it... [player_tooltip player_id='1237598' first='Jack' last='DeMenna'] out of Don Bosco is a familiar name. Accompanied by his position Coach Markell Harrison, DeManna made his coach proud by having what he emphasized translate to the field. I thought DeManna was one of the best prospects in attendance in terms of playing receivers' hands. Yes, many other defenders did this; however, what made the 2026 safety so exception was that he actively and violently attacked their hands while doing so all the way through to the ground... With so many bodies and so much talent on hand, I was disappointed that I only got a single glimpse of Delbarton's [player_tooltip player_id='992003' first='Chaz' last='Cusimano']. As expected based on his film, Cusimano was perhaps one of the most fluid-moving, smooth athletes to compete. I really regret only having gotten to watch a single rep of his to make that single remark.   Perhaps [player_tooltip player_id='1695319' first='Patrick' last='Maignan'] made the trip to Kean University with his DePaul teammate Cusimano as both came out and balled. Although he seemed to be a bit shorter with short arms to press at the line, Maignan keyed receivers extremely well on 90-degree breaking routes.; against poor competition, however, he was able to press bad receivers at the line. This rising senior also used his hands well, keeping his hands on his opponents' hip and was able to run stride-for-stride with jut about everyone. That said, he should be mindful of how often he grabs on deep throws when he is in trail techique.   [player_tooltip player_id='1054150' first='Ian' last='Roberts'], formerly of Woobridge and currently or St. Thomas Aquinas, is a prospect that has popped up on the Twitter feed lately as he recently cleaned about 230lb+ or so. This weight room strength and athleticism appears to have translated to camp season. One rep that I caught of his, Roberts completely jammed his matchup into the sideline, dudding the play before it even got started. Later on, the 2026 prospect showed that he accepts the same challenge against much bigger and larger tight end types. this time with a strong pop and quicker feet, Roberts thwarted that release and rode his matchup, cloaking him like a blanket, throughout the rep - all the while having the presence of mind to get his hands off of him at just the right time. In addition to this demonstration of strength and discipline, Roberts proved that he has too much speed and quickness for bigger, slower types like that. Lastly, when forced to open up and run he proved more than adequate at that, while also jumping well to break up passes.   Always blessed to roster premier athletes, Cedar Creek sent [player_tooltip player_id='1547075' first='Ryan' last='Staton'] up to complete. I thought that Staton accelerated well and had strong eye discipline, keying his receivers body well through phases of their route to avoid getting faked. This approach to the game allowed Staton to be in optimal position to drive on and defend a comeback route, easily deflecting the pass. Perhaps what makes Staton a complete pass defender was that he played bump-and-run extremely well too. Showing that he was able to jam, recoil, and jam again, Staton shadowed receivers at the line extremely well.   Closing out is Weequahic High School's [player_tooltip player_id='1567192' first='Kareem' last='Anthony']. Anthony, a 2026 prospect, was a prospect that I actually caught a look at playing receiver, not his pre-registered position of safety. I thought that Anthony could stand to clean up his route running some. For my liking, there was just a bit too much movement in his route.   <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-cornerbacks">Noteworthy Cornerbacks</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-defensive-ends-part-i">Noteworthy Defensive Ends</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-linebackers-part-i">Noteworthy Linebackers</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-guards-centers-part-i">Noteworthy Offensive Guards & Centers</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-offensive-tackles-part-i">Noteworthy Offensive Tackles</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-quarterbacks-part-i">Noteworthy Quarterbacks</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-safeties-part-i">Noteworthy Safeties</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/avc-football-mega-camp-noteworthy-wide-receivers-part-i">Noteworthy Wide Receivers</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.