Jersey Shore AYF 14U All-Star Tryouts: Notable RB/LBs

These are some of the players that I think showed great skills on the field Saturday afternoon but might be just on the outside of making the team. However, each of these players made enough plays and showed enough talent on the field for me to jot down multiple lines of notes for each of them. With some fine tuning and more physical development these players could turn into the names we become more familiar with over the next few seasons.   Make sure to check out the previous articles about the 2030-2031 classes and follow me on X at <a href="https://x.com/JonDavalosFB">@jondavalosFB</a> for up to date player evaluations! More from the 14u Tryouts to come!    Jake, a determined 2030 athlete, tried out for both running back and linebacker positions, showcasing his versatility and athleticism. However, I think his true calling might be as a safety. With his exceptional backpedal, low pad level, and smooth hip movement, Jake glided effortlessly across the field on Saturday, displaying the makings of a standout defensive back. His natural coverage abilities shine through, as he can cover a lot of ground, making him a promising asset in the secondary.     Ronald signed up for tryouts on the morning of the event and immediately made an impression, balling out early with explosive movements throughout the drills. Built like a linebacker or a power running back, his sturdy frame and relentless leg drive when meeting tacklers suggest he could develop into a bruiser of a runner. Ronald thrives on contact, always seeking to deliver the blow rather than absorb it, showcasing a fearless mentality. As he approaches high school, coaches see him as a high ceiling prospect, particularly at linebacker, where his physicality and aggressive style could make him a standout defender.     As soon as Daniel stepped onto the field, his linebacker build, marked by a broad upper body and solid frame, caught coaches' attention. Navigating between the bags, he displayed remarkable lateral quickness, moving with precision and agility. His ability to swiftly scrape and shadow running backs, mirroring their every move, highlighted his potential to dominate as a linebacker in middle school football and for years to come.    Donovan Pascal Jones: Toms River Warriors   Donovan, a swift and instinctive RB, blazed through the 40-yard dash with natural running ability. He also showing relentless effort throughout each drill, excelling when weaving through the bags. From start to finish, his speed never wavered, and he excelled in lateral drills, staying low without popping up and still maintaining his momentum. Unafraid of contact, Donovan's combination of agility, speed, and toughness marks him as a potential standout at running back, with the makings of a truly special talent.   Julian Smith: Allentown/Millstone Redbirds   Throughout the day, Julian's performance at the Jersey Shore 14u AYF tryouts grew increasingly impressive, seamlessly transitioning from the running back/linebacker session to the defensive back/wide receiver session. Despite his smaller, lean frame, he moved with remarkable swiftness, showcasing strong coverage abilities during live drills against wide receivers, hinting at his potential as a talented defensive back. As he adds more size, Julian could also shine as a running back. Additionally, he made an impact trying out as a wide receiver, securing several contested catches with solid reps, marking him as a versatile and promising athlete.   Brayden Williams: Point Pleasant Panthers   Brayden showcased his speed by navigating the cones with impressive quickness, effortlessly changing directions. His bigger frame suits a downhill running style, but his potential may shine brighter as a linebacker. While he struggled to open his hips during coverage drills, his raw athleticism suggests a high ceiling if he can refine his agility, making him a prospect to watch as he develops.   Jacob Friedmann: Freehold Revolution   With a leaner frame, Jacob displayed promising potential as a linebacker. During 1 on 1 drills with the running backs Jacob swiftly closed the distance, adeptly squaring up and securing full wrap-up tackles while driving his legs. He is sound technically, and as he adds on more size over the years Jacob will be a backer to monitor.

These are some of the players that I think showed great skills on the field Saturday afternoon but might be just on the outside of making the team. However, each of these players made enough plays and showed enough talent on the field for me to jot down multiple lines of notes for each of them. With some fine tuning and more physical development these players could turn into the names we become more familiar with over the next few seasons.