2025 AYF Nationals: Brick City Lions 12U (NJ) Prospect Report

After making it down to AYF Nationals last year as an 11U group, the 2025 Brick City Lions 12U had high expectations for the trip South -- but it didn't go as planned.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2174/register/whos-next-exposure-camp-new-jersey">PRZ Next New Jersey Middle School Camp - January 24th | Click to Sign Up</a></h2>   The five-time defending Regional Champions drew a tough opening round game with a familiar foe in the form of Philly Blackhawks. The Blackhawks, who eventually went on to win the National Championship, topped Brick City 30-6. It didn't get any easier/better for the Newark-based program in their second game, as they were shut out by the DMV Legends en route to the Legends finishing 3rd in the bracket. Regardless of the outcome at Naples, a blind man could look at this team and see that there are a number of very impressive prospects. Here's a look at some of the athletes to know off this team.    If I'm working in the Recruiting Department of any school that recruits kids out of New Jersey, I'm doing whatever I can to get in touch with, and start to build a relationship with [player_tooltip player_id='2086332' first='Amari' last='Parker']...ASAP. At this point he checks every box and looks like the next elite Edge player coming out of the Garden State. He was the very first player that caught my eye when watching this team warm up in Nationals. He looks nearly identical to how former <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2174/register/whos-next-exposure-camp-new-jersey">PRZ Next New Jersey Middle School Camp</a> MVP, [player_tooltip player_id='836216' first='Jackson' last='Vaughn'], looked when he was in middle school. While Parker doesn't have the 40+ offers that Vaughn has yet, I firmly believe he is on his way. He has it all physically at this point and is equally dominant against the run and the pass. In terms of intangibles, he's a team captain and looks/plays angry. I can't say enough good things about Parker and would be shocked if he's not offered before he starts his high school career.     One of the many skill position players on this team, Postell is very good right now and is on his way to being great, based from what I have seen. While he can, and does play offense, Postell looks like a natural in the defensive secondary. Part ballhawk and part terminator as a Safety. Plays with range and the ability to make plays on the ball as a Centerfielder. The most impressive part of his game is his physical style. Plays strong to fight off the blocking attempts of Wide Receivers and aid in run support. He also lives for the kill-shot if a Wide Receiver unassumingly crosses the middle. The son of the Head Coach, he seemingly sees and understands the game differently than others too.     One of the first prospects that caught my eye on this team during warmups before their opening game against the Philly Blackhawks. Aside from wearing the only blue helmet, as oppose to a sliver one dawning the traditional blue Lions decal, Lytle also stood out with his ball skills. As a Cornerback he truly plays, as the rule states, as if he has the same right to the ball as the Wide Receiver he covers. Uses a longer frame and arms to blanket receivers. While in coverage, he does an elite job at high pointing the ball and is able to reel in an INT at any time.     Anthony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham are all Hall of Fame Tight Ends (the first two are already in there) and the trio were also standout basketball players. Brick City's [player_tooltip player_id='2086278' first='CJ' last='Herrig'] is very much cut from the same mold. Herrig, who is nicknamed "Megatron", is a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. Comes with excellent size and athletic ability. The basketball skills translate to the gridiron in terms of hand-eye coordination, ability to jump and body control. On top of that, he's physically strong enough to line up tight with his hand in the dirt and block if he needs to. Obviously no one can predict just how tall he'll grow to be, but he looks destined to be a special TE in the state.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2174/register/whos-next-exposure-camp-new-jersey">PRZ Next New Jersey Middle School Camp - January 24th | Click to Sign Up</a></h2>    Another kid that passed the eye test right away. A tremendous build and physical at the point of attack. Plays both Linebacker and Running Back, but despite what side of the ball he's on, plays with the same mentality. Power, agility and balance separate him from a lot of other players at the stage. Understands playing with a low pad level and consistently runs through the face of the man in front of him. Speaking defensively, he uses his eyes well and tracks the ball carrier well, while navigating through the muck of the middle of the field.     The biggest prospect on this team, the nickname "Big 30" is very fitting for this prospect. Out of any lineman on this team, Samuels may have the biggest upside of them all if he continues to develop. He looks as if he could start on the majority of high schools in New Jersey right now and still has at least one more year of pre-high schoool ball. Has all the physical tools needed to become a future D1 Offensive Lineman down the line -- height, weight, long arms. I project him to playing Guard at a high level down the line, but he also plays well along the Defensive Line at this point. Keep an eye on his development.     As the Quarterback of a team that only put up six points at Nationals, I can understand the surprised look to seeing QB1 on here. With that said, [player_tooltip player_id='2086236' first='Quadir' last='Pray'] was also QB1 for a team that averaged nearly 30 points a game during the regular season. The righty is a talented signal caller and has been surrounded by some very special playmakers at the skill positions. Another year of physical growth and maturation will only help him continue to ascend.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2174/register/whos-next-exposure-camp-new-jersey">PRZ Next New Jersey Middle School Camp - January 24th | Click to Sign Up</a></h2>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Brick City Lions 12U Notable Prospects</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2086522' first='Jace' last='Miller'] | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | 2031   [player_tooltip player_id='2086524' first='Jadarius' last='Richardson'] | Running Back/Defensive Back | 2031   [player_tooltip player_id='2086525' first='Jayden' last='Goodwin'] | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | 2031   [player_tooltip player_id='2086526' first='Asher' last='Whitehead'] | Offensive Line | 2031   [player_tooltip player_id='2086527' first='Christian' last='Olivera'] | Offensive Line | 2031   [player_tooltip player_id='2086528' first='Kaden' last='Scott'] | Defensive Back/Wide Receiver | 2031   [player_tooltip player_id='2086529' first='Samuel' last='Sowunmi'] | Edge/Athlete | 2031

After making it down to AYF Nationals last year as an 11U group, the 2025 Brick City Lions 12U had high expectations for the trip South -- but it didn't go as planned.