Year-End Risers: Prospects Who Finished The Season Strong

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1476901"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693752ef4381a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players elevated their stock this season more than [player_tooltip player_id='1476901' first='Elias' last='Blocker']. After transferring from Absegami to Cedar Creek, he immediately proved the move was the right one. From the first game on, Blocker flashed as an explosive edge rusher with violent hands, a strong wingspan, and the ability to control offensive linemen at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blocker makes most of his impact as a run defender. He diagnoses quickly, sets a firm edge, and finishes one-on-one tackles in space or through contact. His championship-game showing against Old Tappan highlighted that growth — five tackles, including two for loss, and constant disruption in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">By season's end, Blocker totaled 14 tackles for loss and three sacks, cementing himself as one of the state's fastest-rising defensive prospects. With offers already on the table from Maine and Delaware State, he's trending upward heading into the offseason — and more programs are likely to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨'27 Cedar Creek Football🚨<br><br>DL/OL [player_tooltip player_id='1476901' first='Elias' last='Blocker'] (<a href="https://twitter.com/EliasBlocker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliasBlocker</a> )<br>6'5 245 lbs.<br><br>🚨50 tackles, 14 TFLs, 3 sacks<br>🚨VIOLENT hands, EXPLOSIVE get off, elite wingspan<br>🚨Holds multiple scholarship offers<br>🚨Multi-sport athlete, great athleticsm<br><br>Hudl: <a href="https://t.co/49vs4zHwjk">https://t.co/49vs4zHwjk</a> <a href="https://t.co/xJRghbsMFS">pic.twitter.com/xJRghbsMFS</a></p>&mdash; Cedar Creek Football (@cedar_football) <a href="https://twitter.com/cedar_football/status/1996766043344158832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1923138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69376fec82ab5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1923138' first='Eddie' last='McNair'] flashed early in the season, and it quickly became clear he's trending upward. He's an aggressive quarterback who isn't afraid to push the ball downfield, and even at his age, he already shows the confidence and playmaking instincts you want in a long-term prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNair is still learning the finer points of the position, but the tools are obvious. He escapes pressure, creates out of structure, and turns broken plays into explosive gains. As he matures mentally and physically, that improvisational ability will only sharpen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">By the time he enters his junior and senior seasons, McNair has a real chance to become one of New Jersey's more dynamic quarterbacks. The foundation is already in place — arm talent, aggressiveness, mobility — and his trajectory points straight up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My official hudl, highlight tape‼️<br>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1923138' first='Eddie' last='McNair'] C/O 2029🚨<br>994 All purpose yards🚨<br>10 total touchdowns 🚨, In 6 games <br>9-0🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/e_best6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@e_best6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachEvBT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachEvBT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachtmr2?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachtmr2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMarc23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMarc23</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bluehenduff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bluehenduff</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/omar_rogers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@omar_rogers</a> <a href="https://t.co/5DVdgZVGFD">pic.twitter.com/5DVdgZVGFD</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1923138' first='Eddie' last='McNair'] QB (@EddieMcNai11363) <a href="https://twitter.com/EddieMcNai11363/status/1993508681225318613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1141042"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69376fec82b3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Winslow keeps producing high-end wide receiver and defensive back talent, and [player_tooltip player_id='1141042' first='Mekhi' last='McNair'] is clearly the next name to watch. He made an immediate impact on special teams this year, forcing fumbles on kickoff coverage and making strong open-field tackles on punt units — effort plays that coaches love.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But his ceiling truly shows on the back end. At 6'2”, 170 pounds, McNair has all the traits of a do-it-all safety. He's long, rangy, and fluid enough to cover the slot, yet physically sufficient to work downhill and play in the box. His versatility jumps off the tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As he grows into his frame and adds more strength, McNair projects as the kind of safety who can line up anywhere — deep, slot, or in the run fit — and still produce. His arrow is pointing straight up, and he's shaping up to be one of New Jersey's most intriguing young defensive backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19993905/68ed9a324c1c4aa50a872aa9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69376fec82d5e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648970"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69376fec82e20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1648970' first='Kenan' last='Clymer'] put together a strong playoff run before Eastern's exit against Kingsway, and his rise as a defensive back became impossible to ignore. He showcased his length, size, and quick-twitch movement skills on the outside, consistently matching up with top receivers and staying in phase downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clymer's ball skills stood out on tape. He played through the hands, tracked the football well, and showed the speed to recover when receivers tried to separate. Beyond that, he proved he's not just a cover corner — he triggered downhill, showed solid tackling technique, and wasn't afraid to get involved in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With his blend of instincts, footwork, physicality, and competitive toughness, Clymer checks every box you want in a rising senior defensive back. As he heads into his final year, he projects as one of the top defensive back prospects in New Jersey, and his trajectory continues pointing upward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Film<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_B_XXVII?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_B_XXVII</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ECCRSDFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ECCRSDFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Fowlkes41?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Fowlkes41</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NewWaveAthlete?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NewWaveAthlete</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rivals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrendanScoutsNJ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamieKGaymon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamieKGaymon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TJTRAININGDAY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TJTRAININGDAY</a> <a href="https://t.co/GUTUGb3Eb6">https://t.co/GUTUGb3Eb6</a> <a href="https://t.co/YNeCfayjPD">pic.twitter.com/YNeCfayjPD</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1648970' first='Kenan' last='Clymer'] (@KenanClymer) <a href="https://twitter.com/KenanClymer/status/1996990502676144565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910052"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69376fec82eb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Esa Wittingberg is quickly becoming one of the most coveted defensive line prospects in New Jersey's 2027 class. At 6'3”, 220 pounds, he brings rare explosiveness off the edge and pairs it with a surprisingly polished pass-rush toolkit for such a young prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wittingberg consistently wins with his first step, but what really separates him is his technique. He uses his hands at a high level — creating space, attacking the chest plate, and controlling reps with mature placement and timing. He also shows real bend around the edge, allowing him to flatten and finish plays in the backfield. Rep after rep, the consistency pops off the tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Orange had a historic season, finishing the regular season undefeated, and Wittingberg played a significant role in that success. With his blend of size, twitch, and technical ability, he'll be a focal point again next fall as EO looks to repeat its dominance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He already holds offers from NC State, Duke, Boston College, and Minnesota, and that list is only going to grow. Wittingberg's trajectory is firmly upward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23358739/68dd5681d22d3d7febb16675' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69376fec82f02"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->