Reflecting on Who's Next: Key Players to Keep on Your Radar Pt: 2

A few weeks removed from the buzz and bright lights of the Who's Next middle school camp in New Jersey, the headlines have already circled the household names. This second installment shifts the focus to the under the radar competitors; the players who may not have arrived with hype, but left with attention. The ones who flashed quick-twitch explosiveness, instinctive football IQ, or relentless motor in key reps. These are the players that may not have all walked away with MVP honors, but impressed every scout and coach in attendance.    Carrying a familiar last name, Zander is poised to continue the standard set by his brother, [player_tooltip player_id='1087580' first='Thomas' last='Diemar'], who starred at Bernards High School, and his performance at Who's Next suggests he's well on his way. An athletic wide receiver with the frame and dimensions to make an impact on either side of the ball, Zander has already drawn praise from scouts for his upside. What stood out most at camp was his suddenness: he showcased sharp change of direction, advanced spatial awareness, and clocked the best 5-10-5 shuttle time of the event. That mark wasn't just a number, it reflected his lateral quickness, balance, and ability to generate power and accelerate out of breaks. With his physical tools and early momentum, he looks ready to step confidently into the spotlight.     Ajhahi Hamilton showed why he's a name worth tracking coming out of the Who's Next camp. The 2031 defensive back played with sharp instincts and confident technique throughout the day, highlighted by an immediate burst back upfield to break up a pass that showcased both awareness and acceleration.   In live drills, he was consistently sticky in coverage, mirroring receivers with disciplined footwork and staying tight on the hip through breaks. With another full year ahead of him, Hamilton has valuable time to continue refining his game, but the flashes he showed suggest his ceiling is trending upward.     It didn't take long to notice Chantz once drills got underway. A well-built linebacker with early physical development, he naturally stood out in position groups. Between the cones, he stayed disciplined, keeping his shoulders square to running backs and refusing to get faked out by flashy footwork or hesitation moves. While others bit on misdirection, Chantz trusted his keys and maintained balance through contact points. His combination of frame, composure, and movement skills gives him a strong foundation. Chantz' ability to pair size with control should keep him firmly on the radar.     [player_tooltip player_id='1627839' first='Jeyden' last='Thomas'] put together one of the more complete showings among the running backs in attendance. A well built back with a strong frame, he didn't just rely on physical presence, he separated himself with versatility. In route work, he looked comfortable and polished, running crisp patterns and proving he can be utilized as a legitimate option in the pass game rather than just a check down outlet. During testing, he may have been one of the most natural movers in the group, displaying clean mechanics and impressive linear speed in the 40 while maintaining smooth, nimble direction changes through the cone drills. Jeyden is a back who can impact the game in multiple phases.     From the first reps of the day, [player_tooltip player_id='1591304' first='Malachi' last='Daniels'] made sure people noticed. Though still undersized compared to some of his peers, he competed with relentless energy, going 100% every rep and never backing down from competition. In the open field, Malachi was especially dynamic. He is an elusive runner with the burst and instincts to make defenders miss in tight spaces. His motor, combined with natural playmaking ability, makes him one of the top running backs to keep track of next season. If his showing that weekend was any indication, he's building toward a very bright future.

A few weeks removed from the buzz and bright lights of the Who's Next middle school camp in New Jersey, the headlines have already circled the household names. This second installment shifts the focus to the under the radar competitors; the players who may not have arrived with hype, but left with attention. The ones who flashed quick-twitch explosiveness, instinctive football IQ, or relentless motor in key reps. These are the players that may not have all walked away with MVP honors, but impressed every scout and coach in attendance.