Little Plays Big For Middletown, Smith is Gateway’s Gatekeeper

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my guiltiest pleasures when ranking prospects for Prep Redzone New Jersey is picking-and-choosing to highlight prospects that I thought had outstanding film. As part of our class of 2027 player rankings update, I get to highlight those prospects who put on a show with their highlight reels. Below are a handful of prospects who have film that left an impression on me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2044330"],"_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-69dd268eb9224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Middletown has traditionally been a strong football town, and the linebacking play of [player_tooltip player_id='2044330' first='Kade' last='Little'] ensures that this Monmouth County township's reputation carries on. A linebacker, Little bails to his drop while keeping his eyes glued on route runners. This combination allows him to be aggressive, jumping routes as he looks to make big plays on the ball. At the line of scrimmage, he shows advanced usage of his hands to shed blows. Moreover, at regular linebacker depth Little fits well, getting over the top or shooting the backside window as he reads front vs. backside with equal proficiency, and gator rolls well. When plugging a gap, Little lays it on thick, totally sticking opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1893381"],"_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-69dd268eb92b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Out of South Jersey's Gateway, [player_tooltip player_id='1893381' first='Lamar' last='Smith'] is a vital piece of their offense as the wing back. When opponents execute poor tackles, Smith shows balance and the ability to stay upright and on his feet. With a set of wheels, we see Smith show the ability to get behind defenses at times, mostly due to the fact that he sets up his blockers well. Smith also runs behind his pads, bent, and low. Film gives us the sense that he can turn up and also create for himself when toting the rock. Although I am unsure about the level of competition he plays, Smith has really good film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1969578"],"_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-69dd268eb9331"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An outstanding linebacker on one of the state's top programs, Treyvion Monroe suits up for DePaul. As if he wants to flex on his assignment, Monroe takes on running backs in pass protection with his entire body. However, when he is not blitzing, we see him keep his eyes peeled to the quarterback as he takes his drops. Monroe's drops were also impressive, as he demonstrated on film that he understands his depth as they play in relation to the routes he is covering. This comes in hand as we see Monroe cover #2 detached. At the line of scrimmage we see Monroe fight reach blocks well, setting in the edge. As a playmaker on the ball Monroe uses his hands to high point the ball well. Although Monroe is a versatile defender with explosive potential that maintains his tackling leverage and run fits, the last word on him is that he is a true ball disruptor. Monroe's tape does an excellent job forcing fumbles, breaking up passes, and disrupting blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2044396"],"_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-69dd268eb93a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is something about quality play at the nose that I enjoy. For Waldwick, [player_tooltip player_id='2044396' first='Logan' last='Feehan'] is a disruptor in the middle. Feehan has a great sense of pressure, as he feels it and appropriately fights against it and, eventually, finding a way to shed them in the process. Moreover, his active nature and athleticism allows him to split double teams pretty routinely. I also liked how he used his hands, as we see Feehan place them on the man in front of him and work them upwards into his opponent's grill. Also an offensive lineman, Feehan pulls well and keeps his head in a swivel to pick up any leakage. That said, I really like him as a nose, especially considering how tough he is, how he grabs cloth, and how well he uses his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New Jersey Class of 2027 Player Rankings Update</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/updated-2027-new-jersey-rankings">Official New. 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