PRZNJ Exposure Series: Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, May 16, Prep Redzone New Jersey was back in action in Jackson, New Jersey to host their 2026 Exposure Series. A small event, every prospect had more than enough reps to show their talent, call attention to themselves, and perform.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As usual, the first measure of a prospect is to the naked eye. Below are a list of prospects who passed my eye test. In my estimation, these prospects appear physically ready to hold their own on a collegiate football field if they were to step on it today.</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":["2206327"],"_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-6a199dc11bb4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Out of Newark, Elijah Musa was one of the more athletic defensive backs in attendance. Musa was super-quick when getting down hill, albeit I thought he had an opportunity to lower his pad level when doing so. During indy he made a showboat catch, doing so with one hand while turning around. Later on during competition, Musa had an excellent rep. In position to play bump-and-run, he stuck with his matchup the entire way. When an under thrown ball was delivered, he boxed out his assignment only to drop what should have been a clear pick. Despite the finish, this was an extremely technically sound play. Lastly, he does an outstanding job competing for the ball at its apex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2208732"],"_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-6a199dc11bb86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If there was one prospect who was clearly a safety, it was Justin Burch. Burch, out of Old Bridge, was simply not as fluid when changing direction and his feet were not nearly as smooth as his counterparts today. Despite tracking the ball over his shoulder well, Burch can improve his ability to high point the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205789"],"_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-6a199dc11bbaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The youngest prospect in attendance was St. Peter's Alexandwer Whelan. Unfortunately at this event his youth showed. Whelan needs a bit more time to develop, athletically at least, to compete with the more seasoned prospects at the high school level. One quick fix for him would be to stay square to his opponent when defending; whereas a bright spot to his game was that he continually plays through the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690044"],"_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-6a199dc11bbc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my opinion, Nysir Golden was the best defensive back, and arguably overall prospect, in attendance. Golden showcased tight, sudden movement with excellent ability to change directions. Additionally, Golden demonstrated outstanding recovery speed and flashed his length as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2161844"],"_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-6a199dc11bbe6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps the next name we ought to know out of Winslow, Pierce Noel showed that he is, already, a solid player at the end of his freshman year. I thought that Noel was the most physical defensive back on the day, grabbing, reaching and clawing when defending, while often attacking the ball over the top. Improved pad level will help him move better, while correcting his eye placement will aid him in sticking with his matchup more consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Redzone New Jersey Exposure Series Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-the-eye-test">The Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-defensive-backs">Defensive Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->