Scouting Notes: Running Backs from the Camp Circuit

<!-- 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":["1560919"],"_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-6a1d97d69971a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560919' first='Ethan' last='Martinez'] has had some strong fundamentals ingrained upon him. Foremost, Martinez holds his wrist to create an arm bar to protect the ball. As he gains a step and momentum, we see him dip his shoulder nicely to eliminate his contactable surface. Prior to making a cut, I noticed Martinez chop his feet to set himself up, a bit deliberately at times. Keying his opponent rather astutely, Martinez cut against the grain to exploit an over-aggressive linebacker. I surmise that the key to unlocking Martinez's game will be for him to learn to trust his speed. It seemed as though he was still working to figure that part of his game out as he is completing his freshman year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1506625"],"_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-6a1d97d69975d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>hard time drop, stop, and go; good qucik feeet gets legs up; took eye off ball on a toss, dropped it; shifty hips, back out; can cut a rug on high defender; very godo with shoulder fakes; can make hard jump cuts; most instinctual runner; dropped an open pass</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1666013"],"_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-6a1d97d699782"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Very small in size, but as fast as lightening, [player_tooltip player_id='1666013' first='Michael' last='Florentino'] was a back that I was a bit enamored with. Because of his stature, Florentino was able to run upright and still make low cuts. At his best, it appeared that he had springs in his cleats the way that could burst. Perhaps a product of his size, or perhaps a product of coaching, Florentino protects the ball with every rep that he takes. I would argue that he also possessed the best footwork of all the running backs in attendance. A natural runner, Florentino is fast, quick, and low to the ground. As such, he exploits aggressive defenders. He should, however, learn how to leverage and slow play his speed a bit more, setting up defenders to be even more out of position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1720187"],"_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-6a1d97d6997a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout all his drill work, I witnessed [player_tooltip player_id='1720187' first='Monroe' last='Passmore'] protect the ball. Up the sideline the Brearley product showed a burst of speed. A sturdy back, he also tracked the ball over his shoulder well, while fending off contact. Areas for Passmore to improve are sinking his hips and lowering his pad level. Doing so will allow his feet to be more consistent, control his body better, and improve his ability to stop-and-start.</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><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-defensive-line">Defensive Line</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-linebackers">Linebackers</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-offensive-linemen">Offensive Linemen</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-quarterbacks">Quarterbacks</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/prznj-exposure-series-running-backs-part-1">Running Backs, Part 1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prznj-exposure-series-wide-receivers">Wide Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->