Returning Contributors: The East Orange Jaguars Defensive Skills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Always a talent-rich team, the East Orange Jaguars have been knocking on the door for a while now, finally kicking it down in 2021. Former Head Coach Rae Oliver got his taste of showmanship by riding off into the sunset with a 13-0 record and winning the North, Group V playoff bracket in an all-time thriller against Clifton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since then veteran New Jersey high school football coach, and influential leader of the state's coaches association, John Jacob – better known throughout the state as Jakes – has reigned in control. With records the last two years of 4-6 and 3-7, the Jaguars are a team on the prowl looking to pounce on a few early season victories to spur a playoff birth in 2024. Who exactly will they be leaning on to do so? Find out below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-offensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Offensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-piscataway-chiefs-skill-positions/">Piscataway Chiefs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-ridgewood-maroons-skills-line/">Ridgewood Maroons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-linemen/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-skills/">Westfield Blue Devils' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783902"],"_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_0_evaluation":"A prospect that I first saw on the camp circuit last spring, [player_tooltip player_id='783902' first='Darell' last='James'] had the breakthrough season he was working toward in 2023. Last fall James was credited with 90 tackles (11 solos) with 18 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recovers - one of which was a scoop u0026amp; score. What film shows is that James is used both off the edge as a traditional 5 with his hand in the dirt, in a 4i, or off the edge as a stand up backer; however, make no mistake about it: James is aggressively moving forward encroaching on your backfield. He does an really nice job for the Jaguars controlling his gap. He does this by getting hands on people in front of him, many times playing proper half-man leverage, and can fill the gap to either side. Tackling-wise, James does an outstanding job of tackling with his leverage, rolling up under several defenders. Dealing with oncoming kick out blockers are something James is starting to become more physical with. One clip we see him hard-joint to box - nearly taking the wind out of the puller - and pursuing the running back who foolishly bounced to the outside. As he prepares for the camp circuit this year (where I hope to see him out on the road), is improving his hand utilization when he plays. Yes, he gets hands on and locks out; however, shedding and hand fighting when pass rushing will elevate his game to another level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e918e4f187f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/6511c9e79af764f03040408e/Junior%20szn%20highlights%E2%9A%A1%EF%B8%8F","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e918e4f192f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201348"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Lining up opposite of James as his bookend is teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1201348' first='Ernst' last='Jeune']. The down-lineman does a nice job working his hands, particularly when pass rushing. Another pass rush skill I see inherent in Jeune's game is the ability to flip his hips. Perhaps the hardest thing for any young lineman to master, Jeune seems conscientious of this from his junior year - which is a very positive sign. For whatever reason I like Jeune's u003cemu003esecond u003c/emu003estep of his get off more than his first. Akin to James, Jeune does an outstanding job of getting his hands on the man in front of him to maintain gap control and will work the snatch occasionally to disengage blocks. Although he had a strong season with 22 tackles (2 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack, should Jeune improve upon this production as his reaction time improves and shows up on game days as his get off.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e918e4f198e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/65af4e3353e3fb1ceff5ce34/Ernst%20Jeune-%20Junior%20Year%20Highlights","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e918e4f19ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201349"],"_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_0_evaluation":"A returning linebacker, and a bit of a thumper, is [player_tooltip player_id='1201349' first='Abdoul' last='Kafando']. Kafando was credited with 54 tackles (10 solo) and 8 tackles for loss last year. Kafando tackles like a throwback mike backer. Ball carriers better be prepared because at any moment a ton of bricks can be propelled at you, wrapping you securing to the ground. Kafando does a nice job plugging gaps too. We see when he blitzes it seems more to take away a gap and force a bounce; and when playing back and to his gap he will fill the hole and secure it before joining the gang pursuit. Kickoff teams best have their head on a swivel too, as Kafando is looking for the highlight kill shot for unaware players flying to the ball. I would love to see Kafando improve his foot speed just a bit. He has the willpower and desire to chase sideline-to-sideline, but pairing that with his thump as a tackler and East Orange might have a modern-day 1950's style linebacker on their roster.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e918e4f1a06"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/65b8917eb04437be1f6c0ae1/Abdoul%20Ghany%20Kafando%20Sophmore%20Highlights%20","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e918e4f1a23"} /-->