Darkhorse Candidates For NJ's DPOY Awards

[player_tooltip player_id='343145' first='Delaney' last='Fludd'] is an interior defensive lineman from Bergen Catholic that has been blossoming since his freshman year. Consistently improving each season, what immediately stands out is his leverage and relentless motor. He's a force in both run defense and pass rush.   Delaney excels as a run defender, using his hands to gain leverage and always being in the right position. He does a great job at blocking neutralization, making plays independently, and plugging gaps. He's known for making tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. However, his pass-rushing ability is what truly sets him apart. He might be the best pass-rushing interior defensive lineman in the state.   For Delaney to win one of New Jersey's Defensive Player of the Year awards, he has everything going for him. The notoriety, high-profile offers, and team success are all in his favor. He can take one of these awards if he can hit that 15-sack mark. Delaney already has offers from James Madison, Coastal Carolina, West Virginia, and Syracuse.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DFludd1/status/1723516598877630936 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1234274' first='Darwin' last='Walker'] from Cherokee High School, a 6'3”, 195-pound corner. Darwin has exceptional size for the position, boasting great length and a 195-pound frame that invites contact. He excels in the run defense, consistently making plays on the edge.   What sets Darwin apart is his all-around skill set as an outside corner and an overall defensive back. Mainland's Jamie Tyson won the award last year with eight interceptions. Darwin has the potential to follow in those footsteps. He gets plenty of opportunities in zone coverage, consistently creating ball production with over 10 pass breakups and two interceptions last year.   For Darwin to win one of New Jersey's Defensive Player of the Year awards, he needs to increase his interception count. Reaching the eight or nine range, along with maintaining his pass breakups, will be crucial. Furthermore, team success will play a significant role; Cherokee needs to win for him to be in contention.    Darwin is already catching the attention of Power 5 schools. He recently received a preferred walk-on offer from NC State. He also has offers from Bucknell, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/darwinwalk2025/status/1729592708363116692 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1117516' first='Braswell' last='Thomas'], Standing at 6'2” and weighing 190 pounds, Braswell is one of the more versatile defensive backs in the state. He is transitioning from Lower Cape May to Pleasantville this upcoming year. This move is a great opportunity for Braswell to showcase his all-around skills. He excels in the run defense, making plays on screens, while also covering on the outside and in the slot. As an all-around, do-it-all safety, he can make impactful plays on the back end as well.   Previously, Braswell lacked the correct platform and team success to shine for this type of award. However, at Pleasantville, he'll not only have the platform but also the potential for team success. This combination puts him in contention for one of New Jersey's Defensive Player of the Year awards. Braswell recently committed to Penn State, and capping his senior season with this award would be a fitting end to his high school career.       [player_tooltip player_id='846959' first='Darren' last='Ikinnagbon']'s rise from an unknown prospect to being ranked as the number one overall recruit in the state for the 2025 class is truly remarkable.    Boasting a 6'6” frame at 230 pounds, Darren has all the physical traits desired in a top-flight edge rusher. His standout feature is his athleticism and change of direction. When it comes to movement, there probably isn't a better edge rusher in the state.   With all the hype and notoriety behind him, including a commitment to the University of Georgia, Darren is set for a big year. If he can achieve 10 to 15 sacks, combining production with his athleticism and high-profile offers, he can elevate Hillside's success with his performance alone. Playing one of the highest-value positions in football, Darren is in prime position to compete for one of New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year awards.      [player_tooltip player_id='819155' first='Jayden' last='Loftin'] from Somerville stands out as a 6'4", 245-pound edge rusher who is incredibly twitchy and possesses a variety of pass-rush moves. He has a solid pass-rush plan and can dominate as a pass-rusher. I want to see him be more dominant in-game. Although this pick is a long shot, if Jayden becomes more dominant, he can position himself nicely to win this award.   His performance on the camp scene this year has been impressive, particularly in one-on-one reps. I want to see that translate into actual games, showcasing him as the dominant edge rusher he can be.   Somerville boasts enough talent with at least four Power 4 prospects on the roster, boosting Jayden's chances. Jayden has made a significant leap from playing at 205 pounds last year to 245 pounds this year. This increase in size translates to greater dominance in-game.   Jayden has recently gained a lot of notoriety, securing numerous SEC offers and committing to the University of Tennessee. With his rising profile, team success, and significant impact on his team's performance, Jayden can put himself in prime position to win one of New Jersey's Defensive Player of the Year awards. This season, he has the opportunity to prove he is one of the most dominant defensive players in all of New Jersey.   Jayden ended last year with six sacks. A player of his caliber should be near the double-digit mark. Anything over double digits will solidify his case for one of these defensive awards.