Scouting the Shore: Top Receivers in Monmouth/Ocean County

USA Today recently put out their top seventy players set to take the field in New Jersey’s Shore Conference this Fall. A strong conference consisting of teams in Monmouth and Ocean county, the Shore is typically well represented on the state’s final weekend with group playoff contenders. After breaking down the list by position, we’ll take a look at not only the players ranked in our Red Zone top 100, but some of the under the radar players that could emerge in the rankings. Starting at wide receiver, three 2021 prospects made the conference rankings. Four other receivers and hybrid-type players were also highlighted, with scouting notes on them below. <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="27905" first="Naran" last="Buntin"], Mater Dei</strong> Buntin is committed to Kent State as the 47th overall player in our 2021 class and third among receivers. One of two receivers in the top twenty for USA Today, Buntin is the Shore’s 13th best player on this list. Buntin creates separation with ease, a fluid route runner with incredible body control to high point the ball and turn up field quickly for chunk plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27925" first="Zach" last="Goodale"], Toms River North</strong> Only two receivers in the state rank between Buntin and Goodale, and four players overall on the Asbury Park Press top 70. Our 67th best 2021 prospect, Goodale is a possession receiver with the long speed to take a top off the defense. Goodale’s soft hands make him a favorable red zone target. This isn’t a player that impresses with suddenness at the line of scrimmage, but makes up for it with the physique to box out defensive backs and track the ball downfield. <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="27947" first="Mikai" last="Brown-Jones"], Asbury Park</strong> Brown-Jones is the last receiver ranked in the Red Zone 2021 class, rounding out the position at 89th overall. The 28th player on the Shore top 70, Brown-Jones is a master of acrobatic catches with the length to give defensive backs problems on his release. When given the chance to separate vertically, Jones gets through the gears effortlessly, making him a threat to score from anywhere. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Under The Radar Wide Receivers</strong></span> The following players aren’t currently ranked in our statewide top 100 for either 2021 or 2022, but do appear in the conference rankings. <strong>2021 WR Jayon Farrar, Donovan Catholic </strong> Farrar is the second ranked skill position player from APP, and fourth overall on their countdown. New to the Donovan program as a transfer out of a high-powered Long Branch offense, Farrar brings a versatile skill set to Toms River this fall. Excelling at getting defensive backs’ hands off of him, Farrar wins free releases and catches everything within a shout. Capable of lining up out wide and using his big frame to his advantage or using his precise route running to win out of the slot, Farrar will be a featured weapon for a loaded Donovan offense this season. <strong>2021 WR Akhi Barksdale, Brick Memorial</strong> The 16th ranked player from APP, Barksdale is a two-way standout for the always well drilled Brick Memorial Mustangs. At both receiver and defensive back, Barksdale has a nose for the football that jumps off film. This is a player that covers ground quickly and knows how to attack a defense with the ball in his hands. <strong>2021 WR Gordon Ogden, Red Bank Regional </strong> Ogden is a versatile receiver that was featured as a red zone threat for Red Bank Regional. A surging program in the Shore, Ogden is the latest do-it-all weapon for the Bucs offense. Easily beating defensive backs across the face, Ogden is a sharp route runner that catches the ball firmly away from his body and can turn up field quickly for extra yards. <strong>2020 WR Trevor Pruitt, Donovan Catholic</strong> The Griffins don't shy away from featuring their wide receivers in a spread offense, meaning Pruitt will have a chance to shine alongside Farrar. Pruitt is a threat through all three levels of a defense and will hang in the air to take balls away from defenders. <hr /> With a host of other 2023 prospects rounding out the Shore watch list, wide receiver is one position with no shortage of talent to scout this season. With many teams in the area taking drastically different approaches to their passing game, looking at the game through the eyes of these game breaking receivers can provide great insight on other Monmouth and Ocean prospects soon to be featured on the Red Zone!