Prior Rank: 101
New Rank: 84
Increase: +17

Eahjay McAdams Eahjay McAdams 6'1" | 190 lbs | DL West Orange | 2025 State NJ versatility caused him to make a considerable leap in the rankings with this update. McAdams played at the second level, both inside and out, within West Orange’s 33 front this year. We see McAdams explode through the line and take very good angles to the ball. It is highly likely that McAdams is best used when he is not static and prowling around the front. With this full-head of steam ahead, McAdams is a maximum effort, maximum force type of player who uses that momentum to muddy the waters along the line of scrimmage. During the seldom motors when he is blocked, flashes of disengagement and destruction are demonstrated and he keeps plugging away. For as fast as he plays, he does recognize screens, too. He is a bit of a ‘tweener in college, but a good staff will find what he does well and find a role for McAdams.

84 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 1 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception

9-3 team record
81.49 Strength Index
53.03 Opponents’ Strength Index
#3 seed in North, Group V
Defeated in Sectional Final

Best game: 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery in 34-10 victory vs. Irvington

Worst game: 4 tackles in 41-12 victory vs. Bloomfield

Season Stats: 40 tackles, 8 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception

Best Game: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery vs. Irvington

Worst Game: 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss vs. Barringer

Case For:

Case Against:

One of the most explosive defenders you will find in northern New Jersey, Eahjay McAdams Eahjay McAdams 6'1" | 190 lbs | DL West Orange | 2025 State NJ is on a mission to prove he should be considered one of the top talents in the state. The total package for a linebacker, Eahjay really excelled in 2023 as he racked up 80 tackles and got to the QB 3 times. Extremely athletic and having an instinct for the ball, Eahjay is absolutely destructive to a offense’s game plan. It is scary to see how Eahjay plays the position. Very few players can fly around the field and cover ground as quickly as he can. He is one of those defenders that constantly has his feet moving, always prepared to move in any direction to make a big play.

Committing to Marshall in June, Eahjay is another one of those players that I think other programs will try to pry him away after they see what he does during his senior campaign.

Eahjay McAdams Eahjay McAdams 6'1" | 190 lbs | DL West Orange | 2025 State NJ is somewhat of a ‘tweener that is currently ranked as the #12 defensive linemen in the state, but would probably be ranked much higher if he was listed as a linebacker. On film we see that McAdams alternated between playing off the edge and at mike in West Orange’s 33 stack. Regardless of where he lined up, McAdams is way too fast for running backs to pick up. Moving a lot pre-snap, he is able to time his blitzes and shoot the backside window well when doing so. An absolute full speed, max effort type player, he will absolutely stick an opponent and work them backwards with textbook leg drive. The momentous force that he is, his motor has the ability to stonewall opponents in their tracks. Interestingly enough, for as downhill and full steam ahead that he is, he recognizes screens well and hustles back to them. A current Marshall commit, it will be interesting to see how and where the Mountaineers deploy McAdams this year – which may ultimately dictate where he gets ranked by season’s end.

Previous Ranking: Watch List

Current State Ranking: 105

Current Positional Ranking: 12

A player that is already well recognized at the D1 level, Eahjay McAdams Eahjay McAdams 6'1" | 190 lbs | DL West Orange | 2025 State NJ recently committed to Marshall, but will look to dominate on the field in 2024 and receive a few dozen more offers along the way. Eahjay flew all over the field in 2023, racking up 80 total tackles and finding the quarterback 3 times. Eahjay is much different from the other defenders on this list. While the other’s play more of the prototypical three point stance, edge rusher position, Eahjay is more of a hybrid athlete that not only can play up off of the edge but can also line up in a more traditional linebacker position. With that kind of versatility, Eahjay had a huge impact in both defending the run and pass last season.

Where Eahjay shines the most in his ability to recognize a play immediately after the snap and shoot the gap to make a big play for a loss. He is nimble in his approach, having the ability to sneak between the blockers and emerge in the backfield face-to-face with the runner. Eahjay’s talents don’t stop there, though. His quickness extends to the outside when in pursuit of runners heading for the perimeter. With the reach Eahjay is equipped with and the speed to go with it, he can run a RB down from behind and bring them to the ground before they ever get the chance for positive yardage. Marshall is getting an absolute stud in Eahjay McAdams Eahjay McAdams 6'1" | 190 lbs | DL West Orange | 2025 State NJ .