Jackson Vaughn Jackson Vaughn 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Bergen Catholic | 2028 State NJ headlines Day 1 at Battle at the Beach. The Bergen Catholic star is already regarded as New Jersey’s best defensive player and enters the season as the anchor of the Crusaders’ front. His polish as a pass rusher sets him apart, and he’s my preseason pick to lead the state in sacks.

Bergen Catholic faces East St. Louis, the top team in Illinois, which gives Vaughn the perfect chance to set the tone early. With 41 Division I offers, including Tennessee, Notre Dame, Penn State, Miami, and Michigan, all eyes will be on him to reaffirm his five-star billing. This matchup will be a statement opportunity for Vaughn to show why he’s one of the nation’s premier defensive linemen.

Jackson Vaughn Jackson Vaughn 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Bergen Catholic | 2028 State NJ made a statement as a freshman at Bergen Catholic, finishing with eight sacks and dominating in the state title game. Now a five‑star prospect with 25+ offers, he steps into an even bigger role on a reloading defensive line. With his blend of explosiveness, length, and polish, Vaughn is a real threat to hit double‑digit sacks and could very well pace New Jersey in sacks this season.

Jackson Vaughn closed out his freshman season with a bang. Not only did he cap the season off with a state championship, he was a big factor in that game en route to four sacks in the clinching game. Vaughn’s 8 minute film ought to be truncated, but it shows that he is a pass rushing specialist. In terms of his get off Vaughn’s second and third step are quick and devastating, enabling him to easily get around defenders. Technique is added to this element of speed as we see him dip & rip to finish. Vaughn’s body appears to go from low-to-high as he goes through the phases of his pass rush. Something very subtle he does, we see him work back toward the middle of the line when interior pass rushers get wide, showcasing his nuanced understanding to pass rush as a team. For his aged I would describe Vaughn’s hips are ahead-of-schedule since we see flashed of them at moments but not yet all the time. Although he had 8 sacks on the season film shows that he is constantly terrorizing and pressuring quarterbacks, looking to make a play on the ball when he does so. At moments Vaughn has been asked to play in space as a standup linebacker in obvious passing downs when Bergen Catholic went to a 3-man front. A few things I noticed that will aid Vaughn in climbing the rankings is that it appears that he might only play one side of the line and that in what I saw of his highlight tape I did not catch any clips of him defending the run.

In my championship game preview, I correctly predicted that in order for Don Bosco to win they would have to keep the Bergen Catholic pass rushers off balance. Well, the proof is in the pudding. Jackson Vaughn made 4 tackles in this contest, all of which were sacks. Not much of a coincidence, in my opinion, that Bergen Catholic won as a result.

This statement game caps off an outstanding freshman season on varsity. Vaughn finished the year with 16 tackles (10 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. With productivity like this against the state’s best competition at the age of 14 or 15, Vaughn is certain to be a top prospect in the state, if not the top prospect for years to come.

Freshman Jackson Vaughn delivered a game-changing performance in Bergen Catholic’s Non-Public A championship win. The explosive edge rusher recorded four sacks, wreaking havoc on Don Bosco’s offense. Vaughn’s blend of speed, power, and technical skill off the edge showcased why he’s already being mentioned as a potential four- or five-star prospect. His ability to consistently win with various pass-rush moves made him nearly unblockable. With dominant performances like this, Vaughn has cemented himself as one of the most promising defensive talents in the state and beyond, earning attention from major college programs like USC, Penn State, and Syracuse.

The most impactful defensive performance of the night came from Bergen Catholic’s freshman phenom, Jackson Vaughn. The edge rusher was unstoppable, showcasing size, speed, and advanced technique to dominate as a pass rusher. His presence disrupted Don Bosco’s offensive rhythm throughout the game.

Jackson’s performance hinted at his immense potential, solidifying his status as a future 4- or 5-star prospect. Recently, when he earned an offer from USC, Vaughn proved he has what it takes to play at the next level. In this championship game, he made it clear that he’s a name to watch in the coming years.

Jackson Vaughn, the freshman edge rusher, made his presence known from start to finish. Standing tall with a muscular, long frame, Vaughn looks every bit the part of a top-tier prospect, and his performance backs it up. Though new to the scene, he already holds ten offers and is quickly proving why. His game-clinching sack on St. Joe’s final drive showcased his ability to win one-on-one matchups in high-pressure moments. With his physical tools and early starting experience, Vaughn is on track to become one of the nation’s elite edge rushers as he gains more reps. The future looks incredibly bright for him.