There are likely few comeback stories this year better than that of Reynaldo Mercedes Reynaldo Mercedes 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Union City | 2025 State NJ . After missing nearly his entire junior campaign, Mercedes rolled up like he was flossing 26s to a 75 tackle (41 solo), 25 tackle for loss, 10 sack, and 1 forced fumble senior season. Even with a year lost and not playing varsity as a freshman, Mercedes calls it a career 124 tackles (72 solo), 41 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries in just two seasons played.

In the state final, Mercedes recorded 3 tackles (2 solo) and 1 sack. That sack, however, came on Toms River North’s first possession, forcing them to put after a 3-and-out. For the moment, it seized momentum for Mercedes’ Soaring Eagles.

Add Reynaldo Mercedes Reynaldo Mercedes 6'1" | 280 lbs | DL Union City | 2025 State NJ to the long list of quality linemen that Union City has to their ledger. A year removed from playing, Mercedes is a prospect that I expect the Soaring Eagles to ride into glory with. Mercedes plays with outstanding technique on double teams. Textbook style, you see Mercedes extend, barstool, sit, and swing his hips into the helping blocker. Closing speed is also something Mercedes possesses, showing enough of it for quarterbacks to feel him breath down their necks. An absolute worker, few have the drive that Mercedes has to, on a down-to-down basis, work to create penetration or establish a new line of scrimmage. In doing so, the big-bodied linemen creates a natural void for his linebacker to shoot through. At his absolute best, Mercedes shows that he can get into a pullers hip pocket and make a play behind the line of scrimmage.