Who are the most highly-recruited football prospects in New Jersey as we move into the 2018 recruiting cycle? Find out inside.
NJ Advance Media presents the Jan. 12 update of the NJ.com Top 50, a ranking of the top 50 high school football recruits in New Jersey. Although the list encompasses the state's most highly-recruited prospects, grades 9 through 12, it is not specifically a list of the state’s top players, as that distinction is better reflected in our all-state and all-group teams, released in December of each year.
With so many talented players competing for just 50 slots, there is always a ton of competition for each and every spot. There is usually a good amount of movement in the year-end installation as on-field production and achievements play a factor in separating recruits clumped together throughout certain areas of the list, as well as breaking ties.
See below for a complete explanation of how we derived our selections. And click through the gallery above for updated photos of members of the NJ.com Top 50.
Breaking down the top 5
It's a senior affair as upperclassmen boast the top five spots in the 2016-17 season-ending NJ.com Top 50. This is the last hurrah for the 2017 class as they will be removed from the list moving forward, allowing the state's top underclassmen to fill the void vacated by college football's soon-to-be freshmen.
But the following seniors have truly left their mark and established themselves as a handful of the country's truly elite recruits.
Micah Clark — a 6-5, 270-pound four-star offensive tackle — led St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.) the to a 10-1 record and berth in the Non-public Group 3 semifinals, where the Lancers fell to N.J.'s eventual team of the year, the St. Joseph (Mont.) Green Knights.
Clark set a firm edge, protecting both a pro-style and a dual-threat quarterback and pancaking opposition from his right tackle post throughout his senior campaign. He also displayed versatility in his situational defensive tackle role, accumulating 49 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles, while drawing double and triple teams, allowing fellow defenders to make plays.
His contributions earned him a first-team all-state selection and the distinction of the Shore's top offensive lineman. But best of all, it enabled him retain the top spot in the NJ.com Top 50, despite a number of strong performances by elite company throughout the state.
Also an explosive volleyball player, Clark went from the gridiron to the wrestling mat, although forced to cut short his season — currently 5-1 — as he's already signed his Big Ten letter and will ascend to Rutgers on Jan. 15 as an early enrollee.
"It's a dream come true just to see everyone support me through this process. I couldn't have asked for a better family than my SJV family and my own family and everyone coming out to support me," Clark said. "Just going to Rutgers on constant visits, getting a feel for the coaches and the players and really getting to connect with them and building that family bond. And with the fans of Rutgers, they really did it, too."
Paramus (N.J.) Catholic linebacker Drew Singleton — the state's top player two quarters ago — held on to the No. 2 spot despite missing all but one game in 2016 due to a torn ACL. But instead of holding his head, the four-star Michigan commit flourished in his leadership role and showed great determination to return to the field prior to the season's end. Although he'd never again play an active on-field role for the Paladins, the inspiration he provided played a role in PC attaining the 2016 Non-public Group 4 crown — defeating St. Peter's Prep 33-28 in the final — just one season after the team missed the playoffs altogether.
Meanwhile, The Hun's (Princeton, N.J.) Fred Hansard whipped himself back into shape and barely left the field in 2016. Now standing 6-3 and 305-pounds, the disruptive defensive tackle returned to his dominant ways after playing valiantly through injury as junior. Hansard accumulated 51 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries en rout to his third consecutive first-team All-Mid Atlantic Prep League selection, third consecutive MAPL title and second straight undefeated season. Also a Times of Trenton all-defense selection, Hansard further showcased his athleticism by running for a touchdown against rival Peddie School. Hansard, who flipped from Florida to Penn State since the last top 50 reshuffle, was also voted MAPL Defensive Player of the Year.
Cedar Creek's (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) Bo Melton fought through an injury-plagued start to the season to produce one of the stronger finishes the state has seen from a skill player over the years. The four-star and first-team all-state selection will leave for Rutgers this summer, coming off a campaign in which he led his team to a 10-2 record and South Group 2 finals berth, where his team fell to West Deptford, 19-13. In 2016, the 6-1, 185-pounder caught 51 passes for 766 yards and nine receiving TDs to go along with 451 rushing yard and seven scores on the ground, leaving a strong legacy at Creek, which just began its program in 2011.
Rounding out the top five is 6-3, 205-pound athlete Markquese Bell who recently committed to Maryland during the 2017 Under Armour All-American game (which he participated in). After choosing to remain at Bridgeton his senior year, despite having an offer to transfer to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Bell ended up a second-team all-state selection in 2016, accumulating 885 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs, 210 passing yards and two passing TDs (5 INTs), 44 receiving yards, 76 tackles (three for loss), two INTs, one forced fumble, three pass break-ups and a 96-yard kickoff return TD in 10 games in which the Bulldogs went 2-8. Bell projects to a number of positions on bot sides of the ball, and although a bit raw, projects to play on Sundays.
Breakdown by position
There are six quarterbacks, four running backs, eight wide receivers, no tight ends, nine offensive linemen, nine defensive linemen, seven linebackers, six defensive backs and one athlete on the list.
FBS breakdown
There are 29 players on the list currently committed to FBS schools. The Big Ten leads the way with 16 players committed to schools within the conference.
From the collegiate level, Rutgers leads the way with the most selections overall, as 10 players on the list have committed to the school. Penn State, Pitt and Boston College boast three commitments, apiece. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has two commitments in the Ademilola twins.
High school breakdown
St. Peter's Prep and Peddie School lead the way with five selections apiece, while St. Joseph (Mont.) has four. And Don Bosco Prep has three, while Bergen Catholic, Paramus Catholic, Cedar Creek and Mater Dei boast two, apiece.
Class breakdown
The list is composed of 32 seniors, 16 juniors and two sophomores.
The next 10 (in no particular order)...
PG-Sr. T.J. Rayam, DT, Peddie; Sr. Marcus Valdez, DE, Don Bosco; Sr. Zach Feagles, P, Ridgewood; Jr. Elijah McAllister, TE, Rumson-Fair Haven; Jr. Vinny DePalma, LB, DePaul; Jr. Evan Stewart, S, St. Joseph (Mont.); Jr. Tajadin Harris, WR, Palmyra; Jr. Matt Alaimo, TE, St. Joseph (Mont.); So. Joshua McKenzie, RB, Bergen Catholic; Fr. Jalen Berger, RB, Don Bosco
Honorable mention
PG Sr. Ryan Van DeMark, OT, The Hun; Sr. Liam Fornadel, OL, Don Bosco; Sr. Pete Nestrowitz, OL, Paramus Catholic; Sr. Javon Turner, WR, Paramus Catholic; Sr. Brendan Devera, LB, Wayne Hills; Sr. Jordan Scott, ATH, St. Joseph (Mont.); Sr. Devin Miller, TE, Metuchen; Sr. Rob Saulin, DL, Pennsville; Sr. Naijee Jones, CB, Timber Creek; Sr. Justin Davidovicz, K, Bridgewater-Raritan; Sr. Tony Brown, Jr., LB, Timber Creek; Sr. Chris DiTommaso, DT, Ramapo; Sr. Owen Kessler, DE, Westfield; Sr. Ja'Sir Taylor, ATH, Brick Township; Sr. Edward Isaiah Wingfield, WR, Lawrenceville; Sr. Chris Chukwuneke, RB, St. John Vianney; Sr. Elijah Barnwell, RB, Piscataway; Sr. L'Jeron Holder, WR, Manalapan; Sr. Tyler Parsons, CB, Woodrow Wilson; Sr. Jelani McCargo, LB, Woodrow Wilson; Sr. Jamaal Beaty, OL, St. John Vianney; Sr. Ryan Dickens, LB, Raritan; Sr. Jadan Blue, WR, Peddie; Sr.; Sr. Tyler Hayek, WR, Wayne Hills; Sr. J.P. Roane, WR, Deptford Township; Sr. Mike Ruane, LB, Rumson Fair-Haven; Jr. Lancine Turay, DL/OL, Irvington; Jr. Nick Dennuci, LB, Pope John; Jr. Evan Lovell, OG, Peddie; Jr. Clayton Scott, RB, Millville; Jr. Jackson Parham, WR, Hillsborough; Jr. Henry Pearson, TE, Paramus Catholic; Jr. Bartek Rybka, DT, Paramus Catholic; Jr. George Pearson, QB, Mater Dei (Middletown, N.J.); Jr. Kevin Brennan, ATH, Don Bosco; Jr. Shelton Applewhite, ATH, DePaul; Jr. Daniel Webb, ATH, Montclair; So. Rahmir Johnson, RB, Bergen Catholic ; So. Nyquee Hawkins, DB, Orange; So. Stanley King, TE, Woodrow Wilson
Scroll up for the Top 50 chart.
Methodology
The NJ.com Top 50 rankings take into consideration collegiate potential as reflected in FBS (formerly known as Division 1A) scholarship offers, the number and caliber of interested schools and prospect's potential at the highest level of competition. Hence, participants must have at least one FBS offer (better known as Division 1A) to qualify for the list.
Updates to the order of the list are made quarterly, each placing weight on different factors most relevant at the time of the update.
The final update representing the 2016-17 season (this one ) occurs following the football season, where individual and team success some of the top prospects in the state have attained on the gridiron plays a but more of a factor than in other updates.
The first update of the 2018 recruiting cycle occurs a couple months after National Signing Day (around April), and is a preliminary list of the top projected recruits in the state, following the departure of its top seniors.
The next update occurs at the conclusion of the spring evaluation period and is based on the caliber of recruiting attention and offers prospects receive, as well as off-season performances — the volume of camps and combines attended and outcome of those events.
The next succeeding update occurs at the conclusion of summer, as the high school football season commences. Most of the weight for this list is placed on the players’ accomplishments throughout the entire off-season – the offers they receive, camp/combine results and the overall improvements they've made leading into the season.
Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TodderickHunt. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.