NJ Players in All American Games

Under Armour All-America Game- ESPN Thursday, Jan 2. at 4:00 p.m. Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Jabrill Peppers, Paramus Catholic, Michigan commit- The consensus five-star cornerback has dominated his whole high school career and that has continued during practice vs. other Under Armour All-Americans. ESPN has already aired several events leading up to the game on Thursday, Jan. 2 and Peppers has proven himself as expected. Peppers has all the tools to become a playmaker at the next level. Not to mention, he has helped put New Jersey on the map when it comes to high school football. He has a great attitude, does not have any particular weakness, and kills it when playing against top prospects. Peppers should make an impact in the game on both sides of the ball. He will start at cornerback for team Nitro and is expected to see some snaps in the wildcat formation.

Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Paramus Catholic, Michigan commit- Beatty is one who has been looked over by many. He definitely has a lot to show for. At 6’6, 320, Beatty possesses good size for an offensive tackle. He does a good job when it comes to pass protection. However, I do not think Beatty has reached his full potential. He must develop his footwork and should work on his strength and pad level. Beatty is a work in progress that deserves more recognition. For some reason, (I’m not sure why) Beatty was not voted first team all state or first team all county. Can he hang with the best? We shall see on Thursday when Beatty faces the nations best defensive lineman. 

Andrew Trumbetti, Demarest, Notre Dame commit-  The Notre-Dame bound defensive end has a lot to prove on Thursday. Trumbetti has the size at 6’5, 250 and speed, 4.6 40-yard dash to compete with the best offensive tackles. He has been a beast when it comes to rushing the quarterback. Thursday’s game will give Trumbetti a chance to prove himself among the best in the country. I think he can really make some plays and surprise a lot of people in this game.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl- NBC at 12:00 (noon) on Saturday, Jan 4 p.m. The Alamodome, San Antonio, TX 

Quenton Nelson, Red Bank Catholic, Notre Dame commit- The Notre-Dame bound offensive tackle helped Red Bank Catholic to a 10-1 record. The first team all-state selection by The Star-Ledger became a demon for any defensive opponent during his junior year. Nore Dame has a lot to look foward to in Nelson. At 6-5, 300, he was the recruited the heaviest in NJ behind Jabrill Peppers.

Offense-Defense Senior Bowl- Friday, Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. Citrus Bowl Stadium, Orlando, FL

Juwann Winfree, Dwight Morrow, Maryland commit- This is the Winfree’s first look at Division 1-bound opponents. Despite losing wide receiver Lee Hull at Maryand, Winfree has remained committed. He held offers from more than 20 schools including Georgia, Michigan State, and Nebraska prior to choosing Maryland on Sept. 20. Winfree has drawn comparisons to current Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs due to his ability to make plays. At 6’2, 180, He possesses the size and skill to become a threat in the ACC at Maryland.

Billy Ray Mitchell, Paramus Catholic, Virginia Tech commit– Mitchell knows how to get physical and has a lot to show for. He can get out on a linebacker. The Virginia Tech commit was one of the more sought after lineman from NJ in the class of 2014 after his recruitment process exploded in his junior year. He can play any position on the offensive line and long snap as well. At 6’4, 280 Mitchell has the size to match up with any Division 1 athlete. He can bench press 325 and moves well for his size. Virginia Tech has a lot to look foward to in Mitchell. Not to mention, he is as classy as they come.

David Njoku, Cedar Grove, undecided.-  Njoku has drawn more attention over the past few weeks due to the fact that he is undecided. The 6’4 wide receiver is one of the few highly sought after prospects left from NJ that has yet to chose a college. Shortly after attending Penn State’s overtime win over Michigan, Njoku decommited from Rutgers on Oct. 13. He currently holds offers from Miami, Boston College, Penn State and Rutgers. Njoku does a good job of was a second team all-state selection by the Star-Ledger.