2025 New Jersey Football Pre Season Watchlist

by NJ Athletics August 4, 2025

As the countdown to the 2025 New Jersey high school football season begins, we’re taking an early look at some of the top returning players across the state. Our preseason watch list highlights standout athletes at each position who are expected to play major roles for their teams this fall. From explosive quarterbacks and playmaking receivers to lockdown defenders and dominant linemen, these are the names to know heading into the new season. Here’s a look at the players we’ll be keeping a close eye on as the 2025 campaign gets ready to kick off.

Quarterbacks

Ahmad Jones, Camden
Anthony Salamone, St. Joseph Academy
Arique Fleming, Elizabeth
Brandon LaBanca, West Orange
Casey Grusser, Ramapo
Cole Aquino, Washington Twp
Crew Colon, Paramus Catholic
Dante Howell, Bridgeton
David Smith, Butler
Derek Zammit, DePaul
Dom Bracco, Phillipsburg
Jack O’Connell, Glassboro
Jalen Parker, Winslow
Jason Lajara, Brick Memorial
Johnny Franchini, Mainland
Josiah Boone, East Orange
Justin Scaramuzzo, St. Joseph (Metuchen)
Kahden Davis, Donovan Catholic
Lamar Best, St. Joseph Regional
Landon Pernell, Piscataway
Luke Irwin, Pope John
Mason Geis, St. Joseph Regional
Nolan Walsh, Bernard’s
Paul Jones III, Weequahic
Robbie O’Conner, Millville
Ryan Moye, Pingry
Ryan Stoehr, St. Augustine
Sayvien Adams, Rancocas Valley
Shane Hoover, Sparta
Ty Costabile, Holy Spirit
Tyler Bell, St. Peter’s Prep
Walker Snee, Bergen Catholic
Zachary Miceli, Old Tappan

Running Backs

Aamir Dunbar, Cedar Creek
Abdul Turay, St. Peter’s Prep
Ace Etienne, Manasquan
Aiden Dawkins, Millville
Alex Staten, Donovan Catholic
Brett Lundberg, Shawnee
Ca’Si Thomas, Don Bosco
Chance Fischer, Bayonne
Chase Enlow, Hun School
Christian Braxton, Camden
Chukwuma Odoh, Paramus Catholic
Colin Beeler, Washington Township
Davon Barr, Glassboro
Dante DeLuca, Don Bosco
Emmanuel De La Hoz, Weehawkin
Farad Green Jr., West Orange
Ian Mcduffie, Passaic Tech
Jackson Jankowicz, Hillsborough
Jameer Bellamy, Rancocas Valley
Jerron Martress, High Point
Jonah Glenn, Jackson Township
Justin Griffin, Passaic
Justin Mary, Riverside
Kadir Younge, Passaic Tech
Karon Ali, Winslow
KaRon Ceaser, Penns Grove
Kellen Murray, Rumson Fair-Haven
Keyshawn Bryant, St. Joseph Regional
Lucas Debiaso, Mainland
Najee Calhoun, Bergen Catholic
Najohn Eley, Irvington
Nakeem Powell, Winslow
Nick Salas, Roselle Park
Randall Blount, Pennsauken
Roman Coney, St. Augustine
Roman Duckett, Camden
Steven Klien, Westwood
Zaiden McDonald, Shabazz
Zaire Young, Piscataway
Zyeir Green, Timber Creek

Wide Receivers

Abel Paul, Livingston
AJ Larkin, DePaul
AJ Lopez Jr, Paramus Catholic
Alex Hanks, East Orange
Amari Jones, St. Peter’s Prep
Amari Sabb, Glassboro
Anthony Perez Jr, St. Thomas Aquinas
Bryan Porter, Bergen Catholic
Chris Miller, Cedar Grove
Daryl Smith, Bayonne
Don’Taye Thompson, Atlantic City
Hameed Kamara, Hillsborough
Hunter Watson, St. Peter’s Prep
Isaiah Alvarez, Don Bosco
Jahmir Campfield, Cedar Creek
Jake Blum, Mainland
Jasiah Brown, Morristown
Jayden Days, Millville
Joey Crescitelli, Old Tappan
Josiah Zayas, Piscataway
Jyair Moore, Washington Township
Malcolm Harrison, Rancocas Valley
Mason James, DePaul
Mekhi Parker, Glassboro
Nahjae Smith, Elizabeth
Nate Bailey, St. Joseph Regional
Nick Lagunowich, Chatham
Nyqir Helton, Winslow
Nyzier Matthews, Brick Memorial
Paris Pratt, Washington Township
Quayd Hendryx, Winslow
Reggie Holley, Millville
Salvitore Livoti, Ramapo
Sekou Toure, Pleasantville
Terrance Knighton, Rancocas Valley
TJ Bailey, Newark Central
TJ Maddox, Winslow
Ty’ire Clark, St. Peter’s Prep
Tyree Roane, Paul VI
Tyson Watkins, PCTI
Xavier Sabb, Glassboro
Zakai Murphy, Don Bosco

Tight Ends

Alex Reyes, Holmdel
Ben Ross, Seton Hall Prep
Brady Shust, St. Joseph Regional
Colt Lumpris, Lawrenceville
Conner Hepperlen, Lenape
David Moore, Piscataway
Donovan Samson, Phillipsburg
Jack Lund, Egg Harbor Twp
Jack Gyimesi, Rumson-Fair Haven
James Jackson, Millville
JT Geraci, Don Bosco
Kyle Helphenstine, St Augustine
Mike Mignone, Caldwell
Mike Fink, Manchester Twp
Quinn Hayden, Immaculata
Ricky Doppler, Rancocas Valley
Sean Currie, Lawrenceville
Shane Small, Old Tappan
Sydney Padilla, West Orange
Tom Myers, St. Joseph Metuchen

Offensive Lineman

Aidan Romero, CliftonAdrian Villalta, Union City
Andrew Wheeler, Newark Central
Amon Wright, Glassboro
Ben Lubin, Donovan Catholic
Cameron Greene, St. Augustine
Channon Johnson, St. Thomas Aquinas
Christian Alavarez, St. Joseph Regional
Dai’ryus Cancel, Shabazz
Isaiah Johnson, Millville
Jase Catullo, Chatham
Jayce Grays, Glassboro
Jojo White, Camden
Jordan Evans, Rancocas Valley
Justus Favata, Ramsey
Kai Pritchard, Donovan Catholic
Luke Dolan, Summit
Luke Van Auken, Delsea
Marlen Bright, DePaul
Mason Lafond, Paramus Catholic
Michael Gildea, Hun School
Oluwasemilore Olubobola, St. Peter’s Prep
Philip Hatfield, Winslow
Rhett Morris, Don Bosco
Richard Breitwesser, Passaic Valley
Rob Yakovchuk, St. John Vianney
Rocco Costello, Bergen Catholic
Roseby Lubintus, Timber Creek
Samuel Furr, West Orange
Shadeed Smith, Lyndhurst
Sidney Rouleau, Pennington School
Stephen Davidson, Washington Township
Wagley Auguste, West Orange

Defensive Lineman

Aidan O’Neil, Don Bosco
Anthony Jackson, Paul VI
Antwuan Rogers, Salem
Ben Carter, Winslow
Brandon Simmons Jr., Glassboro
C.J. Edwards, St. Joseph (Metuchen)
Camaj Matthews, Haddon Heights
Carter Blattner, Northern Highlands
Channon Johnson, St. Thomas Aquinas
Chaz Gray, St. Joseph Regional
Christian Alvarez, St. Joseph Regional
Damari Simeon, St. Augustine
David Ogunsola, Rancocas Valley
Elijah Satchell, Camden Eastside
Gabe Palaganas, Washington Township
Jackson Vaughn, Bergen Catholic
James Giammanco, Mount Olive
James Keneally, New Providence
Jaxon Pacheco, Brick Memorial
Jermaine Kinsler, Bergen Catholic
Ka’heem Hamilton Jr., Camden Eastside
Khalil Sutton, Union City
Logan Knoetig, Verona
Logan Nagle, DePaul
Lorenzo Tartamella, Red Bank Catholic
Luke Wafle, Hun School
Malachi Mills, Irvington
Max Mankins, Lawrence
Nick Costa, St. Augustine
Octavion Spence, Millville
Rob Carstarphen, WInslow
Robert Ekins, Don Bosco
Seth Clarke, Hun School
Shawn Baumann, Pope John
Tatum McBall, Mainland
Tommy Borgia, West Morris
Uyi Igiehon, Hillside
Xavier Paulino, Bayonne

Linebackers

Adam Shaw, Pascack Valley
AJ Revella, St. Joseph Regional
Andrew Avent, Rahway
Andrew Osborn, Washington Township
Anwar Witherspoon, St. Thomas Aquinas
Ausar Heard, Winslow
Brody Conway, Timber Creek
Bodie Maisano, Verona
Chase Hoag, Mainland
Christian Giordano, Livingston
Colin Osber, Point Pleasant Boro
Danny Breen, St. John Vianney
Danny Francis, St. Augustine
Dante Palladino, Montville
Donovan Linthicum, Oakcrest
Esa Wittingburg, East Orange
Gemaus Sackie, Burlington Twp
Jack Baker, Toms River North
Javier Guzman, Red Bank Catholic
Jayden Jones, Millville
Jaylen Robinson, Washington Township
Jerome Hayes Jr., Bayonne
Julien Jones, Colonia
Justin Valinotti, Old Bridge
Justus Peyton, Cedar Creek
Jordan Moreta, Paramus Catholic
Logan Monteyne, DePaul
Matthew Occhipinti, Don Bosco
Maximus Cocci, Egg Harbor
Michael Moro, Passaic Tech
Mikahi Allen, Don Bosco
Sam Conetta, Pope John
Steve Klein, Westwood
Tahj Gray, St. Joseph Regional
Tasheem Butler, Glassboro
Trey Tallmadge, Brick Memorial
Ty Watson, Holy Spirit

Defensive Backs

Amiir Woodward, Bergen Catholic
AJ Lopez Jr, Paramus Catholic
Alex Hanks, East Orange
Amari Sabb, Glassboro
Amiir Woodward, Bergen Catholic
Amori McNeil, Don Bosco
Austin Barrett, Paramus Catholic
Bryce Clark, St. Augustine
Bryce Flower, Wayne Valley
Chase Calarco, Northern Highlands
Chaz Cusimano, Delbarton
David Moore, West Orange
Deon McKinnon, Bayonne
Emanuel Gerena, Holy Spirit
Erik Worley, Winslow
Frenchmon Bethea, Cedar Creek
Gyan King, Cedar Creek
Ian McDuffie, PCTI
Ibn Muhammed, Camden
James Pemberton, Willingboro
Jasiah Brown, Morristown
Jaylin Jones, Morris Knolls
Jeremiah Russell, Bridgeton
Jonathan Galette, St. Joseph Regional
Jordan Rodriguez, St. Peter’s Prep
Jordan Thomas, Bergen Catholic
Julian Peterson, Winslow
KJ McClain, St. Joseph Regional
Liam Flynn, St. Augustine
Mekhi Armour, Weequahic
Michael Scalfani, Delbarton
Nahjae Smith, Elizabeth
Phoenix Evans, Don Bosco
Shermar Collins, Millville
Robert Minter, East Orange
Ryan Wooten, St. Peter’s Prep
Talib Shakir, Camden
Taylor Cartwright, Holy Spirit
Travis Miles, Hillside
Xavier Jackson, Bergen Catholic
Xavier Sabb, Glassboro
Zaiden Mcdonald, Shabazz

Kickers/Punters

Alexie Moreira, Phillipsburg
Blake Caruso, Red Bank Catholic
Brandon Falke, St. Thomas Aquinas
Caleb Delgado, Moorestown
Declan Farrell, Seton Hall Prep
Dominick Grunke, Montville
Gavin Pereira, Spotswood
Guytano Bartolomeo, Bergen Catholic
Jameson Hollander, Rancocas Valley
Joe Muzzillo, Jackson Township
Joe Spuicciarini, Bridgewater-Raritan
John Devir, Don Bosco
Luke Tanzola, St. Augustine
Matthew May, Wayne Hills
Mitch Carr, Immaculata
Nate Kashey, Mainland
Rashad Emanuel, Winslow
Ryan Sayles, DePaul
Sebastian Kovacs, Cedar Grove
Sebastian Swiatek, Notre Dame
Shane Palena, Delran
Tyler Zinkevich, Clearview
Victor Nogueira, Piscataway
Zack Burlingame, Kingsway