2026 New Jersey Preseason Football Watch List - Defense
The 2026 season is almost here, and some of New Jersey’s best defensive talent is ready to set the tone. From dominant pass rushers and hard-hitting linebackers to lockdown defensive backs and disruptive playmakers, this group has the ability to change games from the other side of the ball. Our NJ Athletics 2026 Preseason Defensive Watch List highlights some of the top defenders to know heading into the new season.
Defensive Line
- Aaren Cirino, St. Peter’s Prep
- Adekunbi Adetayo, Shabazz
- Aiden Ekins, Don Bosco Prep
- Aiden Ezeiruaku, Glassboro
- Aidan O'Neil, Don Bosco Prep
- Al Dayrell, West Deptford
- Anthony Jackson, Highlands
- Anthony Nelson, Camden
- Asher Cummins, Red Bank Catholic
- Ben Eiferman, Shawnee
- Ben Gredell, Rumson-Fair Haven
- Cam Aime, St. Joseph Regional
- Cameron McClain, West Orange
- Carter Blattner, Northern Highlands
- Charlie Hughes, Don Bosco Prep
- Chaz Gray, St. Joseph Regional
- Elijah Montgomery, Phillipsburg
- Esa Wittingburg, East Orange
- Finn Boland, Toms River North
- Gabriel Palaganas, Washington Twp
- Ivan Padilla, Howell
- Jack Cummings, St. Joseph Metuchen
- Jaden Carrion, Paramus Catholic
- Jake Chapman, Ocean City
- Jasier Gray, Weequahic
- Jason Madden, Donovan Catholic
- Javon Lane, Atlantic City
- Jayden Beckley, St. Peter’s Prep
- Jayden Paulino, Passaic Tech
- Jaylen Eastman, Rahway
- Kenneth Hackney, Bergen Catholic
- Michael Beasley, Rancocas Valley
- MJ Woods, Lawrenceville
- Shaun George, Wayne Hills
- Sydney Padilla, West Orange
Linebackers
- Ahmad Williams, Newark Central
- AJ Reinso, Colonia
- Amara Dolleh, Camden Eastside
- Ausar Heard, Glassboro
- Bam Pelzer, Pennington
- Benji Carter, Winslow
- Colin Moore, Seton Hall Prep
- Cormac Flanagan, Haddonfield
- Cruz Araujo, Bergen Catholic
- Davon Barr, Glassboro
- Donte Shuler, Irvington
- Gregory Brown, Ridge
- Ian McDuffie, Passaic Tech
- Jack Baker, Toms River North
- Jack Hinspeter, Don Bosco
- Jack Schneider, Ramapo
- Jared Martini, Mount Olive
- Jaquan Robinson, Rahway
- Jayden Bennett, Bridgeton
- Jaylen Frias, St. Thomas Aquinas
- Jordan Peterson, Union City
- Kam'ron Morse, Toms River North
- Londyn Johnson, Burlington Township
- Luke Scaturro, Red Bank Catholic
- Matt McKeever, Summit
- Michael Berardesco, Don Bosco
- Mikahi Allen, Don Bosco Prep
- Nick Blanchard, Old Tappan
- Omar Kelly, Atlantic City
- Ta'sheem Butler, Glassboro
- Tahj Gray, St. Joseph Regional
- Teyvion Monroe, DePaul
- Tyler Fuscaldo, Dayton
- Zykir Best, Shabazz
Defensive Backs
- Adrian Woodward, St. Peter's Prep
- AJ Lopez, Paramus Catholic
- Amare Newell, Bergen Catholic
- Amiir Woodward, St. Peter's Prep
- Andrew Kratee, Winslow
- Austin Barrett, Paramus Catholic
- Chaz Cusimano, Paramus Catholic
- Chris Bailey, Notre Dame
- Chiemerie Attah, Sayreville
- Elijah Greene, Union
- Heath Reinhardt, Wall
- Isaac Parra, Washington Twp.
- Jael Hester, Donovan Catholic
- Jaden Days, Millville
- James Hampton, Somerville
- JJ Louis, Immaculata
- JoJo Delecce, Glassboro
- Jonathan Galette, St. Joseph Regional
- Justin Rosato, Middletown South
- Kam McBridge, Donovan Catholic
- Ka'ron Ceaser, Winslow
- Kenan Clymer, Eastern Regional
- Kenneth Sharperson, Morristown
- Kieran McGonnell, Red Bank Catholic
- Kyle Wise, Red Bank Catholic
- Luca Lentini, Kingsway
- Mar Cephas, Deptford
- Mekhi McNair, St. Augustine
- Michael Todisco, Holmdel
- Mikey McQueen, Rancocas Valley
- Nasir Richardson, Shabazz
- Nosym Brown, Shabazz
- Nysir Golden, Paramus Catholic
- Peter Troutman, DePaul
- Quinn Hayden, Immaculata
- Ryan Wooten, St. Peter's Prep
- Savion Jones, Millville
- Semaj Dozier, Pleasantville
- Sherwin Appiah, Sayreville
- Taylor Daniels, Seton Hall Prep
- Travis Miles, Hillside
- Tucker Kanning, Northern Highlands
- Ty'ire Clark, St. Peter's Prep
- Xavier Sabb, Glassboro
- Zamir Davis, West Deptford