Clax s junior-season run continues
Once the playoff run eventually concludes for Freehold Borough linebacker Jazzmar Clax, another season will begin. Clax will embark on a recruiting season where he is likely to receive plenty of attention. Even before that season has begun, colleges are already checking in on Clax.
"I'm hearing a lot from Rutgers, Miami and I'm even getting written letters from Joe Pa [Paterno]," said Clax. "A lot of schools want me to get my junior tape out to them and stay in touch with them."
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Clax has had a busy season playing both ways and leading Freehold Borough to a semi-final state championship game this Friday night against Wall. Last week, Clax's 150 rushing yards and 13 tackles helped Freehold make it out of the first round.
"I keep grinding, keep trying to get my team to the next level, which is playing at Rutgers [for a state championship]," said Clax.
On the season, Clax has over 100 tackles, 1 interception, 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. But the 6-foot, 225 pound linebacker's cerebral approach to the game may even trump his physical abilities.
"My biggest strength as a linebacker is being able to dissect plays as quickly as possible and being able to come up at a high speed and meet the running back in the backfield," said Clax.
Clax has excelled as a linebacker and, although he has also flourished as a running back this season, college coaches are recruiting him to play on the defensive side of the football.
"I definitely would like to play the MIKE at the next level because that's where I'm more comfortable," said Clax. "But if anything happens where they want to convert me to something else, I have no big deal with it."
Clax has also been posed with the question of what kind of defense he sees himself playing in at the next level.
"A lot of coaches ask me that," said Clax. "At my school, we run a 3-3-5. That's more of a West Virginia type defense. A lot of colleges really don't run that I could play in any type of defense though."
Clax is a prime candidate to reel in some offers after season as Michigan, Boston College, Pitt and Stanford are among the long list of schools eyeing him up. And once Clax has taken his Freehold team as far as it can go, he is looking to better familiarize himself with plenty of schools.
"I went to Michigan last year, I visited Rutgers and I visited Penn State last year too. I've really been busy trying to do things with my team. But after this season, I'll definitely be able to make moves to college."