TKR Recruiting Notebook: 2022 Zone6ix Winter Showcase Edition
The New Jersey camp scene made a return on Sunday as Zone6ix Sports produced its second annual Winter Showcase at Iron Peak Sports and Events.
Zone6ix plans to host an invite only spring event in May, but a strong crop of rising seniors, juniors and sophomores took the field in Hillsborough last weekend.
Here were some of the top names on hand.
2023 QB Jack Grusser
Grusser has had a live arm and mobility for some time, but he has filled out in recent months and that’s why I think you’re seeing the offers begin to come in for the Ramapo (NJ) product. More zip can be seen on his throws and that will go a long way as he heads into his senior year. Bucknell, Connecticut, Georgetown, Harvard, Lafayette, Massachusetts and Old Dominion have offered, and at the least I’d expect more Group of Five scholarships to come his way.
2023 QB Champ Long
Like Grusser, the Maryland pledge has added muscle since the conclusion of the season. We saw plenty of fastballs and well-placed throws from Long on Sunday, as we usually do in a camp setting. His top receiver in Pittsburgh commit Zion Fowler was expected to camp but didn’t show, and if he had been there, Long’s chemistry and highlight reel would have been even more impressive.
2023 WR Ethan Acevedo
Acevedo is more of a pass catcher than a bruising ball carrier, but nonetheless, his skill set was on display on Sunday. He has great hands, he’s fast and he’s dynamic in the open field. Acevedo is one of a few Ironmen coming into next season a year older and looking to build off of a state championship appearance. He won the showcase’s MVP award.
2025 WR De’zie Jones
Jones is the complete package at wideout and he’s only a sophomore. He has hands, speed, he high points the ball and his most impressive trait especially at his age is his route-running ran. He ran crisply in routes on air, open-field one-on-ones and goalline one-on-ones. DePaul Catholic hasn’t seen a skill position athlete like him since Ronnie Hickman, who turned out to be pretty good.
2024 OL/DL Lamont Lester
The camp’s offensive MVP plays both ways at Waldwick, but his work on the offensive side of the ball was impressive considering the defensive line group on hand. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder had a defensive touchdown last season and should
2024 DL Jordan Thomas
At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Thomas has the frame to give any offensive lineman trouble, and it was the tackles on Sunday who had to deal with him. Thomas has a combination of size, speed and strength off the edge that colleges to no surprise are intrigued by. He has a dozen offers with many more to come.
2024 LB Jayden Brown
Brown was one of the best linebackers in attendance, flying across the field, taking good angles in the cat and mouse drill and making plays on the ball. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he has ideal size for a linebacker, and a strong sophomore season has led to offers from Connecticut and Maryland.
2023 DB Omar Ibrahim
There will be big shoes to fill in Union this fall as Ibrahim will look to replace Davison Igbinosun as the dominant presence in the secondary, but he’s certainly off to a good start. He has length at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and physicality he showed during the camp. The showcase’s defensive MVP has an offer from Akron.
Other names of note: 2024 QB Pat Grusser, 2025 QB Charlie LaMorte, 2025 QB Crew Colón, 2023 DL Kalu Uche, 2024 LB Zekai Wimberly
--------------------------------------------------------------
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel