HACKENSACK, N.J. -- It was a few years since UC Report made its way to New Jersey and even though it was Mother's Day, a strong group of prospects descended on North Jersey to compete at Hackensack High.
The group on the line of scrimmage was particularly deep, but there was talent throughout the roster and 247Sports takes a look at the top performers as well as others who caught our eye Sunday.
Alpha Dog
Braintree (Mass.) Thayer offensive tackle Samson Okunlola was the top-rated prospect at the camp, and he did not disappoint. His athleticism and flexibility throughout his frame showed during drills and then he was dominant in his four one-on-one reps. He handled speed on the edge, moved well laterally on an inside move and his body control was impressive. Add in foot speed, lower body strength and strong technique and Okunlola, who is the No. 25 player in 247Sports'rankings, won the day.
Next Five Offense
OL Olaus Alinen, 2023, Windsor (Conn.) Loomis Chaffee: Alinen could have grabbed Alpha Dog honors. It was that close with Okunlola but there could be only one, so the No. 14 offensive tackle is the first player listed in this section. He went through all the testing, showed increased flexibility from the fall during drills and he was outstanding in one-on-ones. His initial punch was strong, he moved his feet, he was patient and for good measure, he brought a bit of nastiness to the one-on-one reps.
WR Chanz Wiggins, 2024, King George (Va.) High: The big-framed Wiggins, who is 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, has big hands and used them to secure passes with ease. His hands were strong, he was fluid and precise in his route running and at times he made catches look comfortable. He turned a few defensive backs and even when he was being held, he remained composed and used his body to shield the defender and make the play.
OL Joshua Miller, 2023, Chester (Va.) Life Christian (Penn State commit): A trimmed down Miller was light on his feet and his agility stood out during drills. He was able to bend and his lateral movement was impressive. He had a good battles during one-on-ones, and he did not shy away from competition. He sat in his base and was balanced in one-on-ones.
QB Dante Reno, 2024, Loomis Chaffee: It was a long day for Reno, but it did not show. He was one of the quarterbacks to arrive early to throw for the running backs before going through the quarterback throwing drills and then the one-ones with receivers and defensive backs. He showed arm strength, spun the ball well and he was accurate. When coverage was tight, he often put the ball only where the receiver could make a play on it. The son of Yale coach Tony Reno was business-like and well-drilled.
RB Jahiem White, 2023, York (Pa.) William Penn (West Virginia commit): It is not easy for running backs to make a mark in these settings but White did so, especially with his pass-catching prowess. He made a few spectacular catches in which he had to adjust to poorly thrown balls, turn and react and make a play either over a defender or in beating them to the ball. He was impressive as a pass catcher, and showed he will be able to move around in West Virginia's offense.
First Five Defense
DL, Jerod Smith, 2024, Loomis Chaffee: The No. 1 player in Connecticut's 2024 class and No. 55 player overall, Smith has a frame in which he can add plenty of size and strength, which is scary considering where he is at this point. He has flexibility throughout his frame and he was agile during drills. He moved effortlessly and was balanced. In one-on-ones, he was quick at the snap, changed direction well and played low.
DL Jacob Smith, 2024, Loomis Chaffee: Smith had the tough task of lining up against Okunlola for the first two one-on-one reps of the camp, but he did not shy away from it and showed he is more than just speed around the edge as he incorporated technique. His athleticism was noticeable throughout the camp, but the highlight came when he rushed around the edge and showed a ridiculous shoulder dip to go nearly untouched and into the backfield. He showed the skill worthy of being ranked No. 72 in his class.
DB Jaylen McClain, 2024, West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep: McClain showed is big-time talent early when going through drills. He flips his hips with ease, and he accelerates out of breaks well. In the one-on-ones, he was able to stay on the hip of the receiver and he had the speed to run down the field. He broke on the ball well and his instincts were strong.
DB Braylon Johnson, 2023, Highland Springs (Va.) High: Johnson could play safety or corner in college, and showed his man cover skills during the event. He was physical but without the holding that is often so much a part of the one-on-ones in such settings. He had closing speed and was able to flip his hips and run. He was kept tight coverage on out routes and on some crossing patterns.
DL Dylan Stewart, 2024, Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate: Stewart's frame is starting to fill out, and at 6-foot-5 and with length, that is a scary proposition for offensive lineman. He was able to sink his hips and explode during drills, and his foot speed stood out in bag drills. His athleticism was among the best for a player his size at the event. He moved fluidly and changed direction well.
Around the Camp
It was a tough call between White and Scranton (Pa.) Prep running back London Montgomery for the top performers list because Montgomery was also sensational. His speed was evident, he caught the ball well out of the backfield and his change of direction and burst all stood out. Montgomery was smooth and his body control was very good throughout testing, drills and the one-on-ones.
--Appomattox (Va.) County defensive back Jonathan Pennix was quick and accelerated well. He can flip his hips and he was physical at times.
His teammate, linebacker Tavorian Copeland, has length and he moved well in space. He showed body control and an ability to change direction.
--Laurel (Md.) St. Vincent Pallotti defensive back Mitchell Garner has a strong build and looks college ready from a strength standpoint.
--Long-time Maryland quarterback commit Robert Long of Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep loves to compete and is shows in how many events he attends. He was particularly sharp in throwing out passes and in getting the ball down the field quickly.
--Sewell (N.J.) Washington Township offensive lineman and Rutgers commit John Stone was flexible and his wrestling background makes sense given his flexibility and desire to compete.
--Reading (Pa.) Exeter offensive tackle Anthony Caccese flashed several times. He is long and he had a nice initial punch.
--Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More receiver Zion Tracy had a great day. His routes were crisp, he tracked the ball well and his hands were reliable.
--Receiver Jesse Ofurie of Danvers (Mass.) St. John's was sure-handed. He tracked the ball well and he ran some very good routes. He has has size and room for frame growth while already being strong.
--Avon (Conn.) Old Farms receiver Jackson Harper got out of his breaks quickly and was sure-handed. He was difficult to cover because of his quickness.
--Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate running back Ricardo Douglas excelled in the one-on-one passing portion. One one play, he spun a linebacker by sticking his left foot in the ground and cutting right for an easy catch.
--Norwalk (Conn.) High quarterback Shawn Brown had nice touch on deep balls down the sideline. He also stands tall and has a nice release point.
--A pair of class of 2024 defensive linemen flashed with an ability to fire off and they have the requisite frame. Midlothian (Va.) Manchester's Makai Byerson and Camden (N.J.) Woodrow Wilson's Fatim Diggs both could have big junior seasons if they continue to develop.
--Lawrence (N.J.) Notre Dame class of 2024 quarterback A.J. Surace had an effortless delivery and threw a catchable ball. He was accurate and he has arm strength.
--Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic's Tyler Burnham has offensive tackle length and displayed solid technique. He moved his feet well in drills.
--Offensive lineman Ryan Cory of Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland was able to anchor and use his lower body strength in one-on-ones. He was strong with his initial punch and his technique was sound.
--Pennsauken (N.J.) High running back Elijah Jennings was impressive with his change of direction and burst.
--Camden Wilson athlete William Love looks the part. He moved fast, was able to change directions well and he is athletic.
There was talent in the 2025 class as well.
---Omari Gaines of Sparta (N.J.) Pope John XXIII will get a lot of attention when his turn comes in. He has size, length and he is a high-level athlete. He plays corner and moves well, but he could grow into a linebacker -- he has that kind of length and size.
--Chesterfield (Va.) Matoaca defensive lineman Caleb Williams is every bit of 6-foot-5, and he has plenty of room for strength development. His athleticism showed during testing and drills.
--Edge Lorenzo Riddick of Glen Head (N.Y.) Long Island Lutheran will be a name to watch in the next year as his frame begins to fill out. He has length and speed, and he got off quickly at the snap. The burst is there.
--Bronx Cardinal Hayes quarterback Rich Belin showed arm strength and he threw some passes with perfect time and placement.
--Toms River (N.J.) North offensive tackle Ja'Elyne Matthews was light on his feet and quick. He has the size and athleticism to be a high-level recruit. He moved well laterally and he was able to bend.
--Running back John Forster of Montavle (N.J.) St. Joseph already has a strong build, and he showed his pass-catching prowess. His ability to impact the game as a runner and receiver was evident.
--Atco (N.J.) Winslow receiver Cameron Miller was fluid in his route running. He was comfortable at the top of routes, tracked the ball well and was sound technically.
--Jeff Exinor Jr. of Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh flashed time and again. He got open deep, ran great routes, has a strong build already and caught nearly everything thrown his way.
Award Winners and Game Invites
--A trio of Under Armour All-American Game invites in the 2024 class went out, and they are all teammates. Quarterback Dante Reno and defensive lineman Jerod Smith and Jacob Smith of Loomis Chaffee each were invited to the game.
--Another Loomis Chaffee standout, offensive tackle Olaus Alinen, as well as Braintree (Mass.) Thayer offensive tackle Samson Okunlola were each honored for their prior commitments to the Under Armour game.
--Quarterback Rich Belin of Bronx Cardinal Hayes won the award for most accurate while Maryland commit Robert Long of Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep was the MVP.
Defensive back Joey Lis of Ramsey (N.J.) High and receiver Zion Tracy of Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More were the other MVPs from the last session of the day.
--The linebacker MVPs when to Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco class of 2024 prospect Jayden Brown and Woodbury (N.J.) High's Derron Moore.
--Running back MVPs were Scranton (Pa.) Prep's London Montgomery and Carson Browne of Danvers (Mass.) St. John's.
--Defensive line MVPs were Richard James Jr. of Philadelphia St. Joseph's and Midlothian (Va.) Manchester's Makai Byerson.
--Offensive line MVPs were Okunlola and Chester (Va.) Life Christian's Joshua Miller, who is a Penn State commit.