More than 60 high school football players from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut put their skills on display under the guidance of 26 college position coaches and coordinators at the first high school football showcase of the year held by JF Sports Services at Western Connecticut University on May 22. All players were provided verified times and measurements by Zybek Sports, and the opportunity to spend nearly 3 hours learning from the area’s top college coaches.
Despite a chilly drizzle that left the turf at WestConn’s Westside Athletic Complex somewhat slick, players were able to document their speed and agility in the 40-yard dash, 3-cone drill, 5-10-5 agility test, broad jump and vertical jump, followed by position-specific drills and 7-on-7 drills.
On a night where a slightly slick turf was causing most players with challenges in making cuts and in acceleration, Sleepy Hollow junior running back Brayden Richardson led all players with an official 4.853-second mark in the 40-yard-dash, while Danbury junior running back Nazir Shoffner led all players with a top speed of 20.51 miles per hour. Richardson also recorded the quickest 3-cone time of 7.514 seconds while Kennedy Catholic junior receiver John DeScocio recorded the day’s best 5-10-5 agility time of 4.480 seconds.
Danbury junior defensive back Tristen Brewster led all participants in the broad jump, recording 114 inches – eclipsing Richardson’s jump by two inches. Meanwhile Danbury’s Shoffner recorded the top vertical jump of 38.5 inches, topping St. Francis Prep sophomore running back Matthew Monahan by an inch.
The Power Index, a measurement of a player’s ability to generate power, is determined by calculating the square root of a player’s body weight (in pounds) and multiplying it by the square root of their vertical jump height (in inches). Leading the way in this measurement was Archbishop Stepinac junior defensive lineman Elias Murray, with a Power Index score of 66.1. He was followed by Averill Park junior defensive lineman Ayden Banker, with a score of 66.0, and West Baylon junior offensive lineman Joshua Beaubrun, who scored 63.2.
To view the full set of reports, click here.
Verified Performance and Personal Connections
In addition to receiving their verified performance measurements from Zybek Sports, using the very same equipment (and even operated by the same staff) that has been used to time players at the NFL Draft for going in 15 years (and also used by former University of Colorado and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Shilo Sanders for his own “personal pro day” earlier this year), players spent meeting time with top college coaches in a meet-and-greet session, where they had a chance to get to know the coaches and make an impression.
“We had an exciting showcase featuring a mix of FCS, D2, and D3 college coaches who worked diligently on drills and testing while building relationships with our players,” said Jerry Flora, founder of JF Sport Services and the JF Showcases. “One player even received a D3 offer after the event, and several others are now on the radar of teams from Rhode Island, Wagner, and Maine thanks to their participation in our showcase.”
With a player-to-coach ratio of under 3, the opportunity for players to make an impression and connect with college coaches and recruiters was evident. According to Flora, although the JF Showcases are on their way to taking their place among the region’s top high school football prospect events, his focus is always on quality. Flora said the focus of the JF Showcases is providing players with a chance to make an impression on – and learn from – coaches, colleges and universities that present a greatest opportunity for players in the region.
“Our players benefited from numerous repetitions while working in small groups, unlike larger mega camps with big position groups,” Flora said. Additionally, Mike and Sharon Weinstein from Zybek contributed the final piece by providing verified data and rolling out their power index, which ranks players based on body composition, testing measurements, and overall testing data. We had seven linemen break into the top ten at our showcase.”
The next JF Sports high school football prospect showcase is scheduled for Monday, July 14 at Kean University in Union Township, NJ. For more information and to register, click here.
Colleges / Universities and coaches attending the JF Sports High School football Showcase at Western Connecticut University:
Western Connecticut University
Andrew Hennessey – Showcase Head Coach – Offensive Line
Kevin Jones – Interim Head Football Coach
Donovan LeBlanc – Defensive Line
Keion Jones – Wide Receivers
Conor Pawlak – Safeties
Mike Lago – Running Backs
Curry College
Todd Parsons – Head Football Coach
University of Rhode Island
Ryan McCormack – Director of Scouting
American International University
Dan Wollman – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Dean College
Nick Crowley – Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
Wilkes University
Heath Hoovler – Special Teams Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Darian Bryant – Offensive Line
Edinboro University
Zack Griffith – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Eastern University
Colin Scott – Co-OC/Recruiting Coordinator – Offensive Line Coach
Holy Cross
Wes Elliot – Running Backs
Wagner College
Domenic Isabell – Defensive Backs
University of New Haven
Drew Cirino – Defensive Backs
Post University
Shawn Robinson – Cornerbacks
Pace University
Paul Bachia – Tight Ends
Utica College
Tommy Woodburn – Kickers/Punter/Specialist
Dean College
Noah Person – Outside Linebackers
Chris Redding – Tight Ends & Wide Receivers
Bridgewater State University
Matt Girard – Tight Ends
Norwich University
PJ Arcuri – Outside Linebackers
Cortland University
Scott Klami – Director of Football Operations
Photo Credit: Gladstone Harris