Notable Highlights

2024 Season Highlights: OT • NT/#50/Wearing Navy Blue & White
Tackles: 97
TFL: 24
Sacks: 4
PAT Blocks: 2
Pancakes: 60

Section 2 – Class A Champions
Class A – 5th Team All State (2024)
Class A – 1st Team All – (2023 & 2024)
2nd Team Def Tackle All-Area
6x Scholar Athlete

Coach’s Evaluation

Evaluated by Jerry Flora
February 24, 2025
National Recruiter
Former College/High Head Football Coach
SMWW Alumni – Football GM/Scouting

Final Grade – 7.97

Athletic Ability/Flexibility/Agility/Explosiveness/Body Type – Ayden is an exceptional athlete for his size in the Class of 2026. His athletic build has enabled him to be a highly productive interior force. He has good footwork and, combined with his snap anticipation, can get off the ball and get his hands on offensive linemen first. His athletic ability is best described by his track and field experience in the spring of 2023, starting with 122 feet for discus and 37 feet for shot put, and ending the season with 152 feet for discus and 43 feet 11 inches for shot put, earning him a Suburban Council All-Star. He has the flexibility to bend his knees and sink his hips, allowing him to play with a good base and leverage, which helps him play stronger than his 280-pound weight would suggest.. (8.9)

Play Against the Run – Ayden has been consistently productive against the run. He does a good job of taking on 1-on-1 offensive line run blocks and is strong at the point of attack. He keeps his knees bent to maintain good leverage while using his hands well to lock out blockers. Ayden can shake off blockers and make tackles on inside runs towards him. He shows quick hands and feet to defeat offensive lineman run blocks with a quick slap and arm-over moves and has a good burst to the ball to make tackles. (8.4)

Initial Quickness/Gap Shooting Ability – Ayden consistently demonstrates the ability to quickly get off the ball when the play starts, allowing him to get his hands on the offensive lineman first. This helps him maintain good leverage and often allows him to get free from blockers and disrupt the play. Additionally, when he takes an upfield step from his stance, it becomes tough for an offensive guard to contain him. (7.3)

Pass Rush Ability/Variety of Pass Rush Moves/Hands Use – When Ayden maintains a good pad level and pass rushes aggressively, he has the tools to be an outstanding pass rusher for his size at DT. His strength allows him to jolt pass blockers backward with an explosive punch, drives him into the pocket, and frees him up to pressure QBs. He showed power with his bull rush and with quickness and power on his club swim moves. (7.5)

Run/Pass Recognition/Instincts/Awareness – Ayden has an instinct that allows him to react quickly and make plays in various situations. He can anticipate the play, is not easily fooled by misdirection plays or fakes, and is quick to read and reach the ball. (7.9)

Pursuit/Tackling/Hitting Ability/Closing Burst – Ayden, despite weighing 280 pounds, is remarkably skilled at chasing down plays in pursuit. He easily frees himself from blockers, navigates through traffic with ease, and possesses very good chase speed and a strong closing burst to finish plays. He can bend his knees and drive up into ball carriers to deliver hard, violent hits and tackles. (7.8)

Scheme Versatility/Competitiveness/Durability/Endurance – Ayden has a thick build and the ability to play with leverage. His strength and athleticism make him productive as a defensive tackle in any defensive scheme. He is a very competitive player who has shown a willingness to hustle and chase hard-after ball carriers, making numerous tackles down the field in games evaluated. (8)

Strong Points – Ayden is a very athletic defensive tackle for his size and build with quick footwork, agility, playing speed, and an explosive closing burst that college teams look for. When he plays with good leverage, he has the strength to anchor against one-on-one offensive line run blocks, can disengage, and make/disrupt plays on runs right at him. He does a good job of shedding blockers on outside runs. Ayden has a rare combination of size and athletic ability to be considered an inside player in either scheme at the next level.

Grading System is based on research using the GM Jr’s 2012 Grading Scale. Each category receives a grade a 1 to 10. Example of the NFL Grading System for Combine Participants

9.2. to 10 = FBS Prospect-Power 5 Prospect
8.6 to 9.1 = Low FBS Prospect
7.9 to 8.5 = FCS Prospect
7.2 to 7.8 = D2 Prospect
6.5 to 7.1 = NAIA Prospect
5.8 to 6.4 = D3 Prospect
5.1 to 5.7 = Junior College/Post Graduate
Under 5.0 = Junior College

Eval from FBS Power 5 Assistant – 3/20/25 – Big strong kid

Camps & Showcases

2025
Texas Tech – June 1
Texas A&M – June 3
Georgia Tech – June 4
GTOWN Camp – June 8
Villanova – June 9
Syracuse – June 12
Miami Oh – June 13
Kansas – June 19

Invitations & School Visits

2025
Trinity – Junior Day Invite – April 18
Cornell – Junior Day Invite – April 13
Georgetown – Spring Practice Invite – April 11
Fordham – Junior Day invite – March 29
Dartmouth – Virtual Jr Day
Grinnell – Virtual Jr Day

2024
Cornell – Game Day Invite – Oct 12
Harvard – Game Day Invite