PRZ Next Northeast Showcase: Linebacker All-Showcase First Team
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The Prep Redzone Next Northeast showcase popped off this past weekend, with athletes from 10 different states taking part. Athletes from as far away as Texas traveled to compete with, and against, many of the top 2026-2028 prospects in the…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Redzone Next Northeast showcase popped off this past weekend, with athletes from 10 different states taking part. Athletes from as far away as Texas traveled to compete with, and against, many of the top 2026-2028 prospects in the region. Here’s a look at the Linebackers who were named to the All-Showcase First Team.
Michael Wellet | 2026 | New Jersey
The future Seton Hall Pirate had a nice afternoon, earning recognition as a top Linebacker in the second straight event I’ve seen him at. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Linebacker continues to improve each time I see him. He competes without hesitation on every single rep. Greatest asset right now is his speed. He’s also put on substantial weight over the last year. May take a year or two in a high school program, but Wellet has college football potential.
Brennen Pressley Brennen Pressley 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Iona Prep | 2026 State NY | 2026 | New York
An athlete that I know coaches at Iona Prep in New York can’t wait to get their hands on. Just a solid overall Linebacker that can play anywhere at this point–including Safety. Moves with very good fluidity and looks natural moving around the field. Speed off the snap allows him to shoot gaps when he is playing inside or beat tackles around the edge. At the showcase, had no problem covering backs.
Donovan Linthicum Donovan Linthicum 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Oakcrest | 2026 State NJ | 2026 | New Jersey
The kid that goes by “Blonde Polamalu”, a homage to NFL Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, is a very good Linebacker prospect. This is the second time I’ve seen him live in the last two months, and both times he performed well. His twitter bio says everything you need to know about his ability “A through D gap filler and sideline to sideline tackler.” Catch him at St. Augustine Prep for high school ball.
Julian Cruz | 2026 | New Jersey
Cruz earned an invite to the camp after a stellar showing at the Game Changers Combine at Rutgers a few weeks back. Though he was dealing with a sore hip at the event, he didn’t let the minor injury take away from his performance in the least. He’s a bigger, longer Linebacker with very good ball skills for a “non-skill guy”. Ran an impressive, and position-best, 7.31 in the L-Cone drill at the showcase on Saturday. He’ll be at Saint Peter’s Prep for high school.
Davon Barr | 2027 | New Jersey
Last, but certainly not least, Barr rounds out the Linebacker selections to the All-Showcase Team. Barr was clocked at a 4.96 in the 40-yard dash and showed encouraging quickness with a 7.65 in the L-Cone. The only seventh grader (class of 2027) to earn recognition in this group, his future is very bright. Another member of the Glassboro Midget Football, he’s going to be a scary sight with another year of youth ball ahead of him. He should have every private school in New Jersey/Philadelphia inquiring about his services when it’s time to make a decision on High School.