Garden State Blue Chippers Commits for the Class of 2010

Written by: John Kelly on 4th February 2010

Garden State Blue Chippers Commits for the Class of 2010 | read this item

John Kelly

Football Reporters Online

Senior Writer

Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

(Pictures: Provided by www.rivals.com and http://www.nj.com/hssports/blog/football/index.ssf/2009/11/no_1_don_bosco_rolls_over_no_4_st_peters_prep.html)

T.J. Clemmings (Paterson Catholic) – Pittsburgh commit

Pittsburgh may become D-line you the next couple of seasons. Dave Wannstadt might have reeled in his best recruit since Jonathon Baldwin in Wide Receiver. T.J. Clemmings. He is an absolute specimen that only needs to play with a lower pad level and not attack high on opposing offensive lineman. At 265-pounds of solid muscle he shoots off the line like Osi Umenyiora and Julius Peppers. He has a tremendous up field push and has excellent pursuit when tracking down players half his size in pursuit. He completely disrupts the middle of an Offensive line and shoots the gaps very quickly and arrives in the backfield before the ball is handed off. His first step allows him to blow through lineman and blow up plays. He also uses his hands very well to shed blocks and wrap up ball carriers. He is an extremely athletic end that possesses a strong vertical leap at the line to bat down passes. He is also a very violent tackler by wrapping up his opponents with authority. His speed is scary and looks to wreak havoc on Big East offenses in the fall. With Greg Romulus returning for his senior year and facing several double teams, Clemmings will have an opportunity to shine early. He’ll have plenty of one on one opportunities for sacks, tackles for loss, and forced turnovers. Dave Wannstadt also used to allow Charles Haley a defensive lineman during his Dallas Cowboy days to sometimes rush off the end like a linebacker. Clemmings speed presents Wannstadt with an identical opportunity to terrorize Big East signal callers. Still, for a coach that likes to generate pressure with his front four Clemmings fits the bill.

Tony Jones (Don Bosco Prep) – Colorado Commit

He is most explosive player in the state and the best all around player. At 5’9 he might not draw top tier programs but his 30 plus touchdowns on the ground and a dozen on returns have been a reason of concern for all Bosco opponents. Jones has the return ability of Florida’s Brandon James with the ability to see his running lanes and leave opposing special teams units in the dust. As a running back he is a mix of Jeff Demp’s speed and Jaquizz Rodgers vision. Like Demps if Jones sees a crease he is gone and good luck catching him. The best thing about Jones is his vision and that is where he most resembles Jaquizz Rodgers. Jones hides behind his power offensive line well against opposing defenses and if you do not track him down in the backfield its very tough to get him in the open spaces. Jones resembles former Bosco speedster Michael Ray Garvin who had a successful career down in Tallahassee for Bobby Bowden’s Florida State squad. Dan Hawkins needs all the playmakers he can get in 2010 with his job clearly on the line. Look for Jones to complement underachieving Darrell Scott and another excellent 5’6 scat back Rodney Stewart in the fall. In space Jones is the best back in the tri-state area.

Brian Murphy (Don Bosco Prep) – Pittsburgh Commit

Dave Wannstandt scored another solid commitment for his Pittsburgh Panther 2010 D-line class. Murphy is solid body build in more the form of Tampa Bay’s Chris Hovan or current Pitt Defensive end Greg Romulus. Like Hovan and Romulus, Murphy is strong and rarely blown off the ball after the snap. This is attributed to quick first step off the ball and the strength to take top New Jersey tackles into the backfield. Jake Kaufman the garden state’s best lineman prospect knows first hand of Murphy’s expertise. Brian also possesses the deceptive speed of Kyle Vanden Bosch with the ability to wreak havoc in the opposing team’s backfield. He can wrestle down top tailbacks and quarterbacks with authority and shows excellent tackling technique. Murphy is sound and wraps up before making a strip. He uses his hands very well after a passing play breaks down and it allows him to obtain coverage sacks. His first step and swim move allows him to draw double teams or get chipped at the line. He is in the mold of current Pittsburgh defensive lineman Mick Williams. Murphy is not as fast or athletic like Clemmings but if Murphy bulks up more he also possesses the size and weight to play defensive tackle at the next level.

Sakim Phillips (DePaul Catholic) – Boston College Commit

One of the most productive receivers next season you may not know about will be Boston College’s Rich Gunnell. The reason is because Sakim Phillips is on his way to Chestnut Hill next season. Phillips is 6-2 and 188 but if you look at him on the field he looks like he is smaller than that. His play fits his listed stature. Phillips has long arms and quality straight-line speed. He reminds me of a Mohammad Massaquoi who was a star at Georgia and is now a starting wideout for the Cleveland Browns. His long arms allow him to go up in traffic and make tough catches over his head like Massaquoi. He possesses a wide catching radius and is excellent at using his frame for short, underneath routes. He shields defenders from the ball when he makes the catch and does not go down easily. He shields the ball from defenders when he catches it. For the Boston College passing game the short slants, hitches, and quick hits are essential towards setting up the run. Phillips is a master of this. It insures him playing time as he will face several one on-one matchups this fall. He will be a threat to put it in the end zone on every throw and move the chains when necessary. His route running is as good as any receiver in the country and it allows him to make the catches in traffic. He also is a diverse playmaker who is a threat in the open field and wildcat packages with Montel Harris. Reverses could help him add to the Eagles offense as well. Phillips looks the ball in and his hands are strong and like glue. He rarely drops passes coming his way and is able to rip the ball away from defensive backs in traffic. Phillips has been compared to Terrell Owens with his broad shoulders and cut physique. T.O. went over the middle and Phillips has no problem emulating that blueprint as well. However, improving his lean legs, upper body, and arms will allow him to take the punishment every down. He needs to work on better explosion off the line but with some good coaching looks to fill Rich Gunnell’s void at Boston College.

Raphael Ortiz (Saint Peter’s Prep) – William and Mary Commit

This quarterback prospect is the best-kept secret in the state of New Jersey. Ralph Ortiz could be 2010’s version of Dion Lewis of Pittsburgh who burst onto the Big East scene this season. Outside of Duke, no one offered this built 6-2 220-pound signal caller. Ortiz signed with William and Mary and is bound to make an immediate impact in Division 1-AA. Ortiz was like a house on fire his senior season. After missing last year with a meniscus injury he has blown top New Jersey parochial competition out of the water. Against Montvale and Bergen Catholic two top parochial powers Ortiz had seven touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. Ortiz reminds me of a mix between Graham Harrell and John Skelton. He stands tall in the pocket like Skelton and has excellent pocket awareness when plays break down. On the run his arm is the strongest on the East Coast hands down. He squares his shoulders a lot like Peyton Manning and that leads him to throw highly accurate balls. Ralph has the arm strength as he can sling the ball over 60 yards and can drill it between cover 4 and cover 8 coverage. Ortiz can also make the big program throws on the deep hitch, the deep and short slant, and the seam toss. Ralph can fit it and stick the ball perfectly between any coverage. His only weakness is the ability to force the ball and stick in the pocket to long. Those are all rookie mistakes most 5 star recruits make. He is a perfect fit for any air raid or spread offense. He fits a pro-style because of Rich Hansen’s multiple offense at Saint Peter’s. With the departure of R.J Archer to the NFL, Ortiz provides a quick fix at the QB position that can sling it every play and give the Tribe an experienced quarterback that can open up their running game. He has the potential to be CAA Freshman of the year.

Doug Rigg (Bergen Catholic) – West Virginia Commit

This West Virginia prospect is the type of tough sound football player that Bill Stewart needs to keep it going in Morgantown. Rigg played both sides of the ball in 2009 and had an impact on both sides. He is a bruising running back who easily could take pressure of Noel Devine in 2010. He can power it between the tackles and excelled in the veer run which is the staple of spread option. Rigg is a downhill and physical runner with the ability to give linebackers big time blows every time he comes at you. He does not go down easy and squares his shoulders well and explodes through holes. Can pick up blitzes well and hits the hole hard.

Jake Kaufman (Saint Peter’s Prep) – South Florida Commit

Kaufman is one the other 6-8 linemen that the nation has not heard of in 2010. Obviously the nation’s number one prospect on all boards is Seantrel Henderson the 6-8 350 left tackle from Cretin Derham High School in Minnesota. At 320 pounds Kaufman possesses the same abilities as Henderson. The difference is he is a raw talent but if he is coached as well and as Locroccio coached him at Saint Peter’s Kaufman has the chance to be a diamond in the ruff prospect that can protect any Quarterback’s blindside. Kaufman is an excellent run blocker and blows his opposition off the ball with a quick leg drive. Many times holes are blown open even before the back touches the ball with Kaufman. He is also very good at the second level of lineman blocking which is essential for all types of screen passes being thrown in the game today. Kaufman has great feet and moves well down field devouring opposing defenders. The left side of Saint Peter’s line is the reason Savon Huggins a top prospect in the Class of 2011, was able to run for over 1,000 yards this season. When Kaufman latches on to opposing defenders look out. Like DJ Fluker of last year when Kaufman locks down his man and holds his block there is no way any defender can move around him. Kaufman though can be lazy on blocks, which allows certain defenders to close running lanes. The only thing Kaufman needs to work on is his pass blocking which has substantially improved this year. His side of the line has only given up sacks this year. 4 of those were against Brian Murphy and Don Bosco. So you can see that Kaufman locks down inferior and above average talent. A majority of those Bosco sacks were coverage based and Kaufman held his own with Bryan Murphy most of the time. Kaufman makes first contact and is rarely knocked back into his own backfield. His footwork is still raw and unpolished at times but he is a potential diamond in the rough prospect that can succeed at any school. Kaufman reminds me of another John Runyan or Tony Boselli.

Corey Davis (Saint Peter’s Prep) – James Madison Commit

At 5-9 175 he might not be the biggest wide out or corner in the nation but he sure possesses of the speed of the elite ones. Offensively Corey Davis is the Marty Gilyard in the class of 2010. On defense he reminds me of Joe Haden of Florida. He possesses the wow factor of game breaking speed, sure hands, and excellent route running in the slot. His cuts are precise and he is good with press coverage Davis is also a lot like current Panther Wide Receiver Steve Smith in his ability to go up the ladder to grab the ball. Despite his small stature Davis plays like a 6-3 receiver and like a primetime target wants the ball every play. On jet or bubble screens Davis is a threat to pick up multiple yards every time the ball touches his hand. As a corner his is extremely physical on the outside, has great closing speed, and the ability to turn his head towards the ball on passing routes. Davis has to fine-tune his ability to come back for the ball and add more routes to his arsenal. He must improve his strength. Again he is another super prospect who is the type of diamond in the rough prospect that can give Justin Thorpe and the James Madison Dukes a much needed passing threat or replace Senior Jamarius Sanders on the edge.

Kamal Hogan (Saint Joes Montvale) – Louisville commit

Hogan is a Warrick Dunn type of running back. He possesses strong cutback ability, catches the ball out of the backfield better than any back in the state, and sees the hole and accelerates. Teams have to keep Hogan in front of them or he is gone within two steps. His breakaway speed is second best in the state to Tony Jones. Hogan’s career though this last year has fallen off. He had a better junior campaign and has been slowed down this year due to injuries. Still, he is a heck of a talent. In space he is as scary as they come in New Jersey. Whether he is running North and South or East and West he is a threat to score every time he touches the ball.