Rivals Camp Series New Jersey: Predictions for Sunday's event

CLASS OF 2019 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | State | Position | Team

The Rivals Camp Series presented by Adidas is heading back to New Jersey this weekend. After looking over the players that are signed up for the event on Sunday, here are some predictions about what might occur at this edition of the camp series.

RELATED: Rivals Camp Series schedule and FAQs

FROM RCS CINCINNATI: The Helmholdt Awards | Prospects that earned their stripes | Teams that should be pleased | Thoughts from the sideline | Commitment checkup

Just like last year, the Rivals Camp in New Jersey is set to have some of the nation’s top quarterbacks. Notre Dame commit Drew Pyne is returning to try to earn an invite to the Five-Star Challenge for the second time, and new Ohio State commit Kyle McCord will be participating as well. The two quarterbacks have been on the same field a couple times throughout their careers, but this forum could serve as a preview to a potential match-up in the College Football Playoff in a few years. Notre Dame and Ohio State are set up to contend for the national championship for years to come, and it isn’t too far-fetched to think these quarterbacks could make it there.

Outside of Pyne and McCord, look for quarterbacks such as new Miami commit Tyler Van Dyke, UCLA commit Parker McQuarrie, four-star Michael Alaimo and many others to compete this Sunday.

Over the years, the New Jersey Rivals Camp has served as a springboard for young defensive linemen trying to become the top player in the Rivals100. Rivals250 defensive end Fadil Diggs has come to the Rivals Camp for the last few years and he will be there again along with Isaiah Raikes. West Virginia commit Aaron Lewis will make the trip and 2020 standout Cam Large from the Boston area is going to showcase his skills on Sunday.

On top of those upperclassmen, the underclassmen defensive linemen that will be competing on Sunday should make it a really close race for the MVP award. Class of 2021 prospects Aaron Armitage and Tywone Malone, along with 2022 defensive lineman Kwan Williams, have been picking up a lot of offers lately, and there are lot of people that want to learn more about Drew Kendall (2021). Freshmen Wilfredo Aybar and Keith Miles are also expected to compete.

There is a fairly deep pool of talent in New Jersey right now, and much of it is from the southern portion of the state. In fact, players from southern New Jersey have a very good chance of winning some of the MVP awards. Look for defensive backs Tarheeb Still and Alijah Clark (2021) to push for the top spot at their position while battling talented receivers such as southern New Jersey native Keon Sabb (2022). Quarterback Donovan Leary (2022), younger brother of NC State quarterback Devin Leary, is a budding star in southern New Jersey, as are 2021 running backs Johnny Martin and Xavier Coleman. Don’t forget defensive linemen Lewis and Diggs, because they’ll be two of the most talented players in attendance.

There are some elite upperclassmen confirmed for the camp on Sunday, but they could be outnumbered by the elite underclassmen. Other than the names already mentioned above, don’t be surprised if you hear about class of 2021 prospects Tysheem Johnson, Shafeek Smith, Sam Ofurie, Geno VanDeMark, Christian Veilleux and others. As for the 2022 class, look for Ken Talley, Tyler Martin, Jaeden Gould and some others to stand out.

Rain will likely be a factor before, during or after the camp on Sunday, so the football will probably be a little wet. That gives everybody a good look at how strong the hands of receivers are and how well quarterbacks can grip wet balls. Four-star receiver Jaden Dottin has a chance to really shine on what could be a cloudy day, but he isn’t the only one. Keep an eye out for Chris Long and Marvin Harrison Jr. (2021), along with running backs such as Rivals100 back Jalen Berger, Tirek Murphy, Lamy Constant, Israel Abanikanda, Audric Estime and many others.