Tag: bergen catholic football

What high school recruits won awards at the Under Armour Next Football Camp?

The Under Armour camp was loaded in New Jersey this weekend.

A number of the top prospects in the nation were in New Jersey over the weekend for the Under Armour Next Football Camp.

The annual camp, held this year at Hackensack High School (Hackensack, New Jersey) featured multiple top players and recruits. Multiple Rutgers football targets were present at the event.

The most interesting name for Rutgers football in terms of recruiting are [autotag]Jermaine Kinsler [/autotag](a class of 2026 recruit who is uncommitted) and [autotag]Adam Shovlin[/autotag] (a class of 2025 edge rusher who is uncommitted).

Both Kinsler and Shovlin hold Rutgers offers. Kinsler spoke about his experience at the Under Armour Camp and where things stand with Rutgers football on Sunday following the event.

Defensive Line MVPs

  • Jermaine Kinsler
  • Adam Shovlin

Offensive Line MVPs

  • Gavin Crawford
  • Tyler Merrill

Running Back MVP

  • Mekhi Nelson

Linebacker MVP

  • DJ McClary (the No. 145 recruit in the nation in the ESPN 300)

Quarterback MVP

  • Cole Geer

Wide Receiver MVPs

  • Lyrick Samuel
  • Terrell Wilfong

Defensive Back MVP

  • Larry Moon

Also as part of the camp, defensive back Jordan Thomas was invited to the 2025 Under Armour Next Future 50. Thomas is a four-star defensive back at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey)[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

Najee Calhoun, a class of ’26 star running back, breaks down his transfer to Bergen Catholic

Najee Calhoun talks about transferring to Bergen Catholic.

One of New Jersey’s top prospects in the class of 2026, Najee Calhoun, announced this week that he is transferring to Bergen Catholic.

For Bergen Catholic, a team that has finished atop the state rankings each of the past three years, it is another big-time addition to an already-loaded roster. With the potential to be a top-five player in the state, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back is likely going to factor in prominently into the Crusaders’ offense.

Calhoun spent his first two seasons at Donovan Catholic (Barnegat, New Jersey) but now will see out his high school career at Bergen Catholic. Last year, he rushed for 1,1010 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry.

He currently holds Power Five offers from Boston College and Duke.

He went into detail as to why he chose to transfer to Bergen Catholic, saying he wanted to find a deep and competitive roster to play on.

“So I came to the decision to transfer and put myself in a position to succeed,” Calhoun told Rutgers Wire.

“Now choosing Bergen Catholic was an easy decision, it’s a well-rounded and proven program that plays on a big stage and can help me go further as a person and player. It’s a brotherhood and the coaches are a great group of guys who can help me get to where I want to be at the collegiate level.

“And I will be surrounded by like-minded individuals that are dedicated to the sport such as I am.”

With the decision to transfer done, Calhoun is focused on planning out his spring. He is hoping to take some visits to colleges to check in on their spring practices.

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“No visits set in stone as of now, still weaving through invites trying to figure out a schedule, definitely drew lots of positive attention with the transfer so I’m sure I’ll have even more visits to think about in the near future,” Calhoun said.

That includes in-state Rutgers, who have yet to offer. He hopes to be on campus sometime in the next few weeks.

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“I should be going to a spring practice sometime soon,” Calhoun said. “No matter what the outcome is, it’s always fun just to be on campus in that atmosphere.”

Meet USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Coach of the Year nominee, Vito Campanile

On and off the field, Coach Vito Campanile has been a massive part of Bergen Catholic football’s successes.

Bergen Catholic’s football program has created a tradition of success for multiple seasons, with the New Jersey high school power consistently mentioned among the best in the nation.

And to echo USA TODAY High School Sports Awards‘ Randy Buffington, behind every great team is a solid head coach.

That’s certainly true of the Crusaders’ Vito Campanile, who has been nominated for USA Today High School Sports Awards Coach of the Year.

The head coach leans on what he’s learned—wisdom from his grandmother and uncle, plus other coaches and players—to motivate and mold the next generations of young men.

And, after listening to a matter of seconds in the video below, it’s easy to see why Coach Campanile is worthy of such an esteemed nomination.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cge6lsOlUSP/?hl=en

Rob Gronkowski will host the 2022 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards alongside fellow Super Bowl-winning tight end, Vernon Davis.

The nationwide event will kick off with 24 in-person local shows that lead up to the national show featuring athletes from all 50 states.

From USA TODAY High School Sports Awards:

Stellar athletes in 29 national sports will be highlighted, resulting in Player of the Year announcements within each sport, while premier awards include Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rising Star, Courage Award, Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, Play of the Year and Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year. Selected athletes are encouraged to register for the event to provide important show information and receive updates. 

The national broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET via the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards website, YouTube and the USA TODAY channel available on most smart televisions and devices.