Catching the football is one thing.
Beating your defender, catching it and then running for first down yardage or the end zone is another.
Some of the best to do that – these athletes are among the most feared wide receivers in the state – include seniors Nahree Biggins of Hillside, Ahmirr Robinson of Union and Mark Bails of Rahway.
They are also ranked No. 1, 2 and 3 among Union County’s top college prospects for the upcoming 2019 campaign by The McCarthy Report.
For 61 years now The McCarthy Report has been evaluating NEw Jersey’s top talent in all four classes, including sneiors that are top college prospects.
David McCarthy is at the helm now after his father Dennis – a longtime North Arlington resident who begn the project in the late 1950swith such ferver – passed away in May of 2017 at the age of 74.
Dennis McCarthy’s passion for what he did for more than half a century has definitely trickled down to the work his son David continues to produce.
Here are The McCarthy Report’s Union County Top 19 college-bound senior prospects for the 2019 season (Class of 2020):
1-Nahree Biggins, Hillside, Slot, (6-0, 180)
“Explosive. Has 4.47 speed. Been a star playmaker since his freshman year. Big reason for Hillside’s resurgence.”
2-Ahmirr Robinson, Union, WR, (6-3, 190)
“Rutgers commit. Has 4.5 speed. Stud outside wideout with fine size and can jump through the roof. Averaged 18.6 yards percatch last year.“
3-Mark Bails, Rahway, WR, (6-3, 180)
“Big-play threat who is a fluid athlete with great body control. Hauls in passes like a Hoover vacuum. Averaged 23.3 yards per catch in 2018. Has one MAAC offer.”
4-Declan McCauley, Westfield, OL-DL, (6-4, 285)
“Physically dominates opponents. Has great hand usage. Steers and controls his man. Very good two-way lineman. Brother Jack plays at Holy Cross.”
5-Connor Katz, Cranford, QB, (6-1, 205)
“Can do everything you ask a quarterback to do. Has above-average arm strength and can make all the throws. Runs well for his size, around a 4-6 40. Has a Georgetown offer. Excellent academics.”
6-Joe Lusardi, Summit, RB-SLOT-CB, (5-11, 170)
“Versatile kid with good speed who can play on either side of the ball in college. Can do a little bit of everything. Also excels at defensive back.”
7-Andrew Sanborn, Union, QB, (5-11, 175)
“The straw that stirs the drink for the Farmers. Makes everything go. Playmaker who can beat you with his arms or his legs. Very competitive, a winner.”
8-Hank Shapiro, Westfield, QB, (6-1, 210)
“Lehigh commit. One of New Jersey’s most accomplished field generals, with a state sectional title under his belt as a sophomore in 2017. Has passed for almost 3,000 yards in his career and he has an undeniablecommand of Westfield’s offense.”
9-Will Kessler, Westfield, OLB, (6-2,205)
“Has a knack for slipping into the opponents’ backfield and making big plays. Covers a lot of ground and makes tackles in the open field. Powerful hitter and has a throwback football mentality. Alsoone of the best punters in the state.”
10-James Louis, Hillside, RB, (5-7, 170)
“Quick as a hiccup scatback who leaves defenders gasping for air in the open field. Creative and shifty in space. Has Ivy League and Patriot League academics, including a perfect 4.0 GPA. Runs a 4.47.”
11-Olli Paasonen, Summit, FB-TE-DE, (6-4, 215)
“Interesting sleeper who could play a couple of different positions on the college level. Has a great frame. Also handles Summit’s kicking duties. Missed several games last year due to injury.”
12-James Westry, Hillside, SLOTBACK-CB, (5-9, 165)
“DePaul transfer. Has great quickness and can blow by defenders like they’re standing still. Blessed with turbo-charged acceleration and is a big play waiting to happen.”
13-Patrick Blowe, Cranford, OL-DL (6-2, 295)
“Massive wide body who is a powerful drive blocker that pushes people around. Super strong and top academics.”
14-Enrique Torres, Elizabeth, OL, (6-3, 280)
“Light on his football. Has no trouble getting out to the second level. Looks very efficient blocking in space and is agile enough to get his hat on smaller-moving targets. Has 3.0 GPA.”
15-Gavin Melendez, Hillside, QB, (6-4, 215)
“Pure pro-style passer with a strong arm. Should have a huge senior year. Passed for 1,800 yards last year.”
16-Zion Marshall, Linden, QB, (5-10, 175)
“Versatile quarterback who is blessed with natural playmaking ability. Accurate thrower who can hurt defenses by air or by land.”
17-Qualil Lumpkins, Rahway, LB, (6-0, 200)
“Physical linebacker who has great instincts and fills the hole at the point of attack.”
18-Brayden Pierre-Louis, Rahway, TE-DE, (6-1, 225)
“Instinctive two-way player. Key cog for Rahway’s state finalist squad a year ago.”
19-Jared Durand, Union, OL, (6-2, 290)
“Powerful drive-blocker, who can push his man into the next county.”
OTHERS TO WATCH:
Jaquan Robinson, Union, DL, (5-11, 275)
D’Shawn Etienne, Union, DL, (5-11, 350)
Joshua Darisme, Rahway, DT, (6-1, 225)
Tahlee Bailey, Rahway, DE, (6-2, 235)
Cole Blazek, Cranford, WR, (6-1, 175)
SOME JUNIORS (Class of 2021)
TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
Fatir Bell, Hillside, WR, (6-1, 180)
Terrell Cannon, Union, DE, (6-4, 245)
Jalen Carter, Union, WR, (6-1, 180)
Michael Dotro, Brearley, MLB, (6-0, 205)
Austin Groce, Summit, LB, (6-2, 205)
Desmond Igbinosun, Union, OLB, (6-3, 195)
Kevin Igiehon, Hillside, OLB, (6-2, 190)
Shawn Patterson, Linden, OL-DL, (6-2, 300)