Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Goin’ Gardening: New Jersey’s Top 2017 and 2018 Targets

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

After another class full of east coast stars, the Ann Arbor Express is now running year round out of New Jersey. From Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty in 2014 to Ron Johnson, Chris Partridge, and many more in 2015-16, Michigan has found itself a gold mine in the Garden State.

Here’s a list of the players Michigan has landed or is hoping/expecting to land in the 2016 class:

  • DE Ron Johnson – Committed
  • WR Brad Hawkins – Announcing on Friday, expected to commit
  • WR Ahmir Mitchell – Named Michigan and OSU his leaders, most believe he’s UM bound
  • DT Rashan Gary – Michigan looks to have a slight lead over Auburn at the moment
  • WR Donald Stewart – Looks to be favoring Stanford and Michigan, likely SU lean

via Ahmir Mitchell (@Ahmir_SoDevoted)

And the Jersey well is far from dry as the 2017 and 2018 classes are stacked full of talent, plenty of which who look to be very high on the Wolverines:

2017

  • LB Drew Singleton, 6’2” 215lbs. Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
  • DL Corey Bolds, 6’3” 260lbs. Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
  • DT Dalyn Wade-Perry, 6’4” 310lbs. Englewood, NJ (Pope John XXIII)
  • C Cesar Ruiz, 6’4” 290lbs. Camden, NJ (Camden)
  • DT Fred Hansard, 6’4” 310lbs. Princeton, NJ (Hun School)
  • WR Eddie Lewis, 6’0” 175lbs. Middletown, NJ (Mater Dei)
  • OT Micah Clark, 6’5” 265lbs. Holdmel, NJ (St John Vianney)
  • OT Noah Dehond, 6’7” 317lbs. Hightstown, NJ (The Peddle School)
  • ATH Markquese Bell, 6’3” 190lbs. Bridgeton, NJ (Bridgeton)
  • OL Ben Petrula, 6’6” 320lbs. Jersey City, NJ (St Peters Prep)
  • QB Jonathan Lewis, 6’3” 205lbs. Jersey City, NJ (St Peters Prep)
  • DT Jabreil Salaam, 6’1” 285lbs. Maplewood, NJ (Columbia)
  • WR Andrew Papantonis, 6’0” 180lbs. Morristown, NJ (Delbarton)

2018

  • QB Allan Walters, 6’2” 200lbs. Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
  • DL Jayson Ademilola, 6’3” 240lbs. Jersey City, NJ (St. Peters Prep)
  • DL/LB Justin Ademilola, 6’3” 225lbs. Jersey City, NJ (St. Peters Prep)
  • LB Bartek Rybka, 6’2” 230lbs. Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic) ,
  • QB Shelton Applewhite, 6’3” 175lbs. Wayne, NJ (De Paul Catholic)
  • WR Justin Shorter, 6’3” 180lbs. Monmouth Junction, NJ (South Brunswick)
  • RB Jonathan Clark, 5’11” 180lbs. Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
  • ATH Kevin Johnson, 5’10” 165lbs. Princeton, NJ (Hun School)
  • RB Iverson Clement, 5’11” 187lbs. Willingboro, NJ (Willingboro)
  • ATH Ray Minneci, 5’10” 185lbs. Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
  • DE/OLB Dorian Hardy, 6’4” 215lbs. Montvale, NJ (St Joseph’s)
  • OL Zion Hughes, 6’1” 270lbs. Ramsey, NJ (Don Bosco)

It’s still pretty early for both classes but, at the moment, I could see Michigan landing more than 7 of the names listed above at the end of the day. Which I’m sure Rutgers coaches and fans would just love to see.

Garrett Fishaw
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