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The 4 Monmouth football breakout players to know from fall camp
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- The 4 Monmouth football breakout players to know from fall camp
The dog days of Monmouth football's fall training camp have started to set in as the number of practices reaches the double digits, but the preparation for the Hawks ' first game against Tennessee Tech on Aug. 29 is still another week away. Still, the intensity is unwavering at Kessler Stadium in West Long Branch.
It's not surprising that Monmouth's returning starters and contributors have consistently played at high levels. Preseason All-CAA selections such as Gavin Nelson, Jaeden Jones and Marcus Middleton have all lived up to expectations. But who are the players that are ready to make names for themselves this fall on the gridiron? Monmouth has seen a boon from several emerging playmakers that could tip the scales in the regular season.
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These are the four breakout players to know from Monmouth's fall training camp.
Monmouth football preview of every defensive position, 2026 depth charts
Donovan Fey - S - Jr.
Monmouth has been preaching competition as a core tenet under first-year head coach Jeff Gallo, and nobody has answered the call more than Fey. The junior from Delran and Holy Cross Prep has been the most revelatory player on the defense even amidst a loaded secondary group that was boosted by several transfers with impressive pedigree and a good class of freshmen.
The 6-2, 205-pound defensive back has shown impressive versatility as he's able to operate as a high safety or in the box or even in the nickel spot. His ability to close and attack the catch point in coverage has been incredibly sharp, and he's shown very good vision defending the run with efficient pursuit and good angles. He didn't have the chance to showcase his skills in the spring, but he's maximized his opportunities so far this fall.
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"I was hurt all spring, so it was really just excitement getting back out here, being able to play with all my teammates," Fey said. "I got hurt in like practice five, so I was out the whole spring. So running the new defense, I didn't get much experience. It was really just watching film, watching others play and then being able to translate what I'm seeing in the film room the whole time I was hurt to being able to put it out onto the field."
The results of that work in the film room have been evident. There is astounding precision to his play as he reads and reacts decisively. His length is another key trait in the secondary, and he's beginning to look like the ideal compliment to star Jaeden Jones at the safety position.
"I personally believes this is the best group of guys as a defensive core we've had since I've been here," Fey said. "There's gonna be a lot of competition, coming in we knew that. Ongoing position battles every day. So it's really just a day-by-day mindset, not getting complacent. Coming out here with the same mindset of taking one day at a time, one play at a time, and not thinking too much on what's down the line."
Monmouth football preview of every offensive position, depth charts for new season
Christian Harrison (14) celebrates after a big play at Monmouth football's practice on Aug. 11.
Christian Harrison - WR - Jr.
Harrison has been superb since he stepped on campus. The junior college transfer from Lackawanna College is a daily highlight reel in fall camp, building on his impressive showing during spring practices. But the level of his play really can not be emphasized enough; Harrison might be another star in the making for the Hawks' aerial attack.
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This week, it was his response to a mistake that stood out in practice. On Tuesday, Harrison ran his usually polished rhythm in-breaker route and created space for a big run after the catch, but he had a rare drop. He responded a few plays later with an astounding acrobatic catch in double coverage (with Fey as one of the defenders). His football IQ was evident after the play as well. Even as his excited teammates jumped off the sideline to celebrate, Harrison lined back up immediately because it was a two-minute drill.
"When I dropped the ball, I had to come back and make a play for my team," Harrison said. "Every drop leads to an extra play. I just had to get back, make another play for my team leading to a touchdown."
The 6-foot and 195-pound receiver has astounding polish. He is able to operate out of the slot or on the outside with equal effect. He is an effective route runner at all three levels, but it's his ability to consistently make off-balance catches that might be his most noticeable talent. The Hawks have two proven receivers in Gavin Nelson and Tra Neal with complimentary skill sets, but Harrison has emerged as as the ideal third receiver. The three Maryland products have meshed together perfectly thus far.
"It's just the mentality that I have. Preparation is key, and I've been preparing for this since I was at Lackawanna, so when I came here, it was just nothing new to me."
Matt Fries gets in a pass set in a game against Eastern Washington in 2024.
Matt Fries - OT - R-Sr.
One of the key questions Monmouth faces this season is how the defense will replace the outstanding pass rush ability of Lamont Lester and Josiah Graham. There haven't been many answers so far this fall, but a lot of that has to do with the superb tackle play on offense.
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Fries has been excellent on the left side. The former Cranford product is the younger brother of Minnesota Vikings starter Will Fries, and he joined the Hawks as a transfer from Illinois. The talent and tools have always been evident, but there had been bouts of inconsistency even in the spring. His play has been much more solid in the fall, as he's been a stalwart left tackle.
The nuances of offensive line play can be challenging, but it seems like Fries' hand placement has been the key turning point. He always had good foot quickness with good arm length and balance, but he is engaging opposing defenders with much better results in pass protection and has become a reliable point of attack blocker in the run game. It's just all coming together for the redshirt senior, and the Hawks' offensive line is shaping up to be a strength once again this fall.
Josh Duran at Monmouth's first fall practice of the 2026 season.
Josh Duran - OT - R-Jr.
It wouldn't be right to mention one tackle without the other. Duran has been just as fantastic on the right side stepping in for All-American JT Cornelius. The 6-6, 305-pound former standout at DePaul Catholic has incredible athleticism. Those physical tools are blending with sharp technique as the Hawks appear to have found two cornerstone tackles to anchor the line.
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The potential of Duran was always evident in one-on-one drills, and it's been a steady and smooth transition into the starting role from the spring into the fall. He's an excellent pass blocker, but a bit more growth in the run game is one element to watch.
With four new starters on the offensive line, the emergence of the team's two tackles is a welcome development for an offense that is set at all the skill positions. The interior of the offensive line has been more of a mixed bag and the Hawks are experimenting with some different combinations, but the two tackle spots appear solved. And that's no small testament to how good Duran and Fries have been given that the Hawks have impressive depth at the position.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: The 4 Monmouth football breakout players to know from fall camp
