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A closer look at Monmouth football's 15 recruits in the Class of 2027
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- A closer look at Monmouth football's 15 recruits in the Class of 2027
Monmouth football still won't get a complete look at the 2026 recruiting class until fall camp starts in just under a month, but the Hawks are already piecing together a portrait of the 2027 class with 15 players already committed.
The football program's ascendence in recent years is reflected in the level of talent slated to join Monmouth next year. The impressive pedigree of the players bares resemblance to the outsized recruiting ability of FCS programs in premier conferences like the Big Sky, Missouri Valley Conference and Ivy League. The Hawks keep leveling up, and the best could be yet to come.
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Obviously in the modern recruiting landscape, things are still fluid. That's particularly true for FCS programs that see a trickle down effect from late changes at the FBS level toward the end of the college football season. But Monmouth has several cornerstone prospects to build around and hopefully retain up until signing day.
Here's a breakdown of all the foundational pieces from Monmouth football's 2027 recruiting class.
Justin Dixon - QB - Concordia Prep (MD)
Dixon is an exciting high-pedigree headliner for Monmouth's 2027 recruiting class. The 6-foot-2 and 205-pound quarterback is dripping with raw passing talent, and he is a staple standout of camps over the past several seasons because of his ability to layer throws with an advanced level of touch and placement. The upside in that physical ability flashes several times in his high school tape, as he has the ability to make ridiculous off-platform throughs and has a gunslinger's willingness to wait until the last possible second and absorb contact while still delivering throws with big payoffs. It's easy to understand why he got some interest, and his talent-driven upside is unmatched even in a very good Monmouth quarterback room.
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Kory Brown - RB - Tottenville (NY)
The Hawks have become renowned for finding compact running backs with versatile skillsets, and Brown certainly fits the mold. He is a lightning rod at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds that is able to take any place to the house. His 10.62 time in the 100 meter translates to the football field, but he displays way more ability to break tackles than a regular track star on the football field. He has truly impressive contact balance with power packed into his frame and the speed to separate from virtually any defender in open space. He also shows promising skills as a pass catcher with some ability to split out wide. It's a loaded group at running back, but Brown is a great addition.
Aidan Tupper - WR - Broadneck (MD)
Monmouth has enjoyed excellent depth at the receiver position, and they've already reinforced that depth further with additions in this class. Tupper fits the mold of prior developmental success stories for the Hawks. He is a 6-foot and 170-pound receiver that glides effortlessly across the field both as an active receiving target and making defenders miss after the catch. The tape is generally raw, but he has gears of speed that are beyond any other player on the field as he moves at different pace. He could be the latest big time receiver out of Maryland to become a prime weapon for the Hawks.
Central Regional's CJ Yates (#2) picks up some yards against Brick in Berkeley Twsp Friday night, September 26, 2025.
CJ Yates - WR - Central Regional (NJ)
One of two big time receiving weapons with a strong basketball skillset that are staying at home at the Shore with Monmouth, Yates is a really exciting addition for the Hawks. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, but is still a lightning rod with the football in his hands. He had three receiving touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, three defensive touchdowns and a punt return touchdown as a junior. Even with all that explosiveness, he is a physical player as a blocker or tackler. He is such a dynamic athlete, he could play on either side of the ball at the next level.
Freehold’s Noah Cancela celebrates a touchdown with Jake Schultzel. Freehold Township at Toms River High School South football. Toms River, NJ Friday, August 30, 2024
Jake Schultzel - WR/TE - Freehold Township (NJ)
Schultzel is another big time local receiving target with big upside for the Hawks. The 6-foot-4 and 205-pound receiver has the frame to develop into an awesome receiving tight end at the next level. A true star on both the gridiron and the hardwood for Freehold Township, he surpassed the 1000-yard receiving mark and led the basketball team in scoring. There's actually a disconnect between his style of play in both sports, but in a good way. He is a powerful basketball player, but he is fluid and smooth as a receiver able to win jump balls while still being polished enough as a route runner to separate.
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Chuck Ebiem - OT - Irvington (NJ)
One of the interesting themes of this recruiting class is that it is filled with outliers in terms of physical measurables. Ebiem absolutely fits that category as a massive offensive tackle at 6-foot-8 and 275 pounds. He is still a bit raw on tape, mainly because it's hard for tackles with that kind of rare size to fully refine their skillset and ability to play with leverage. But the tools are evident, and Monmouth's ability to develop offensive lineman is reason for major optimism with this type of player. And although there is room to develop, he is an astute run blocker with good instincts for how to reach the second level.
Dan Kirk - OL - Central Bucks East (PA)
Kirk is one of the rare types of prospects that's really more of an athlete positionally, although his future is clearly somewhere on the line. He's a toolsy player with great length who is naturally massive at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds with plenty of room at add even more weight. He moves incredibly well at that size, but evaluating him as a tackle is tricky because of the unconventional offensive scheme. Regardless, the raw tools are outstanding and he is clearly player with massive upside. He is such a good athlete, it's possible he could even be a fit on the defensive line. He'll require some development and polish, but Kirk is clearly a gem.
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Issiah Thomas - OT - Millville (NJ)
Another in-state addition for the offensive line, Thomas is a well-rounded prospect that is a very intuitive evaluation. He's a powerful right tackle at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds with very good length and athleticism. He is strong at the point of attack, but displays the type of fluidity on screens to potentially even be a valuable puller if he was to kick inside to guard. But he anchors well in pass protection and uses his length and quick feet to his advantage. He's got all the traits to be successful at the next level, but a bit more polish will be needed as he transitions to the college game.
Tristin Fitzgerald - OL/DL - Weequahic (NJ)
Fitzgerald's 6-foot-7 and 325-pound frame would be exciting as a right tackle with good movement skills. But he may actually be best-suited as a massive defensive lineman in the mold of Calais Campbell or Caleb Banks. His type of physical tools are rare and the potential is enormous. He blows through blockers but has enough foot quickness to swallow up ball carriers in short areas. On offense, the sheer torque from his frame is enough to make him an effective point of attack blocker, and the length has a similar effect against opposing rushers. A lot more refinement is needed, but he has massive upside.
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Jaylen Eastman - DL - Rahway (NJ)
Eastman is a really exciting in-state addition to a Monmouth defensive line group that has become notorious for development under Codey Cole. He had plenty of flashes of dominance for Rahway, tallying 8.5 sacks with 14.5 tackles for loss and 43 total tackles. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he looks comfortable lining up anywhere along the defensive line with nuanced ways of winning against guards and tackles. That versatility gives Eastman bright upside as a player that could eventually be reliable defensive end that can shift inside on passing downs. He'll need more polish as he adjusts to the next level, but the potential is evident.
Ethan Mensah - DL - Northeastern York (PA)
Mensah is another intriguing defensive line prospect that also falls in line with the theme of versatility. He checks in at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds with plenty of room to get even bigger, and the flashes of potential are very exciting for a program that has proven to be adept at developing the position. He's best trait is that he wins in ways that you might not expect given his physical profile, as he has tremendous burst and explosiveness to blow by opposing lineman. When that signature skill becomes augmented with more power combined with his natural length, he could become a major disruptor at the next level.
Winslow's Benji Carter had three sacks, including a pivotal one late in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles earned a 14-12 win over Brick Memorial in Saturday's state Group 4 semifinal.
Benji Carter Jr. - LB - Winslow (NJ)
A major addition from the top public team in the state over the past several seasons, Carter has distinguished himself as a player that is at his best in the biggest games. He tallied 11.5 sacks last season, seven of which came against IMG Academy, Camden, Millville, and the state semifinal against Brick Memorial. He has two interceptions in two games against Millville, including a pick six in the section final. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, he has impressive size and versatility as a linebacker that can play on the edge or off the ball.
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Zak Kirsch - LB - Northern Cambria (PA)
Kirsch is a really exciting addition to the linebacking corps as the Monmouth defense continues to be resurgent unit. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he is a monster on tape. He cuts through traffic like a knife through butter once he diagnoses and is always playing downhill to the football. He also is comfortable in different alignments off-ball, including playing deeper in space almost more like a box safety. He displays good cover skills, but has the potential to be a cornerstone run defender. He already has the frame to make an early impact, and checks all the boxes to thrive at the next level with the Hawks.
Noah Johnson - DB - The Pennington School (NJ)
There is a lot to like about Johnson. He isn't a flashy player, but he is a smooth well-rounded defensive back with polished technique and great vision that allows him to make difficult plays look easy. Primarily a nickel defender, he has a superb understanding of defensive spacing in zone coverage, particularly as it pertains to throwing lanes and closing on the football. He is able to play physically as box defender, reflected in his 60 total tackles with four sacks and two forced fumbles. At 6-foot and 200 pounds, he has the ideal frame and skillset for the "viper" hybrid safety-linebacker position in the Monmouth defense.
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Malik Cain - ATH - Spring Grove (PA)
Cain is a fun prospect to round out this class because his raw ability is excellent, but it will take some imagination to find his ideal fit for the college game. He plays running back at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, but he might be little to upright as a runner. But nothing can be ruled out, because he is incredibly elusive as a runner. He has the power to run through tackles and gain extra yards blended with smooth mobility and sudden change-of-direction skills. Right now, he feels like he could be a beefed up version of T.J. Speight that could grow into a 6-foot-1 and 200-pound slot weapon. He is a truly unique playmaker, and it will be interesting to see how the Hawks utilize his talents.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: A closer look at Monmouth football's 15 recruits in the Class of 2027
