In 2012, NFL alum Roman Oben started the “Roman’s Soldiers Showcase” which is now in its sixth year. The event is regarded as the state’s more popular high school football events. Football drills, functional testing, and one-on-one competition highlights the annual camp.
This year, a majority of the high school participants were from New Jersey, but it always bring other players from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and a handful of kids from New York as well. The 2017 camp took place recently and was considered another success.
Don't call it a combine as Oben, a 12-year NFL offensive tackle, doesn't believe in running 40s or testing in combine events.
Oben also had leant out some praise following his 2017 event.
"I'm very thankful for the New York Jets and Todd Bowles opening their doors to allow this event. NFL cares about high school participants.”
This year’s camp attendees were highlighted by NJ standouts Ronnie Hickman of DePaul and Kevin Brennan of Don Bosco. Meanwhile, the overall MVP was Don Bosco freshman Jalen Berger, who is expected to be one of the nation’s top recruits in the 2020 class.
However, Oben remarked on the success of more than just a few of the players who have been annual attendees of his camp.
"There have been many success stories and underrated guys, public school kids, who gained confidence competing well against the Group 4 non-public kids,” Oben said. "It's also great to see the physical maturity of guys like Eddie Lewis, Kevin Brennan, and Berrell Neal who have participated in the Showcase since they were 8th graders.”
Here is a rundown of the top performers from the event:
O-line:
Will Anderson, 2018 DelBarton
Zaakir Faith, 2018 Bergen Cath
*Rick Denboske, 2018 DePaul
D-line:
*RJ Oben, 2019 Saint Peter's Prep
John Weir, 2018, Seton Hall Prep
Sean Morris, 2019 Monsignor Bonner
Linebacker:
Willie Mathews, 2019 Montclair
Damani Faulkner 2019 Saint Peter's Prep
*Quaison Horne, 2018 Weequahic
Running Back:
*Jalen Berger Overall MVP
Romeo Holden (RB/Ath), 2018 New Rochelle
Michael Fields, 2018 Shabazz
Wide Receiver:
Christian Dremel, 2019 Don Bosco
Donovan Bell, 2020 Montclair
*Christian Izien, 2018 Pope John
Matt Adams (TE) 2019, SPP
Defensive Back:
Jordon Morant, 2020 Bergen Catholic
*Ronnie Hickman, 2019 DePaul
David Orduson, 2018 Shabazz
Melique Steamer, 2018 St. Francis HAS
Kevin Brennan, 2018 Don Bosco
Quarterback
Christian Izien 2018 Pope John
Top 8th grader 2021 - Dorian Nowell (Paramus Cath)
* Denotes Position MVP
