Vote: Who was New Jersey’s top freshman football player of 2023?
The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.
One of the big questions is what newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where freshman that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.
That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top freshman football player of 2023?
We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the freshmen that won going head-to-head.
We’ve selected eight worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on January 13th, 2024.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are the nominees:
Jalen Parker, QB, Winslow Township: The signal caller just completed a solid first season under center. Parker completed 88-of-145 passes for 1,500 yards, 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Rushed for 82 yards and three scores.
Ausar Heard, LB, Winslow Township: Heard already has the frame of a player that’s an upperclassman at 5-foot-10, 205-pounds. This past season at outside linebacker, Heard impressed by making 94 tackles and three went for a loss.
Anthony Tirico, QB, Seneca: The 5-foot-11, 184-pound quarterback had himself a strong 2023 campaign. Tirico ended up completing 128-of-218 passes for 1,841 yards, 17 touchdowns. Tirico also rushed for 333 yards and scored three times.
Ahmad Jones, QB, Pleasantville: Another freshman quarterback that had a good fall season was Jones. The signal caller finished 2023 completing 83-of-140 passes for 1,221 yards and 18 touchdowns. Jones added 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Karon Ceaser, RB, Penns Grove: Ceaser showed plenty of versatility being able to run the rock and catch out of the backfield. The running back rushed for 1,085 yards on 152 attempts and scored seven touchdowns. Also caught nine passes for 109 yards.
Davon Barr, RB/LB, Glassboro: Whether Barr was in the backfield or lining up at linebacker, the freshman made plays. The linebacker tallied 692 yards on 123 carries, scoring three touchdowns. Also caught 11 passes for 76 yards and made 28 tackles on defense.
Xavier Sabb, ATH, Glassboro: Sabb was another freshman for Glassboro making plays all over the field. The athlete compiled an impressive 1,424 total all-purpose yards, including 10 touchdowns. Sabb also made 20 tackles and intercepted two passes.
Donnyrocco Sosa, G/LB, St. John Vianney: Not many defenders can track down opposing ball carriers and then go flip to offense playing offensive line. Sosa did that this past season, notching 93 tackles and then helping pace the way for an offense that totaled over 2,500 yards in 2023.
