NJ high school stars to watch in upcoming college bowl games

Brandon Wimbush joins 40+ New Jersey high school football players participating in upcoming college bowl games this year.  New Jersey Prep and Catholic schools such as Don Bosco, St. Peters, St. Anthony, Paramus Catholic and Bergen Catholic are regularly producing top tier D1 athletes.

Wimbush might be the most well recognized name amongst the bunch, but the senior quarterback from the third ranked Fighting Irish certainly faced some unusual circumstances this past season.  Pulled from the starting lineup after a 3-0 start, Wimbush watched patiently from the sidelines until returning to lead the Irish to a big win over the Florida State Seminoles.  Notre Dame is preparing for a December 29 college bowl match-up versus number two ranked Clemson.  The Tigers are an eleven-point favorite over Brian Kelly’s undefeated Irish.

Here are just a few of the other top New Jersey football player’s competing in this year’s bowl games:

Jordan Fuller
A junior safety from Norwood, played at NV/Old Tappan, was first team All-Big Ten for Ohio State. Fuller has 72 tackles and is ranked No. 2 on the team.  Fuller’s 53 solo tackles rank him No. 1 on the team. The Buckeyes face Washington in the Rose Bowl, Urban Meyers final game as head coach.

Josh Allen
The senior linebacker from Montclair is a potential first-round draft pick and a strong candidate for college Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 man-child has notched 84 tackles (52 solo), 14 sacks and six interceptions for Kentucky. The Wildcats face Penn State in the Citrus Bowl.

Kenny Pickett & Maurice Ffrench
Pickett is a sophomore quarterback from Oakhurst, who played at Ocean Township, has thrown for 1,833 yards and 12 touchdowns for Pittsburgh. Ffrench, a junior wide receiver from New Brunswick, has 30 catches for 466 yards and six touchdowns for Pittsburgh. The Panthers face Stanford in the Sun Bowl.

Olamide Zaccheaus and Hasise DuBois
Virginia’s top receivers both come from the New Jersey. Zaccheaus,  played at St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.), has 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns.  Zaccheaus was named All-ACC. DuBois, played at DePaul, has 47 receptions for 521 yards and five touchdowns. The Cavaliers face South Carolina in the Belk Bowl.