Shabazz Bulldogs 

July 16, 2024

2023: 

• 8-5 
• Lost to Mountain Lakes in the North Jersey Group 1 regional final 
• Won the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 championship by beating Butler, Glen Ridge in the semifinals, and Cedar Grove in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Glen Ridge, Newark Central, and Hoboken 
• Losses were to Weequahic, Randolph, Cedar Grove, and Lincoln 
• Scored 464 points for a 35.69 average 
• Allowed 264 points for a 20.31 average, including two shutouts 

Graduation: 

• OL Judah Pruitt – Boston College 
• WR Nayad Walker – Towson 
• OL/DL Laquan Gaddy – Central Connecticut State 
• LB Naishaun Davis – Western Connecticut 
• LB Lennox Bonsu – Western Connecticut 
• OL/DL Jaleim Chisolm – Western Connecticut 
• RB/DB Bi’shay Sanders – Montclair State 
• QB Nazir Smith – Utica (NY) 
• OL Yasim Collins – King’s College (Pa.) 
• WR/DB Kezah Hall – Hudson Valley CC (NY) 
• RB/DB Rahmir Jackson – Monroe College (NY JUCO) 
• RB Jeffery White – Monroe College (NY JUCO) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Wing T in the gun
• Returning Starters: 4 

Quarterback: 

• Romelo Tables, Senior, 6-1, 195 – projected starter 
• Karriem Coston, Sophomore, 6-0, 175 – provides depth 

Running Back: 

• Jaden Cline, Senior, 5-7, 185 – projected starter 
• Daveion Porter, Senior, 5-7, 160 – returning starter at wide receiver who will also spell Cline 
• Zaiden McDonald, Junior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter at tight end who will also spell Cline 

Wide Receiver: 

• Daveion Porter, Senior, 5-7, 160 – returning starter 
• Omari Gaines, Senior, 6-2, 195 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Ian Adrian, Senior, 5-9, 180 – projected starter 
• Rayquan Clark, Junior, 5-8, 155 – part of the rotation; started on defense  
• Sahaaj Bennett, Senior, 5-11, 175 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

• Zaiden McDonald, Junior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter; 19 receptions and 347 yards per nj.com  

Offensive Line: 

• Mike Caulhoun, Senior, 6-5, 310 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Makai Dortch-Walker, Sophomore, 6-2, 250 – projected starter at left guard 
• Felix Santiago, Senior, 5-10, 240 – 3-year starter at center 
• Devonte Harris, Junior, 5-9, 250 – projected starter at right guard 
• Elijah Walker-Schnell, Sophomore, 5-10, 230 – competing at right tackle 
• Dave Ukuwrere, Senior, 6-0, 245 – competing at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5  
• Returning Starters: 7

Defensive Line: 

• Adetayo Adekunbi, Sophomore, 6-2, 245 – returning starter at end 
• Dave Ukewrere, Senior, 6-0, 245 – projected starter at end 
• Mubarak Towobade, Senior, 6-2, 250 – part of the end rotation 
• Nasir Bennett, Sophomore, 6-1, 280 – returning starter at tackle 
• Makai Dortch-Walker, Sophomore, 6-2, 250 – projected starter at tackle; started one game vs. Mountain Lakes in playoffs 
• Devonte Harris, 5-9, 250 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Dajon Fields, Senior, 5-10, 270 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Mike Caulhoun, Senior, 6-5, 310 – part of the tackle rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Zaiden McDonald, Junior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter 
• Zaiden Hughes, Junior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter 
• Wilbert (Zykir) Best, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation 
• Jayden Robinson, Junior, 6-0, 170 – part of the rotation 
• Antonio Blackmon, Sophomore, 5-10, 165 – part of the rotation 
• Jahsyr Mayes, Junior, 6-0, 185 – part of the rotation 

Secondary: 

• Omari Gaines, Senior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter at free safety 
• Daveion Porter, Senior, 5-7, 160 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Rayquan Clark, Junior, 5-8, 155 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Zyhir Brown, Senior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Sahaaj Bennett, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Nasir Richardson, Freshman, 6-2, 170 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Ahmad McClain, Freshman, 5-8, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Elijah Reid, Senior, 5-11, 175 – part of the cornerback rotation 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Omari Gaines returns as the kicker and the punter will be decided in camp 
• Porter and Cline are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/7, at Lincoln 
• Friday, 9/13, West Side at home 
• Friday, 9/20, Hoboken at home 
• Friday, 9/27, Immaculata at home 
• Friday, 10/4, at Snyder 
• Thursday, 10/10, Caldwell at home 
• Friday, 10/18, at Kinnelon 
• Friday, 10/25, at Verona 
• Thursday, 11/28, Weequahic at home 

Concerns: 

• Staying healthy 
• Having young guys on the offensive line, to develop them throughout the season 

Recruiting: 

• Gaines verballed to Stanford 
• Tables has offers from Temple and UConn 
• Cline has offers from Army and Delaware State 
• Bennett has an offer from Kent State 
• Caulhoun has interest from Delaware State and Morgan State 
• Zyhir Brown has interest from Towson and Bennett 
• Porter has interest from Bryant, Delaware State, Morgan State, and Howard 
• Underclassmen: 
• McDonald has 15 offers, including Tennessee, Penn State, Kentucky, Maryland, and Illinois 
• Mayes and Clark will play somewhere 
• There is talent in the underclassmen, but they must prove it 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re excited and coming off a strong season. We have a lot of players back and take things one week at a time, improve, and be ready for the playoffs.” – Head Coach Naz Oliver