Bayonne Bees

July 20, 2024

2023: 

• 5-5 
• Lost to Passaic Tech in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 5 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Orange, North Bergen, and Kennedy 
• Losses came against Union City, Watchung Hills, West Orange, and Lincoln 
• Scored 220 points for a 22.0 average 
• Allowed 228 points for a 22.8 average 

Graduation: 

• TE/DE Tyrell Hardy – Lackawanna (Pa. JUCO) 
• LB Jeremy George – Rider for wrestling 
• OL/DL Justin Perry – Felician for wrestling 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 8  

Quarterback: 

• Nico Sampson, Junior, 6-2, 185 – returning starter 
• Leo Lin, Junior, 5-9, 190 – key reserve who started a few games 

Running Back: 

• Chance Fischer, Junior, 5-6, 175 – part of committee; returning starter, moving from wide receiver and caught  
• Jared Edwards, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – part of committee 
• Vanquan McNair, Junior, 5-8, 200 – part of committee 

Wide Receiver: 

• Deon McKinnon, Junior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter 
• Jerome Hayes, Jr., Junior, 6-2, 200 – returning starter 
• Kamal Rouse, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter in the slot 

Tight End: 

• Xavier Paulino, Junior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter; missed 2023 with an injury 

Offensive Line: 

• Jeremy Rogalski, Senior, 6-3, 270 – 3-year starter at tackle 
• James Fowler, Senior, 6-2, 255 – returning starter at tackle 
• Casius Velasquez, Senior, 6-3, 265 – returning starter at guard 
• Josue Pena, Senior, 5-11, 225 – returning starter; started games before being injured 
• Eryc Thomas, Senior, 5-10, 220 – competing at guard 
• Fady Mansour, Senior, 6-0, 305 – competing at guard 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 3 

Defensive Line: 

• James Fowler, Senior, 6-2, 255 – returning starter at end 
• Xavier Paulino, Junior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter at end 
• Omar Clark, Sophomore, 6-1, 230 – projected starter at tackle 
• Fady Mansour, Senior, 6-0, 305 – competing at tackle 
• Jeremy Rogalski, Senior, 6-3, 270 – competing at tackle 
• Casius Velasquez, Senior, 6-3, 265 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Jerome Hayes, Jr., Junior, 6-2, 200 – returning starter 
• Vanquan McNair, Junior, 5-8, 200 – competing and will play 
• Ben Edwards, Senior, 5-10, 215 – competing and will play 

Secondary: 

• David Mendez, Junior, 5-8, 165 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Chance Fischer, Junior, 5-6, 175 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Juelze Jackson-Holland, Sophomore, 6-2, 175 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Deon McKinnon, Junior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter at free safety 
• Chaim Salisbury, Senior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter at strong safety
• Kameron Martin, Junior, 5-9, 160 – projected starter at the rover 
• Nasir Ransom, Junior, 6-1, 180 – part of the free safety rotation 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Mike Tawfik returns as the kicker and he is competing with senior Ben Edwards at the punter 
• Fischer and Jared Edwards are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/6, Elizabeth at home 
• Friday, 9/13, at Union City 
• Friday, 9/20, at Irvington 
• Friday, 9/27, Paterson Eastside at home 
• Friday, 10/4, at Clifton 
• Friday, 10/11, East Side (Newark) at home 
• Friday, 10/18, at Columbia 
• Friday, 10/25, Orange at home 

Concerns: 

• Youth and inexperience 
• Replacing running back Rocky Rodriguez 
• Playing together and becoming cohesive 

Recruiting: 

• Velasquez and Rogalski are receiving D2/D3 interest 
• Fowler played football for the first time last year and he is the sleeper, a hard worker, and can play center or guard at the next level 
• Underclassmen: 
• McKinnon is a Power-4 type who has 4.5 speed, with good hands, versatility, and leadership 
• Hayes is 1-a or 1-AA as a linebacker 
• Sampson has impressed at the Rutgers camp and and Syracuse 7-on-7  

Coach’s Comments: 

“I came in with the current junior class two years ago. The team will be athletic and working hard.” – Head Coach Jerome Hayes