Irvington Blue Knights 

June 28, 2026

2025: 

• 3-7 
• Lost to Union City in the North Jersey Section 2 quarterfinals 
• Wins came against Bayonne, Columbia, and Orange 
• Losses were against Passaic Tech, Ramapo, West Orange, Union City, Seton Hall Prep, and Livingston 
• Scored 227 points for a 22.7 average 
• Allowed 227 points for a 22.7 average 

Graduation: 

• RB/DB Jayden Herron – Delaware Valley (Pa.) 
• DT Brandon McCalla – Eureka (Chicago) 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 8 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Justin Spellman, Junior, 6-2-½, 200 – returning starter; passed for 1,833 yards and 15 touchdowns-to-6 interceptions; rushed for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns 

Running Back:  

• Leonidas Williams, Senior, 5-8, 175 – projected co-starter  
• Nadree Richardson, Junior, 5-9, 175 – projected co-starter 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jamir Howell, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter; 24 receptions for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Elliot Yirenkyi, Junior, 6-0, 165 – returning starter; 35 receptions for 410 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Jazai Reid, Senior, 5-7, 150 – returning starter at slot receiver; 33 receptions for 529 yards and 5 touchdowns 
• Sinaj Thomas-Williams, Senior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Chuck Ebiem, Senior, 6-8, 295 – 4-year starter at left tackle 
• Prince Aziawor, Senior, 6-3, 270 – 3-year starter at left guard 
• Christian Spencer, Senior, 5-10, 275 – returning starter at center, moving from guard 
• Elijah Jackson, Sophomore, 6-1, 265 – projected starter at right guard; started on defense 
• Edrins Litus, Senior, 6-3, 220 – returning starter at right tackle 

Defense:  

• Formation: 4-3 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Defensive Line:  

• Malachai Mills, Junior, 6-1-½, 215 – returning starter at end 
• Jaylin Williams, Senior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter at the opposite end 
• Elijah Jackson, Sophomore, 6-1, 265 – returning starter ta tackle 
• Khyan Brydie, Junior, 6-2, 230 – returning starter at tackle 
• CJ Langley, Junior, 6-2, 290 – part of the tackle rotation  

Linebacker:  

• Donte Shuler, Senior, 5-10, 215 – 3-year starter in the middle 
• Jahlil Coursey, Junior, 6-1, 185 – projected starter on the strong side who saw action 
• Nolen Lyle, Junior, 6-1, 170 – competing on the weak side 
• Malachai Mills, Junior, 6-1-½, 215 – returning starter at end who could end up playing on the weak side 
• Some will enter the picture in the preseason 

Secondary: 

• Naray Moody, Junior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Desmond Allen, Junior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Naziim Hooker, Senior, 6-0, 160 – competing at safety; Paramus Catholic transfer who will have to sit out first games 
• Leonidas Williams, Senior, 5-8, 175 – competing at safety 
• Jeffrey Antwi, Senior, 6-3, 185 – competing at safety 

Special Teams: 

• The kicker and punter are undecided 
• Howell and Williams will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/28, Hudson Catholic at West Orange 
• Friday, 9/24, at Union City 
• Thursday, 9/10, West Orange at home 
• Friday, 9/18, Passaic Tech at home 
• Saturday, 9/26, at Columbia 
• Friday, 10/2, Shabazz at home 
• Friday, 10/9, Bayonne at home 
• Saturday, 10/17, at East Orange 
• Saturday, 10/24, at Seton Hall Prep 

Concerns:  

• How far can they go? 

Recruiting: 

• Ebiem verballed to Monmouth
• Schuler and Howell have 1AA interest 
• Aziawor has D2 interest 
• Another player or two may go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Spelman will play somewhere 
• Mills has big potential 
• Yirenki, Moody, and Allen have college ability 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We are looking forward to the season and have been working hard at it. I am happy with our progress. We have a tough schedule, and we embrace it.” – Head Coach Marco Soto