Newark Central Blue Devils 

2021: 

• 2-8 
• Lost to Sussex Tech in the North Jersey Group 2 consolations 
• Scored 114 points: 11.40 average 
• Allowed 269 points: 26.90 average 
• Wins came against Hoboken and Newark Collegiate 
• Losses included Lincoln, Weequahic, Hanover Park, and Immaculata 

Graduation: 

• RB/LB Yorel Davis – American International 
• OL/DL Manfing Kamara – Kean 
• OL Malachi Hemley – Kean 
• OL/DL Arthur Augustin – Keystone 
• OL Quian Thomas – Keystone 
• WR Tesean Butler – Felican for basketball 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Quarterback: 

• Ali Hillman, Sophomore, 5-10, 185 – returning starter 

Running Back: 

• Zahir Wilson, Sophomore, 6-1, 215 – returning starter in 1-and-2-back sets  
• Mekhi McCallum, Junior, 5-11, 180 – returning starter in 1-and-2-back sets 

Wide Receiver: 

• Ibn Hardin, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter from 2020; injured last year 
• Tajhir Roberts, Senior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter 
• Quran McMillan, Junior, 5-7, 135 – returning starter 
• Jahsyn Reed, Sophomore, Sophomore, 6-2, 175 – part of rotation; started on defense  
• Al-Sajade Pray, Sophomore, 5-11, 165 – part of rotation 

Offensive Line: 

• Abdul Sylla, Senior, 5-11, 225 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Deshon Harris, Senior, 6-0, 240 – returning starter at left guard 
• Wilson Nacelus, Senior, 5-8, 200 – projected starter at center 
• Wakeel Balogun, Sophomore, 5-10, 220 – projected starter at right guard 
• Zymir Tutt, Junior, 6-3, 270 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Shakur Williams, Junior, 6-2, 235 – pushing for time along the line 
• Tashawn Singleton, Sophomore, 6-4, 240 – pushing for time along the line 
• Donovan Ngouambe, Senior, 5-11, 230 – pushing for time along the line 

Defense: 

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

Defensive Line: 

• Deshon Harris, Senior, 6-0, 240 – returning starter at tackle 
• Zymir Tutt, Junior, 6-3, 270 – projected starter at tackle; saw action  
• Mekhi McCallum, Junior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter at end; Saw action 
• Wilson Nacelus, Senior, 5-8, 200 – projected starter at end 
• Wakeel Balogun, Sophomore, 5-10, 220 – part of rotation 
• Other offensive linemen may also play here 

Linebacker: 

• Zahir Wilson, Sophomore, 6-1, 215 – projected starter 
• Abdul Sylla, Senior, 5-11, 225 – returning starter, moving from end 
• Justin Murphy, Sophomore, 6-0, 215 – part of rotation 

Secondary: 

• Jahsyn Reed, Sophomore, Sophomore, 6-2, 175 – returning starter at free safety 
• Quran McMillan, Junior, 5-7, 135 – returning starter at strong safety hybrid 
• Al-Sajade Pray, Sophomore, 5-11, 165 – projected starter at strong safety hybrid 
• Ibn Hardin, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter from 2020 at cornerback; injured last year 
• Nahshon Brown, Sophomore, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at cornerback 
• DeVaughn Jackson, Sophomore, 5-8, 160 – part of rotation at safety 
• Bryant Christmas, Junior, 5-7, 160 – part of rotation at safety 

Special Teams: 

• The kicker will be sophomore Thaire Ward and senior Ibn Harden will punt 
• Christmas, McCallum, and Hardin will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/2, at Hoboken 
• Friday, 9/9, Immaculata at home 
• Saturday, 9/17, at Newark Collegiate 
• Thursday, 9/22, Weequahic at home 
• Friday, 9/30, at West Side 
• Saturday, 10/8, at Shabazz 
• Friday, 10/14, Snyder at home 
• Saturday, 10/22, Highland Park at home 

Concerns: 

• Taking things one week at a time 

Recruiting: 

• Hardin is a 1-AA prospect 
• Harris is D3 because of a height issue 
• Roberts is a D3 prospect 
• Underclassmen: 
• McMillan, Tutt, and McCullum are 1-AA prospects 
• Reid is a sophomore who can be a Power-5 prospects 
• Hillman and Wilson are 1-AA candidates 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re excited about having an experienced group. We have had a tremendous offseason, putting in a lot of work and energy. We like how it’s leading towards the season.” – Head Coach Mark Ingram