Some quick profiles of the rising stars among New Jersey's high school football players

MATT BOYER — DE/TE — 6-4, 265
HIGH SCHOOL: GOV. LIVINGSTON
This scholar athlete has more than a dozen scholarship offers, primarily based on his impressive defensive stats — as a junior, he registered 72 tackles and six sacks — but he is also a tight end.

JOE FAIELLA — OT — 6-4, 285
HIGH SCHOOL: FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: MARYLAND
Sometimes, prestige is all you need. Chased by schools that included Penn State and Rutgers, Faiella said he chose the Terrapins because he felt at home during his visit. It also doesn’t hurt that they play in the Atlantic Coast Conference, at the top of the pack in college football. He’ll be up against some excellent athletes in that
conference, but the athletic Faiella knows that he’s just some hard work away from being something special.

OLIVER HANEY — DT — 6-4, 260.
HIGH SCHOOL: JOHNSON CRUSADERS
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: MINNESOTA
The University of Minnesota was very aggressive in their recruiting this year (12 commitments already), and were able to land Johnson DT Oliver Haney. At an athletic 6’4”, 260 pounds, Haney has the size to stop the run and the quickness to be an effective pass rusher. Having a few holes at the defensive tackle position, Minnesota
found it impossible to stay away from such a versatile threat. Haney must have liked what he saw: he cancelled a visit to Michigan State immediately after his stay at Minnesota.

MILE MELE — OLB — 6-0, 207
HIGH SCHOOL: MANASQUAN
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: SYRACUSE
He may have rushed for 1,713 yards and 20 touchdowns in Mansquan’s 2005 state championship season, but Syracuse wasn’t interested in that. Rather, they saw the 91 tackles, three sacks, and a general demeanor of mayhem displayed by Mike Mele on the defensive side of the ball. Though he plays linebacker, Mele claims to draw influence from NFL safeties John Lynch and Troy Polamalu. This may seem a more apt comparison next season: his size and athleticism would lend themselves to a transition to safety.

AMIR MORRIS — S — 6-1, 180
HIGH SCHOOL: IRVINGTON
The move from cornerback to safety early last season paid off handsomely with nine interceptions and 38 tackles. He also contributed in the team’s aerial game as a wideout. Irvington set a school record last year with nine victories.

DESMOND STAPLETON — OT — 6-5, 300
HIGH SCHOOL: UNION FARMERS
COLLEGE COMMITMENT: RUTGERS
Every coach will tell you: you can’t teach size. Stapleton possesses all the physical traits required to play an effective offensive tackle at the college level. His presence can only strengthen a recently rejuvenated Rutgers football squad. He may have some extra motivation to play hard and earn a starting job in 2007: his brother Darnell is the Scarlet Knights starting center.

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