PITMAN, NJ – The New Jersey Athletic Conference named AJ Ryker the 2024 NJAC Football Defensive Rookie of the Year to highlight nine Profs that were selected All-Conference.

First-team honors went to John Scibilia, Eric Bryant, Ahmad Gantt, and Jason Blanks. Ryker, Chris Rodgers, and Matt Chinchillo were chosen for the second team. Josh Ortiz and Tyshawn Bookman earned spots in the honorable mention list.

It is the second All-League honor for Blanks, Bryant, Gantt, Ortiz, and Scibilia.

This season, Ryker was second on the team in total tackles (45) and added 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and 7.0 tackles for losses (49 yards) in his first year on the team.

Blanks (36 tackles, four pass breakups, three interceptions, forced fumble, 4.0 TFL) and Bryant (32 tackles, 3.0 TFL, forced fumble, team-leading five picks and five pass breakups) join Ryker in a secondary that lead the NJAC in lowest pass yardage allowed (164.5 ypg) and total yardage (283.1 ypg).

Gantt led the squad with 4.5 sacks (36 yards) as the defensive end added 33 stops, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and 7.0 TFL.

Rodgers, a linebacker, was third on the team with 43 tackles, kicking in a team-best 10.5 tackle for losses (34 yards) along with 3.5 sacks.

Ortiz recorded 18 tackles with two QB hurries from his nose tackle position.

Scibilia and Chinchillo contributed to the offense that averaged over 350 yards a game. Scibilia, a tight end, totaled four catches for 28 yards and a score. Chinchillo is a freshman offensive lineman.

Bookman led the team in rushing (466 yards) and added two scores as the sophomore running back added 25 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown.

Rowan, under first-year head coach Pat Ruley, went 4-2 in NJAC play and 6-4 overall, winning its final three games of the year.
 
 

2024 NJAC FOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Malin Jasinski, TCNJ
SAM MILLS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Arnold Young, Montclair State
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Greg Casimir, Montclair State
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:SyRus McGowan, Salisbury
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Salisbury
(Sherman Wood, Robb Disbennett, Ryan Fleetwood, Doug Fleetwood, Kevin Colliton, Sean Grande, Connor Lugo, Noah Chin, Rahsaan Ellis, Casey Counts)