Jersey Sports Zone is excited to formally announce the five finalists for the 2024 Zoneman Trophy — JSZ’s high school football player of the year in New Jersey. The winner will be announced next week!
The History of the Zoneman Trophy
By Rich Chrampanis, Jersey Sports Zone Chief Operating Officer
In the year 2000, I received the great honor of a Heisman Trophy ballot as I started my tenure on television at WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was so excited to get the chance to weigh in on such a significant award and it got me thinking of bringing the same kind of excitement to our high school football coverage. So we built a trophy and instead of the Heisman, the Zoneman was born. During my 15 years, we were fortunate to have some outstanding winners of our award starting with former Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins linebacker Lawrence Timmons, former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson and former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who caught the game-winning TD pass for Clemson in the 2016 National Championship game.
The Zoneman tradition is still going strong in South Carolina, began its New Jersey chapter on the Jersey Shore and is now a statewide honor. We’re excited to continue this tradition in New Jersey high school football as we will present the most outstanding player in the state with our eighth Annual Zoneman Trophy.
Previous Zoneman Trophy Winners:
2023: Micah Ford, Toms River North QB
2022: Micah Ford, Toms River North QB
2021: LeQuint Allen, Millville RB | Syracuse
2020: Audric Estime, St. Joe’s (Mont.) RB | Notre Dame
2019: Fadil Diggs, Woodrow Wilson DL/WR | Texas A&M
2018: Jalahn Dabney, Somerville QB
2017: Ashante Worthy, Freehold Boro QB
Zoneman Trophy Balloting
The 2024 Zoneman Trophy will be voted on by coaches from each conference in the state (SFC, WJFL, NJIC, Big Central, and Shore) as well as Jersey Sports Zone’s staff of multimedia journalists and other credentialed media around the state. Each ballot includes a first-place vote (three points), a second-place vote (two points), and a third-place vote (one point).
We are honored to announce the 2024 Zoneman Trophy Finalists in alphabetical order!
Lotzeir Brooks | Millville WR/DB
Brooks’ historic high school career came to a close in 2024 with 56 catches, 1,260 yards and 16 touchdown catches this fall. He broke NJ’s all-time receiving yards record this season in the process and now stands No. 1 all-time. Brooks also doubled as a lockdown defensive back and had 30 tackles with 3 interceptions. Brooks, a senior, is committed and signed to play at Alabama.
Brooks is a two-time Zoneman Trophy finalist and the second Millville player to be a finalist (LeQuint Allen, 2021 – Zoneman Trophy winner).
Nolan James | DePaul Catholic RB
James set career-high numbers this fall en route to leading the Spartans to a Non-Public B state championship. DePaul’s workhorse runner handled 243 carries for 1,921 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdown to go along with 27 catches, 340 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. James, a senior, is committed and signed to play at Notre Dame.
James could potentially be DePaul Catholic’s first Zoneman Trophy Winner.
Jahmir Joseph | St. Joseph Regional DB
Joseph’s reputation as New Jersey’s premiere lockdown cornerback was on full display all season long. The Green Knight lined up head-to-head against each team’s best WR and consistently made plays. Joseph had a career-high four interceptions this fall along with 29 tackles. Joseph, a senior, is committed and signed to play at Penn State.
Joseph could potentially be the Green Knights’ second Zoneman Trophy winner (Audric Estime – 2020 Zoneman Trophy Winner).
Cam Miller | Winslow Township WR/DB
Miller was the face of Winslow football this season as they ran the table to a perfect 14-0 season that concluded with a Group 4 state championship. The Eagles’ top threat had 42 catches for 722 yards and 14 touchdown receptions – he also had 28 tackles and two interceptions. Miller, a senior, is committed and signed to play at Kentucky.
Miller is Winslow Township’s first-ever Zoneman Trophy finalist.
Quincy Porter | Bergen Catholic WR
Porter has long been recognized as NJ’s top-ranked Class of 2025 recruit and earned that ranking week after week. Porter had 57 catches, 969 yards and 11 touchdowns this season for NJ’s consensus No. 1 ranked team – one that won a fourth-consecutive Non-Public A state championship. Porter, a senior, is committed and signed to play at Ohio State.
Porter is the sixth Bergen Catholic player to be named a Zoneman Trophy finalist (Johnny Langan, 2017; Rahmir Johnson, 2018; Steve Angeli, 2021; Malachi Mercer, 2022; Kaj Sanders, 2023).
