Class of 2026 LB/DB Zaiden McDonald (NJ) Flipped to Stanford

[721Comstock]

Zaiden McDonald 2026 Jr Highlights

QwikCut Video & Analytics

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OMG. That little pop pass on the goal line is $$$$.

He doesn’t ‘look’ fast because he’s a glider / long-strider.
But seems to have plenty o speed, in addition to plus size even now.

 

[DoctorBombay]

 

[wfschrec]

He has been on board for a while…..

I know but was the last add of 25 … hell things move so fast everything feels recent lol

 

[djorange1989]

I can't believe Rutgers didn't offer him.

Shady wasn’t impressed with his ability to take out the opposing QB during victory formation, which is a weekly occurrence at Rutgers

 

[tptcuse]

At this rate of NJ recruiting, it won't be long before you have former students playing for Fran.

 

[BillSU]

COMMITTED 3/31/25!!!! ALL NEW INFO! V
ZAIDEN MCDONALD MALCOM X SHABAZZ HS NEWARK, NJ
# 29 6' 2" 190// LB / S / RB/ WR/ ATH

ASSETS PER QWIKCUT SOPH FILM:

EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETE. PLAYS LISTED POSITIONS VERY WELL
IN THE QWIKCUT.COM FILM SHOWS SKILLS @ OLB, RB, WR, DB

VERY QUICK
FAST

D
VERY AGGRESSIVE
EXCELLENT TACKLING SKILLS
BLITZES SACKS QB & RB
GREAT VISION
3 INT'S
PBU'S

O
@ RB
FAST
ELUSIVE
GREAT BALANCE/MOVES

@ WR
EXCELLENT HANDS
CATCHES EVERYTHING

Syracuse football has landed a commitment from a coveted prospect in New Jersey. Class of 2026 Newark (NJ) Malcolm X Shabazz athlete Zaiden McDonald has committed to the Orange. The 6-1, 190 pounder chose Syracuse over offers from Boston College, Duke, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and several others.

“I like coach Fran and his new approach to the program,” McDonald said.

He is being recruited to Syracuse as a linebacker/safety. He indicated that the coaching staff was excited when he told them he was committing.

‌
McDonald is rated a three star athlete by both 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite Ranking. He is ranked the 46th best safety in the 2026 class and 12th best player in New Jersey by 247Sports. The Composite slots him 672nd overall, 57th at his position and 12th in the state. While rated three star, he is a high three star with an 88 grade. A 90 grade would mean a four star rating.

Syracuse's 2026 is currently ranked 14th in the nation. It includes edge Jarius Rodgers out of Fleming Island in Florida, offensive lineman Javeion Cooper out of Melbournce Central Catholic in Florida, defensive back Jaxson Gates out of Damien High in California, linebacker Maurice Medley out of St. Frances Academy in Maryland, wide receiver BJ Garrett out of Middletown High in Delaware, wide receiver Phoenix Henriquez out of Smyrna High in Delaware, running back D'Antae Sheffey out of Harrisburg High in Pennsylvania, offensive lineman Jojo White out of Camden High in New Jersey, offensive lineman Steven Pickard out of IMG Academy in Florida, athlete E'Shawn Sutton out of Winter Park High in Florida, athlete Darnell Stokes out of Indian River High in Delaware, quarterback Zaid Lott out of Providence Day School in North Carolina, edge Kamron Wilson out of Miami Southridge in Florida and athlete Zaiden McDonald out of Malcolm Shabazz High in New Jersey.

‌
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2024-2025 Featured Stats NJ.com
Tackles - Total
Total
79
Average
6.58
Sacks
Total
4
Average
0.333
Rushing Yardage
Total
295
Average
42.1
Rushing Touchdowns
Total
2
Average
0.286

 

[bnoro]

Fran talks the talk and walks the walk. Another tremendous get.

 

[cusefan88]

Could play LB and DB. I do believe the defensive scheme has a good role for him.

 

[cuse45]

This kid is an athlete. I expect him to get on the field early. Probably starts out at safety imo.

 

[klemmer56]

Looks like a prime candidate to play the Star role.

I absolutely love this kids film.

 

[CuseMan4]

Fran talks the talk and walks the walk. Another tremendous get.

I’m more of a basketball guru and not too into football scouting. But follow the football team like a diehard as well. How do you think this class is looking off the start? Anything that sticks out to you?

 

[CIL]

I’m more of a basketball guru and not too into football scouting. But follow the football team like a diehard as well. How do you think this class is looking off the start? Anything that sticks out to you?

Currently ranked top 10. I doubt we’ll stay there but we could very well end up top 25, which we haven’t been since the 90’s.

Admittedly, I’m less geeked up about recruiting in the post portal world - you have to recruit these kids every single year.

You now have to factor in portal input and output to get a full picture of the roster.

 

[CbusCuse]

And

So we will have a Zaid and a Zaiden.

I like it.

And possibly soon to be Zayas. Crazy stuff.

 

[PAcuse]

 

[cuse45]

I’m more of a basketball guru and not too into football scouting. But follow the football team like a diehard as well. How do you think this class is looking off the start? Anything that sticks out to you?

I know you didn’t ask me but I’ve been following Syracuse recruiting for 20 years. The caliber of players we’re getting commitments from is the best crop of athletes with size, height, and speed overall. The last two commits would be top 2-3 of any class under babers/Shafer/Marrons imo

 

[bnoro]

I’m more of a basketball guru and not too into football scouting. But follow the football team like a diehard as well. How do you think this class is looking off the start? Anything that sticks out to you?

Fran to me is trying to accumulate as much talent as possible and figure out where it fits.

Usually this early in a class, you might have some kids with no other offers, or some peer schools. We have a few kids with massive offer lists and not just our traditional peer schools.

That's how I tend to evaluate good offers before looking at the tape. But the tape shows a lot of these guys play hard and play the right way. It's very encouraging.

 

[wfschrec]

Fran to me is trying to accumulate as much talent as possible and figure out where it fits.

Usually this early in a class, you might have some kids with no other offers, or some peer schools. We have a few kids with massive offer lists and not just our traditional peer schools.

That's how I tend to evaluate good offers before looking at the tape. But the tape shows a lot of these guys play hard and play the right way. It's very encouraging.

The other encouraging thing is the offers these kids receive after Fran offers … some of them are racking up impressive lists.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

At this rate of NJ recruiting, it won't be long before you have former students playing for Fran.

Don't think I haven't thought about that! My district is tiny, but my kids' district is pretty big. Fran is currently recruiting a lineman in my son's sophomore class.

 

[steve deberg]

Just to tie this post into the Zaiden thread, to me, Zaiden looks like on the (if not the best of the bunch). Long athlete with room to grow - upwards and outwards).

Jarius Roges, 6/5, 210 - DE from FL). SEC/ B1G Offers: FSU, Illinois, Kentucky, and more P4s)
Ziaden McDonals, 6'2 190 - LB/S rrom FL). SEC/ BIG offers: Illinois, Kentucky, MSU, UNC, NW, Ohio St., Ped State, Tenn, WisconsIn)
Javeoin Cooper (T or G), 6'/4", 295 (OT/OG from FL): SEC/ BIG10 Offers: Ole Miss, UF, FSU, Ped State, + more P4s
Jaxon Gates - Safety (I assume), 6'1, 170: MSU, + other P4s
Kamron Wilson - Edge, 6'5, 210 - EDGE from Florida): FSU, Minny, Illinois, Iowa, MSU, Miss St, Nebraska, Ole Miss, UF, + other P4s
Maurice Medley - LB, 6'1, 215 EDGE/ LB from MD: UMD: UF, USCal, UMD, Mich, MSU, Ped State, Plus more P4 offers
BJ Garret- WR, 6'3, 175, WR from Del. (UMD + Rutgers + P4 offers superior to those)
E-Shawn Sutton - WR, 5'11, 190 from FL: ( SEC/ BIG10 Offers: None - yet. Has 4+ P4 offers and Ivey league offers. Every team need a couple Ivy League calibre students from time to time. Nothing but goods things for the culture.
D'Antae Shefflrey, RB, 5'11, 180 from PA: SEC/BIG offers from Wisconsin and Rutgers + a whole bunch from the our P4 peers.
Zaid Lott, QB, 6'4 w/ crocs on, 215 lbs from FL: SEC BIG offers from FSU + BC, NCU, NC State, and VT.
Phoenix Henriquez, WR, 6'1, 165 from Delaware: SEC/ BIG offers : UMD (Choose to believe he flew under radar due to spending much of the last two recruiting cycle biding his time to spread his wings)
Jojo White: IOL, 6/5, 260 from NJ. Only reporting off him I see, but in Fran I trust. As an aside, everything I see his name it reminds me of the character Yorky from Jojo Rabbit. I am sold.
Steven Pickard, IOL, 6'5, 300, from IMG/ FL - believe he was a transplant from SC or NC. Currently ony offer (as far as I can tell) but he has made non-OV invite only trips to FSU, NCS, Duke, UMD, Gamecocks, UV, WF, and GT.
Darnell Stokes, WR, 6/2, 185 from DEL: SEC/ BIG offer: Rugters. P4's: WVU

Height, Length, and Versatility seems to be an obvious common thread fro Fran.

Already look like a more impressive class than 25’, with a lot of big boys coming up for OVs in the coming weeks.

 

[bnoro]

Just to tie this post into the Zaiden thread, to me, Zaiden looks like on the (if not the best of the bunch). Long athlete with room to grow - upwards and outwards).

Jarius Roges, 6/5, 210 - DE from FL). SEC/ B1G Offers: FSU, Illinois, Kentucky, and more P4s)
Ziaden McDonals, 6'2 160 - LB/S rrom FL). SEC/ BIG offers: Illinois, Kentucky, UMS,UNC, NW, Ohio St., Ped State , Tenn, WisconsIn)
Javeoin Cooper (T or G), 6'/4", 295 (OT/OG from FL): SEC/ BIG10 Offers::Ole Miss, UF, FSU, Ped State, + more P4s
Jaxon Gates - Safety (I assume), 6'1, 170 - MSU, +other P4s
Kamron Wilson - Edge, 6'5, 210 - EDGE from Florida): FSU, Minny, Illinois, Iowa, MSU, Miss St, Nebraska, Ole Miss, UF, + other P4s
Maurice Medley - LB, 6'1, 215 EDGE/ LB from UMD: UF, USCal, UMD, Mich, MSU, Ped State, Plus more P4 offers
BJ Garret- WR, 6'3, 175, WR from Del. (UMD + Rutgers + P4 offers superior ot those)
E-Shawn Sutton - WR, 5'11, 190 from FL: ( SEC/ BIG10 Offers: None - yet. Has 4+ P4 offers and Ivey league offers. Everyone team need a couple ivy league calibre students from time to time. Nothing but goods things for the culture,
D'Antae Shefflrey, RB, 5'11, 180 from PA: SEC/BIG offers from Wisconsin and Rutgers + a whole bunch from the our P4 peers.
Zaid Lott, QB, 6'4 w/ crocs on, 215 lbs from FL: SEC BIG offers from FSU + BC, NCU, NC State, and VT.
Phoenix Henriquez, WR, 6'1, 165 from Delaware: SEC/ BIG offers : UMD (Choose to believe he flew under radar due to spending much of the last two recruiting cycle biding his time to spread his wings)
Jojo White: IOL, 6/5, 260 from NJ. Only reporting off him I see, but in Fran I trust. As an aside, everything I see his name it reminds me of the character Yorky from Jojo Rabbit. I am sold.
Steven Pickard, IOL, 6'5, 300, from IMG/ FL - believe he was a transplant from SC or NC. Currently over offer (as far as I can tell) but he has made non-OV invite only trips tp FSU, NCS, Duke, UMD, Gamecocks, UV, WF, and GT.
Darnell Stokes, WR, 6/2, 185 from DEL: SEC/ BIG offer: Rugters. P4's: WVU

Hight, Lengths, and Versatility seems to one obvious common thread fro Fran.

Already look like a more impressive class than 25', which a lot of big boys coming up for OVs in the coming weeks.

I wonder if this class is good enough for anomander

 

[orangemass]

Need some stocky guys now

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Need some stocky guys now

 

[Niastri]

Need some stocky guys now

We recruited a ton of very big boys in the ‘25 class, plus a bunch of guys and a couple transfers who were freshman this past year.

Maybe speed position players are higher priority this recruiting class?

 

[PeteCalvin]

Just a couple days late to the party.

 

[OrangeFreek]

Just Flipped to Stanford FUDGEEEEEE