Seton Hall Prep quarterback Jaylin Bullock looks to pass during a practice.
WEST ORANGE — The 2026 Seton Hall Prep football team is determined to have a better record this season, despite a rigorous schedule.
Last season, the Pirates were 3-7. This year, they have some nice talent.
During their Media Day earlier this summer, a positive attitude and determined approach was ever present by the players and coaches.
“I am very confident about this team and I feel that we are much improved with everyone fully on board to work together and have success,” said Cameron McClain, the Pirates’ highly recruited junior defensive lineman, who has several offers, including Syracuse, Penn State, Purdue, UConn, Minnesota and Memphis, to name a few. “We have some young guys who are hungry, along with strong senior leaders who are ready to get out there and continue to work hard each and every day in order to have a winning season.”
“Our kids have done a great job, and I am very proud of the work they have put in every day,” said ninth-year head coach Bill Fitzgerald. “There is certainly some potential with this group, but potential also means you have not done anything yet, and we know there is a great deal of work that continues to be ahead for us in order to accomplish what we want this season. Our emphasis this summer has been blocking, tackling and taking care of the football. We need to make big plays offensively and take away the big play on defense.”
Coming up with that big play on offense could be enhanced with the return of senior quarterback Jaylin Bullock. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder is ready for a full season in 2026. “I am very excited and honored to play for Seton Hall Prep,” said the Pirates’ talented veteran signal caller. “I feel that I have improved in terms of reading defenses and I continue to try to slow the game down in my approach, so I can make sure to make the plays I need to in order to help us win.”
While the Pirates will have an entire cast of wide receivers for Bullock to throw to, there are two young talented and experienced running backs to hand the ball off to in sturdy junior Leonard West and promising sophomore Adonis Rabrun.
“We have a very promising running game with guys who can do different things to get the job done in moving the ball down the field, plus a very capable offensive line, which has grown a lot as a unit,” said West. “We have put in a lot of hard work, both in the meeting room and on the field, and I believe that we are a more disciplined group, which is in terrific shape and with a great attitude.”
Defensively, the Pirates have some good experience in key spots, including at defensive ends with McClain and senior Joshua Griffith, senior talented defensive back Taylor Daniels, who has committed to Minnesota, and solid sturdy senior linebackers Colin Moore and Jayden Crawford.
As second-year defensive coordinator Gerry Moore said, “We have a lot of kids back and they are a great group to coach. Not only do we have some really good talent here, their work ethic is also outstanding and we are all on the same page in terms of looking to continue to improve each and every day. Our veteran guys are a year older, more mature as players and as fine young men who are part of a great culture here at Seton Hall Prep.”
Senior Jackson DeStefano and junior Brandon Williams are vying for time on the field in the placekicking and punting departments, as standout Declan Farrell has graduated.
The Pirates opened the season with a 28-21 loss at Mount St. Joseph in Baltimore, Maryland.
Schedule
Aug. 28: loss, at Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore), 28-21
Sept. 4: at DePaul, 6 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.), 1 p.m.
Sept. 19: vs. Delbarton, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26: vs. Pope John XXII (Sparta), 1 p.m.
Oct. 3: at St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), 1 p.m.
Oct. 17: vs. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), 1 p.m.
Oct. 24: vs. Irvington, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30: at Immaculata, 7 p.m.
Photos Courtesy of PJ Candido/Seton Hall Prep
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