High School

Bergen Catholic freshman Jackson Vaughn emerging as one of nation’s top 2028 edge rushers

New Jersey standout earns national accolades and garners 27 fffers from top college programs

Caleb Sisk

Jackson Vaughn during a high school football game
Jackson Vaughn during a high school football game / Jackson Vaughn Twitter

Jackson Vaughn has quickly established himself as one of the nation’s most promising high school football prospects.

The 2028 edge rusher from Bergen Catholic High School (NJ) stands at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and has already received 27 scholarship offers, including from Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Syracuse.

Vaughn’s dominance on the field has earned him numerous accolades, including High School on SI’s Newcomer of the Year. However, that is just one of several honors he has collected as a freshman.

Jackson Vaugn's Accolades:

FBU Freshman All American

High School On SI Freshman All Freshman

High School On SI All American Newcomer of the Year

SFC Second-Team All-Conference

NJ.com All-Non-Public First-Team Defense

Following his Newcomer of the Year award, Vaughn reflected on the recognition in an interview with High School on SI.

“To be named Newcomer of the Year is a huge honor,” Vaughn said. “I’m extremely thankful to High School on SI for recognizing me and my athletic ability, as well as the productive season I had last year. I work hard every day to develop my craft and get better. I’m truly blessed and thankful to even be mentioned in the same breath as some of the other award recipients.”

State Championship Success & Future Goals

Vaughn was instrumental in Bergen Catholic’s fourth consecutive state championship, recording a multi-sack performance in the title game.

“I feel the season overall went extremely well. Winning our fourth straight championship was a huge accomplishment,” Vaughn said. “Being a freshman playing varsity football at this elite level was definitely an adjustment, but I think I proved a lot to myself, as well as to others, about how I matched up against the best talent across the country.”

While Vaughn has already accomplished a great deal, he remains focused on improving his game and breaking records.

“I had a lot of success last season, but there’s still work to do,” he said. “My goals for next year are to bring a fifth championship back to Bergen Catholic, lead the team in sacks, and ultimately break the sack record at Bergen Catholic. I also want to be recognized as a top-10 edge rusher in the country, the No. 1 edge rusher in my class (2028), and a top-five overall player in my class.”

Pushing for Defensive Player of the Year

When asked whether he aims to earn High School on SI’s Defensive Player of the Year award next season, Vaughn didn’t hesitate.

“Simply put, ABSOLUTELY! I am definitely aiming to be DPOY for High School on SI next year, and I think it’s doable,” he said. “I will continue to stay focused, stay hungry, and work hard. Everything else will fall into place.”

Recruiting & College Preferences

With 27 offers already on the table, Vaughn is carefully considering his next steps in the recruiting process.

“I’m truly thankful for each and every offer I’ve received,” Vaughn said. “There are several schools that stand out, but the most important factor for me is finding a program where the coaches and staff are really committed to me. Outside of that, I’m looking for the right cultural fit, early playing opportunities, and a school with both strong academics and athletics. I don’t want one without the other.”

As one of the top young defensive prospects in the nation, Vaughn’s recruitment will continue to generate national attention as he prepares for his sophomore season.

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Caleb Sisk
CALEB SISK

Caleb Sisk is a talented sports journalist from the state of Georgia. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sisk's passion for sports grew. Bringing years of recruiting coverage experience, he has been named a National Recruiting Reporter and covers various college sites on the On SI network. He takes pride in covering recruiting and has been featured by numerous companies for his excellent coverage and knowledge. He has also spent time at other companies, including Rivals, where he covered the Tennessee Volunteers.

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