We took some time to review the top freshman for 2025 based on their overall performance this season thus far. There are only 127 first-year players with stats this season representing less than 5% of the total players. This metric is down from prior years with less freshman able to penetrate the rosters. Of those 127, twenty were able to achieve a 50% percentile score compared to all players in the state. Only 3 were in the top 10% overall.

Here is the NJP Top 5:

Alex Susan – Hillsborough Alex has been the #1 freshman in our player rater all season. Hillsborough’s season has been driven by Alex’s accomplishments and he has been a secret weapon for the #5 team in NJ, the 20-4 Raiders. Alex has over 100 kills and 100 digs in his first season, an amazing accomplishment for a freshman. Currently, he is the only first year to achieve the double triple.

Tudor Popescu – Watchung Hills Another impact player on the list is Tudor Popescu. Tudor is second among freshman in blocks with 22, only trailing Belleville’s Sean Sharpe who has a whopping 37. He has 99 kills as part of his resume.

Mattheus Saude – Cliffside Park 125 kills and 75 digs indicate the amazing season that Mattheus is having. Bergen County will look forward to 3 more years of accomplishments.

Saizo Takenaga – St. Joe’s Metuchen Saizo has been a great addition to a very strong Falcons squad in 2025. He has accomplished his stats against tougher competition than any other freshman. Saizo has a great chance to win a Group 2 title this season which would cap off an amazing first season.

Jiencarlo Guzman – Union Jiencarlo has put up over 100 kills as well as 66 digs against some very tough Union County teams.

Here is the top 20 analysis. Congrats to all of these players…