nj
It seemed as if Andrew Avent of Rahway orchestrated his last act as a high school football player when he led the North to a 14-6 victory June 20 in the 45th annual Phil Simms North/South All-Star Football Classic at the College of New Jersey.
Not quite.
Avent announced on his social media platforms over the weekend that he will reclassify to the Class of 2027 and enroll at Florida prep powerhouse IMG Academy.
The NJ.com 2025 First Team All-Stater and four-year starter at Rahway starred at both running back and linebacker for Rahway.
The 6-2, 210-pound athlete showcased his skills on both sides of the ball at the North/South Game this summer.
He rushed for a 2-yard touchdown just before the first half ended, threw a short TD pass to Philipsburgs Sam Dech late in the third quarter and played linebacker almost the entire game.
Avent was named offensive MVP to the surprise of no one involved with the Rahway football program over the past four seasons.
Andrew is an old-school football player.
Kid plays hard always and has fun doing it, Rahway head football coach Brian Russo said.
It was great to watch him dominate games on both sides of the ball for the last four years and to win the offensive MVP as a defensive player in the North/South game made everyone in Rahway very proud.
We all wish him the best of luck at IMG and we know he will do great things in the fall.
The sky is the limit for Andrew.
Avent has a handful of Division I offers from Football Championship Subdivision schools Long Island University, Sacred Heart and Wofford.
He also has an offer from Middle Tennessee State, a Football Bowl Subdivision member.
Avent rushed for 1,961 yards and 22 touchdowns, caught one TD pass and recorded 56.5 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for losses last autumn for the Rahway (6-4).
He also was an outstanding wrestler during his four years.
That 6-4 finish last season was rather remarkable for Rahway considering the number of standouts who graduated from the 2024 team, which went 7-3.
Avents leadership was evident everywhere on the field.
He even punted last season.
Avent graduated as the programs all-time rusher with 4,524 yards on 615 carries, all-time leader for rushing TDs with 53 and all-time tackler with 289.5.
He produced 16.5 sacks and 54.5 tackles for losses in his career.