Word has gotten out about the quality of Malcolm X Shabazz High School and its football program. Recruiters from the Power Four College Football Conferences (the Big 10 Conference, the Big 12 Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, and the Southeastern Conference) came to MXS throughout the NCAA Recruitment Period, which ran from Monday, January 5th, through Saturday, January 31st. Recruiters from more than 20 colleges met with Shabazz Athletic Director Noel Colon, Head Football Coach Nasir Gaines, and his coaching staff. Among the players recruiters met with were juniors Adekunbi Adetayo, Faheem Ausborn, and Josiah Perez as well as sophomores Nosym Brown and Nas Richardson.
The interest from recruiters at elite college football programs follows MXS Football's appearances in the last two NJSIAA Group II Championship games and the commitments of two MXS Football student athletes to Stanford University on full scholarships. Dr. Atiba Buckman, the school’s principal, said the MXS Football program requires student-athletes to excel in the classroom as well as on the gridiron, and that has been a significant factor in attracting interest from elite college programs.
Below is a list of college football programs who met with Malcolm X Shabazz High School Football student athletes during the January 2026 Recruitment Period.
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Rutgers University
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Duke University
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U.S. Military Academy (Army)
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State University of New York - Buffalo
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Syracuse University
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Lafayette University
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Columbia University
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University of North Carolina
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Texas A&M University
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University of Massachusetts
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University of Connecticut (UConn)
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Wolford University (South Carolina)
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University of Pittsburgh (Pitt)
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Temple University
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Seton Hall University
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Connecticut State Universities and Colleges
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Monmouth University
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University of Maine
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Montclair State University
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King’s College
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Rowan University
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University of Memphis
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Wake Forest University
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Lehigh University
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Old Dominion University
MXS Head Coach Nasir Gaines alongside Rutgers University Head Coach Greg Schiano.
Junior Adekunbi Adetayo alongside football coaches from the University of Connecticut.
Junior Adekunbi Adetayo alongside football coach from the University of Massachusetts.
Junior Zykir Best with H3ad Coach Nasir Gaines on their visit to United States Military Academy West Point.
MXS football staff, Athletic Director, and Adekunbi Adetayo pictured with Duke University assistant coaches.
Head Coach Nasir Gaines of MXS pictured with Penn State Assistant Coach.
Head Coach Nasir Gaines of MXS pictured with UConn’s Head Coach.
MXS Head Coach Nasir Gaines and junior Adekunbi Adetayo alongside an Assistant Head Coach from Duke University.
MXS Head Coach Nasir Gaines alongside coaching staff from the University of Pittsburgh.
Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano pictured with MXS staff, Superintendent Roger León, coaches, and South Ward Councilman during his visit.
Superintendent Roger León, student‑athlete Adekunbi Adetayo, and MXS Head Coach Nasir Gaines pictured with Rutgers University Head Coach Greg Schiano.
