By: Drew Johnson (@RealNews102)
The DR7 Road to the Crown seven-on-seven circuit has featured 9 tournaments nationwide with various states including Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma. There have been many impressive athletes this season who deserve proper recognition but this article will focus on stars that shined brighter than others in their respective states and age groups. Names featured are the top standouts that National Platform Scout Drew Johnson has made note of in the states of FL, GA, and TX.
The mission and goal of The Platform is to Expose the Unexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes participating in the DR7 7v7 circuit. There will be more articles and player standouts from our national scouts throughout the week. Let’s get to it!
Top 5 QBs (FL, GA, TX)
1. Jeremy Hecklinski | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Hustle Inc. White | Walton High
The junior Wake Forest commit led his team to an 18U championship in Marietta, GA, while showing off his consistent pinpoint accuracy and leadership skills throughout the weekend. As noted, Hecklinski has really good footwork mechanics and a smooth release. He can throw every route on the tree and fit passes into tight windows.
2. Trey Townsend | Class of 2024 | 7v7: North Georgia Elite | Calhoun High
Townsend was my overall MVP standout from our weekend in Marietta, GA. The Calhoun High product was throwing dimes on both days of the tournament, while flashing confidence and good leadership values. Townsend has the ability to complete passes in the pocket or show off good body control to create power off different platforms and angles. Trey also has the arm strength to make every throw on the field combined with smart decision-making skills.
3. Tucker Parks | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KC Elite | Klein Collins High
The 6’2, 205-pound junior quarterback helped his team take home the 18U in a competitive Houston stop. Parks is an athletic quarterback with a compact build that he uses to create velocity and power on his throws. He has good body control when moving in or out of the pocket and can flat-out put the ball on the money. Parks finished his junior season with incredible numbers, accumulating 2533 passing yards and 31 TDs with 825 rushing yards and 13 TDs to add (3358 yards| 44 TDs total). College coaches can’t miss out on this Playmaker.
4. Jackson Jensen | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Prime Truth | Wharton High
Jensen plays with one of the top 7-on-7 teams, not just in the state of Florida, but the entire country in Prime Truth, who took home another 18U championship trophy in Davenport, FL. His ability to utilize all of their weapons to constantly stay at the top and compete for trophies at these tournaments has been outstanding. I’ve had the opportunity to watch Jensen compete in a few Power Five camps and he’s only continuing to develop his skills to make him deadly behind center. He has since picked up offers from the likes of Penn State, Ole Miss, Arizona, and NC State.
5. Vaughn O’Brien | Class of 2025 | 7v7: Treasure Coast Elite | Jensen Beach High
O’Brien dominated opposing defenses all weekend during our stop in Fort Pierce, FL. He completed two minutes worth of touchdown highlights and helped Treasure Coast Elite keep the 18U trophy in their hometown. The Jensen Beach product, flashed good poise and judgment in the pocket but made a name for himself with his quick release combined with good timing and ball placement on his throws.
⭐️ Honorable Mentions:
Antwann Hill Jr. | Class of 2025 | 7v7: Huncho Elite Infinity | Houston County High
Trever Jackson | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Certified Dawgs | West Orange
Jax Brown | Class of 2025 | 7v7: STEALTH | Weiss High
Joel Morris | Class of 2026 | 7v7: 24K | Lake Gibson High
Camren Renro | Class of 2026 | 7v7: Grand Elite Houston | Iowa Colony High
Christian Nunley | Class of 2025 | 7v7: KB3 | Conroe High
Drew Denton | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Texas Pressure DTX
Chance Routson | Class of 2026 | 7v7: Epic Elite | Boca Rotan
Top 5 WRs (FL, GA, TX)
1. Emaree Winston | Class of 2025 | 7v7: North Georgia Elite | Calhoun High
Winston was the top standout regardless of position during our stop in Marietta, GA. The Calhoun High product is a big-time tight-end prospect that will be a true producer for a Power Five school. Winston has incredible athleticism combined with a stocky frame that he uses to shield off defenders to win jump balls or bring down tough catches. Winston has everything you want in a developing recruit. He has good speed, size, and sure hands with plenty of time to add on to those abilities. Winston will be one of the top names on the recruiting scene come his senior season. Holds various offers including Ohio State, Tennessee, and Auburn.
2. Zechariah Sample | Athlete | Class of 2024 | Katy Jordan HS
Sample finished as one of the most elusive and electric wide receiver products from any tournament in this circuit. His track star speed combined with an incredible catch radius and jolting route running skills was consistently impressive, making him a tough guard for any defensive back during our stop in Houston, TX. Sample has the skill set to play on both sides of the ball, recently committed to Arizona State, finished his productive junior season with 1,024 all-purpose yards, 595 receiving yards, and 146 rushing yards and defensively with 21 total tackles and three interceptions.
3. Israel Marion | Class of 2025 | 7v7: Epic Elite | Spanish River
Marion was my top wide receiver stand out during our stop in Fort Pierce, FL regardless of age group. He truly has the potential to be a three-star product by his senior season with more regular-season production and exposure. His ability to high-point balls in mid-air, while flashing a wide catch-radius and freaky athleticism was eye-popping during both days of the tournament. I expect the Spanish River product to continue making noise in the off-season to pick up steam on his recruiting trail.
4. Micah Williams | Class of 2026 | 7v7: Team Dimes | Benedictine Military School
Whether it was one-handed catches or head-top highlight moments, Williams did it all during our stop in Marietta, GA. Williams has incredible upside for a freshman with plenty of time to add to his deep bag of skills. He has really good speed, combined with a quick take-off release to beat defenders at the line-of-scrimmage, but truly flashes his upside at the next level in terms of bringing down tough catches in traffic. Williams is a prospect to keep an eye on because of the time he has to develop and he will be playing with one of the top QBs in the country in Luke Kromenhoek.
5. Rodny Ojo | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KC Elite | Klein Collins High
Ojo has contagious confidence that helped lead his team to an 18U championship trophy in Houston, TX. He showed off decent speed and agility but his ability to get open for his quarterback, combined with strong hands, is what landed his name on my top standout watchlist. Look out for Ojo and KC Elite to make another deep push for the trophy at the National Championship this weekend in Round Rock, TX.
⭐️ Honorable Mentions:
Shamar Rigby | Class of 2024 | 7v7: RI5E | Lakewood High
Stefan Reynolds | 2024 | Athlete | 7v7 : Apex Predators | Legacy High
Vernell Brown III | Class of 2025 | 7v7: Prime Truth | Wildwood Middle High
Ronnie Royal | Class of 2024 | 7v7: GCA | Gulf Shores High
Ashton Jones | Class of 2025 | 7v7: STE BOYZ | Shadow Creek High
Jordan Clay | Class of 2026 | WR | 7v7 : Elite House | John Marshall High
Bryce Coulson | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Huncho Elite Infinity | Parkview High
Taytum Johnson | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KB3 | Cinco Ranch High
Jerry Thomas | Class of 2026 | 7v7: 24K | Lake Gibson High
Andre Feast | Class of 2025 | 7v7: ALL EN | Ford Bend Marshall
Michael Avery | Class of 2024 | 7v7: SA Ducks | Judson High
Mike Peterson Jr | Class of 2025 | 7v7: RI5E
Tanook Hines | Class of 2025 | 7v7: Houston Storm
Top 4 DBs (FL, GA, TX)
1. Devin Sanchez | Class of 2025 | 7v7: DAB | North Shore
Sanchez is one of the top defensive backs in the nation in the Class of 2025 and he showed off his smothering coverage skills and overall football IQ during our stop in Houston, TX. Sanchez has the athletic ability to play on both sides of the ball but was dominant on the back end on the defense. He’s a perimeter playmaker that has a good frame, and ball skills with incredible upside to be a true ball hawk at the position. Sanches holds offers from nearly every Power Five in the country and rightfully so. Look out for him to be even more productive leading up to his senior season.
2. Martel Hight | Class of 2023 | 7v7: North Georgia Elite | Rome High
The senior Vanderbilt commit was one of the top defensive back standouts in Marietta, GA while showing off his good coverage skills and good hand work throughout the tournament. Hight is a versatile and athletic defender that can make an impact early at the next level with more weight added to his frame. He has natural instincts for the position is disciplined with his eyes on the backend.
3. Isaiah Brown | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KB3 | Ridge Point High
The 5’10, 160-pound Ridge Point junior product has the athletic frame and ability to be a plug-and-play defender at the next level. He has ideal size and time to add the needed weight to his frame. Brown has the speed and coverage-savvy skills to play deep zone or defend receivers man-to-man because of his fluid hips. He finished his productive junior season with 48 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 7 pass breakups.
4. Armani Sullivan | Class of 25 | 7v7: SlimeyBoyz | Lakewood High
Sullivan is long and athletic with time to grow as he’s just a sophomore. He showed off good ball skills with the ability to lock down his side of the field. Sullivan was a lockdown defensive back all weekend, helping SlimeyBooyz take home the 15U championship in Fort Pierce, FL.
5. Lorenzo Johnson | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KB3
Johnson was an impressive prospect that stood out because of his strong hands and DOG mentality on the defensive of the ball. He wasn’t afraid to line up with some of the more talented receivers at the tournament and held his own for the majority of reps. The 6’1, 175-pound playmaker has the ability to play on both sides of the ball because of his speed and agility in the open field. The junior athlete also runs track, which he uses to his advantage on the gridiron. He finished his junior season with 31 catches for 809 receiving yards and 10 TDs with 4 interceptions and 10 pass breakups to add. Johnson is also a threat in the kick return game, totaling 4 combined returns. Johnson is currently committed to Texas Tech.
⭐️ Honorable Mentions:
Jaelen Waters | Class of 2026 | 7v7: SlimeyBoyz | Armwood High
Clifton Hester | Class of 2026 | 7v7: 24K | Cocoa High
Tristan Willis | Class of 2027 | 7v7: CAT TAKEOVER
Dillan Tatum | Class of 2025 | 7v7: Dime Factory | Stafford High
Tate Watson | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Jax Knights | Fletcher High
