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 is now hosting the National Championship in Round Rock, TX this weekend. This article will focus on stars that shined brighter than others on Day One of #TheCrown in their respective age groups. Names featured are the top standouts that National Platform Scout Drew Johnson has made a note of.
The mission and goal of The Platform are 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!
Christopher Barnes | Class of 2024 | 7v7 : KB3 Elite | North Shore
Barnes is a speedy and natural athlete that is very nimble in the open field but also has good route-running skills mixed in with blazing track speed that he uses to get open and gain RAC. It seems that Barnes gets faster each time I see him which he credits to his track and field talents. Very hard 1v1 cover for almost anybody. Barnes is receiving offers and interest from various schools including, Texas State, Jackson State, Sam Houston, and UTSA.
Joe Perez | Class of 2023 | 7v7: Elite House
Perez gets open consistently in these 7-on-7 circuits and brings down almost every catch with his strong hands and good body control. He’s the vocal leader and engine of Elite House’s offense because of his leadership mentality and ability to be productive on the gridiron. Perez has the skillsets and determination to be a playmaker at the next level, taking that motivation everywhere he goes.
Boobie Feaster | Class of 2027 | 7v7: 318 Hotboyz
Feaster can do it all as a young receiver and will be one of the premier Power Five wide receiver recruits come his senior season. The 2027 DeSoto product already holds multiple offers and rightfully so. His ability to either take the top off the defense with blazing speed was impressive but combined with a good release and strong hands makes him one of the better WRs of any age. Feaster has a lot of upside and is someone to keep an eye on.
Deion DeBlanc | Class of 2025 | 7v7: KB3 | North Shore
Always good to get eyes on one of the premier wide receivers in the state of Texas in Deion DeBlanc. He can hardly be guarded in 1v1 situations because of his incredible rate of speed on the gridiron. DeBlanc is a flat-out speed demon when running his routes and even more of a threat with the ball in his hands to gain RAC. The 4-star North Shore product holds various Power Five offers including UTSA, Texas Tech, Oregon, and Houston.
Jordan Clay | Class of 2026 | WR | 7v7 : Elite House | JMHS
Clay is just a freshman but has true upside potential to be a Power Five producer with a good frame at 6’3, 190 pounds that he uses to fight off smaller defenders in the air and beat opposing defenders at the line-of-scrimmage. Good speed and route running skills with plenty of time to add to his bag. Tall and lengthy receiver with excellent high-point skills combined with glue hands. Clay has received recent interest from UTSA.
Jordan Styles | Class of 2026 | 7v7: Apex Predators | The Woodlands College Park
Another one of the younger receivers at the tournament who showed off his ability to be a big-time wide receiver recruit come the fall season. Styles was simply the motor for Apex Predators all weekend because of his ability to stay open and catch the ball consistently. He’s a versatile receiver that can produce on the inside or line out wide. Look out for the rising freshman to make a name for himself this season.
Michael Avery | Class of 2024 | 7v7: SA Ducks | JHS
Avery always looks smooth and fluid on the gridiron each time I watch him. He displayed his quick get-off release at the line-of-scrimmage with a good ability to fight off defenders to get open. Ball didn’t come his way too much this weekend but he’s been stamped because of his upside and big-play capabilities.
Mike Gerald | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KC Elite
Gerald was very productive this weekend in Round Round which landed his name on the list. He accumulated 7 TDs on championship Sunday which helped KC Elite take home the DR7 18U National Championship trophy. The Morton Ranch junior product led his team with 24 receptions for *522 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns. The 6’0, 170-pound athlete holds various Power Five offers including Troy, Rice, Arizona State, Texas State, Army, and Navy.
Keegan Kelley | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Texas Pressure DTX
I didn’t get eyes on Kelley this weekend but talking with him and quarterback Drew Denton following championship Sunday it was clear that he made another impact at DR7 with crazy catch moments and simply beating opposing defenders with good route running. Kelley always has a highlight tape when participating in these tournaments because of his big-play ability.
Brady Wagner | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Wallstreet
From the start of the tournament, Wagner received double takes and complaints from smaller defenders because of his sizeable frame combined with a confident talk game and swagger. He was able to back it up various times with big-time catches that helped his team nearly take home the 18U championship. Wagner displayed his ability to be productive at the tight end position with good hands combined with decent speed and route running skills. He holds various Division I offers including Miami Ohio, Louisiana Tech, and Navy.
Adren Skipper | Class of 2025 | 7v7: YMIN
Skipper has bunnies! No matter his size, he had two head-top catches and interception that had everyone with their eyes popped open. Had to add Skipper to the list because of his production this weekend in Round Rock. He has really good speed combined with strong hands. And again, Head Top!
Honorable Mentions:
Rodny Ojo | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KC Elite
Demo Mcgarity | Class of 2024 | 7v7: SA Ducks
Taytum Johnson | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KB3
Terrence Guillory II | Class of 2024 | 7v7: KB3
Antonio Johnson | Class of 2027 | 7v7 : NW Bears
Hayden Golden | Class of 2024 | 7v7: Wallstreet
Luc Jacquemard | Class of 2026 | 7v7: Texas Epic
Trevon Moore | Class of 2026 | 7v7: Team Tampa
KJ Fontenot | Class of 2027 | 7v7: Platinum Elite
Grant Perez | Class of 2023 | 7v7: Wallstreet
