By Platform Scout: Nathaniel Shivers @NathanShive1
The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes around the country giving them exposure. Each week as the DR7 Road To The Crown National Circuit travels to a different city or region, The Platform is able to get eyes on some of the premier talent around the country. The DR7 NOLA tournament had plenty of talent from Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana. Here are several standouts from the weekend who had standout performances.
Zack Allen | Athlete |Conroe High School (TX) | 7v7: Team Texas Fury | Class of 2025 | @Zack_Allen
Allen smothers receivers with his length, he plays physical at the line of scrimmage, Zack get hands on receivers early re-routing them off their axis, which enabled him to disrupt their offensive timing. He is physical with receivers at the catch point, he showed great anticipation when the ball is delivered, which lead to multiple pass breakups, not allowing easy receptions when the ball comes his way. Allen’s ability to excel in man coverage was a trait that stuck out in his game. His ability to stay in phase, locked at the hip in coverage, paid dividends as he was able to lock down his side of the field. Allen was one of the key defensive stoppers for Fury 7v7 on both days in NOLA.
Bra’jon Melancon | Wide Receiver | North Iberville High School (LA) | Class of 2027 | @BrajonMelancon
Melancon has a long, lean frame that compliments his game at wide receiver. He has the skill set coaches covet at the wide receiver position. Bra’jon is an ideal outside target that is aggressive at the catch point, he has superb body control that allows him to keep defenders away from his hands in close coverage and he attacks the ball in flight with a purpose. He had a great showing in NOLA, showing that he can be a playmaker and he is just scratching the surface.
Kevin Jones | Defensive | Avoyelles High School | 7v7: Jackboyz | Class of 2026 | @popjones_2
Jones is a fluid athlete, with flexible hips, clean footwork and he mirrors receivers well allowing him stay in phase and locked on his opponent in coverage. He demonstrated outstanding anticipation and closing burst to time the ball’s arrival to perfection, allowing him to be hyper-aggressive at the catch point. Jones has excellent ball skills, with elite instincts, which he displayed by grabbing an interception in a very crucial moment in the red zone to turn the ball over for his team. Jones has the skill set that enables him to be a sticky defender and he was leader in the Jackboyz secondary on both days at DR7 New Orleans.
Trenajh Smith | Defensive Back | South Terrebonne High School | 7v7: Bootleggers | Class of 2027 | @trenajh22
Trenajh has a long, lean, athletic build, with extended arm length and he uses frame to his advantage while staying disciplined in his scheme. Jones utilizes his athleticism and football instincts to read and react while in zone coverage to make plays on the ball. He is a versatile player that also works well in press man coverage, which allows to plays sticky coverage on receivers across the field on in-breaking routes. Smith is strong at the point of attack, he plays with good leverage and his ability to be sticky in close quarters enabled him to step in front of several passes. Smith had a standout weekend in NOLA and was key defender for the Bootleggers defense on both days.
Jakyrin Griffin | Defensive Back| Alexandria Senior High School (LA) | 7v7: Jackboyz | 2027 | @k_himothy
Jakyrin moves well in space, he has exceptional long speed that enables him to be in close coverage with receivers down field, he stays in phase with the ability to run in stride with receivers. This allowed him to play sticky coverage shutting down passing windows on his side of the field. He is scrappy at the catch point and doesn’t allow easy receptions. Jakyrin transitions into his backpedal smoothly, his ability to plant, cut and explode to the ball in flight, led to several pass breakups. Griffin showed that he has the tools that make him a standout defender and he was one of the Jackboyz top defenders on both days in NOLA.
