Written by: Drew Johnson (@RealNews102)
There’s no doubt that nobody has done it like DR7 when putting together a structured tournament and now combining the scouting of The Platform has the organization unmatched. The Road To The Crown has been on fire with successful tournaments to start the year, this time with a stop in The Woodlands, TX featuring some of the top talents in the state and surrounding areas. The DR7 national circuit allows scouts and coaches to get eyes on various kids early on from different areas. The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes participating in DR7 tournaments and around the country.
Andrew Marsh | WR | 2025 | Katy Jordan | @AndrewaTmMarsh
One of the premier 5-star rated wide receiver prospects made an appearance this weekend at DR7 Houston to show the people that he’s the Real Deal. This kid is really like that. He’s added an inch or two with some weight to his frame that has made him an even tougher wideout to handle. It’s the combined route running skills and ability to rack up yards after catch with good speed and vision that gives Marsh the full package. He’s getting interest from nearly every Power 4 in the country and rightfully so.
Jack Daulton | QB | 2026 | The Woodlands | @JackDaulton12
This kid is truly slept-on but I’m telling you now that his natural throwing talent and potential upside to produce at the next level will be notable real soon. My second time watching Daulton compete on the DR7 circuit while leading a top successful 7v7 program in The Woodlands. This kid just simply gets it done with smart/quick decision-making and pinpoint accuracy. Has been a top QB standout since the offseason and should continue to rise.
Jordan Clay | WR | 2026 | Madison | @Jordan_clay11
Talk about someone who has grown into his frame to develop into a premier 2026 wide receiver recruit, Clay has all the tools in his bag to make an early impact at the next level. Clay has solid route running skills for his 6-4, 200-pound frame with the jumping ability and strong hands to come up with tough contested catches. Have been impressed with his overall development as he should be an elite national WR come senior season.
Quanell X Jr. | WR | 2025 | The Woodlands | @QuanellJr
Another premier 4-star recruit made his presence known this weekend while playing with BME 7v7. Fresh off a dominant sophomore season, this kid is getting deserved attention from major Power 5 schools. Good speed and electric route-running skills make him a tough cover for most defensive backs. Rising stars like this are why I enjoy getting eyes on kids from other states. Keep an eye on his recruitment and overall development.
Camron Marsh | WR | 2025 | Rockwall | @cantguardcam_
One of my top DOGS in the state of Texas is still somehow under the radar despite showing off his deep bag of skills to make it happen on both sides of the ball. He’s an electric wide receiver prospect with advanced footwork in his route running and sticky hands to bring down most catches. The slept-on speed and flat-out DOG mentality separates him from others. An elite prospect that will soon be on college coaches’ radar with more exposure and in-game film.
Jackson Bolender | WR | 2025 | The Woodlands | @JacksonBolende5
Was introduced to one of the notable rising wide receivers in the class of 2025 this weekend as I watched Bolender dominate throughout the weekend on the DR7 circuit. My first time getting eyes on this kid but he was instantly on my radar after watching him continuously beat defensive backs with his route running and decent speed for his size at 6-1, 180 pounds. The kid has the size and talent to make it happen at the next level as Arizona recently offered with more to come.
Romel Stevens | WR | 2025 | Willis | @RomelStevens
Talk about being nearly unguardable on the 7v7 circuit. Stevens continues to be a problem for defensive backs as the 6-6 frame gives him an advantage in most cases, especially head-top opportunities. It’s the size and physicality combined with developing route running and reliable hands that will make him rise to a national 2025 WR recruit. Keep an eye on this kid who will have more chances to impress college coaches this offseason heading into an important spring period.
Jeramie Cooper | WR | 2027 | North Crowley | @Jeramie_D1
One of my top 15U standouts this weekend was Cooper after he showed off his good IQ for the wide receiver position combined with sticky glue hands and natural athleticism to beat defenders. At 6-3, 200-pounds, once this kid tweaks his mechanics and route running look for him to rise on the national radar. He’s already received Power 4 offers from Baylor, Nebraska, and Texas Tech with plenty of time to add to his game and overall development.
Antonio Johnson | ATH | 2027 | @j3susincleats
Another one of my Texas DOGS that has consistently been a standout while competing on the DR7 circuit. I’ve already been impressed with this kid’s ability to get it done at the wide receiver position with his long arms, decent speed, and reliable hands but it was his performance at DB this weekend that was even more notable. He continues to rise and get work in during the off-season but watch out for his name to get attention on the recruiting scene.
Thomas Cook Jr | ATH | 2026 | Crowley | @Thomas7cookjr
It’s most rewarding when finding the under-the-radar DOGS who deserve recognition for their play. This kid Cook was one of the few athletes this weekend to be dominant on both sides of the ball. I first noticed him locking down wide receivers while playing with confidence and swagger but after watching him catch deep ball downfield touchdowns and more, I locked him in as the Real Deal. I came away impressed with his performance this weekend and will be keeping an eye on his progression.
Mason Hartwell | QB | 2027 | St. Thomas | @masonhartwelltx
Hartwell finished this DR7 Houston weekend in my top performers for 15U QBs with the upside potential to develop into a real deal recruit. He already has a solid frame at 6-0, 175 pounds with the ability to get mobile. However, when looking at his arm talent, you can tell he’s putting in the time to work on footwork mechanics and ball placement, which caught the attention of various Platform scouts this weekend. Another 2027 riser that we will be watching heading into the spring period.
Braden Baker | QB | 2027 | Cypress Ranch | @BradenBaker_10
What a weekend for Baker playing with Tha Money $quad this weekend on the DR7 circuit. This kid had to be one of the taller QB prospects at the tournament standing at a legit 6-4, 175-pounds with good footwork mechanics and notable arm talent. Baker has continued his dominant offseason performances where he can show off the obvious frame but his ability to be deadly with the ball in his hands. Book it, Baker will rise to the top of the 2027 QB class with more eyes on his game during camp and spring periods.
JoJo Stewart | QB | 2025 | Shadow Creek | @JosephStewartJ2
One of the premier 2025 QBs who is fresh off a productive junior season under center has been dominant in back-to-back DR7 tournaments I’ve had the chance to scout him. This kid has elite natural arm talent that he uses to whip the ball around to complete downfield passes and tough throws on the route tree. I’ve been impressed with his ability to lead while showing off his accuracy and good ball placement. His time is coming and he has another season to put it all together.
