Top Performers: NFA 7-on-7 Pool Play
News notes and buzz out of IMG Academy as many of America's best 7-on-7 clubs competed in Florida.
http://florida.247sports.com/Article/Top-Performers-NFA-7-on-7-Pool-Play-53220403
BRADENTON, Fla. - It was eventful first day of competition Saturday at the NFA 7-on-7 National Championship held at IMG Academy.
News, notes and buzz from the event.
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All eyes were on five-star quarterback
Justin Fields, the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback and No. 2 prospect overall per 247Sports.
It was an up-and-down day for the 6-foot-3, 221-pound Fields who during pool play showed great command of the offense, spun a pretty ball and was very accurate. Playing for
Cam Newton All-Stars, Fields had several fantastic second-level throws, fit the ball in windows and spread it around. Unfortunately the Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison blue-chipper was plagued by drops and some interceptions. Fields and his team will look to rally on elimination day Sunday.
Regarding Fields’s recruitment, he had positive things to say about Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia, and even added he still talks to Penn State every day. Most of the speculation on the IMG campus was that FSU has gained control here and the 247Sports Crystal Ball is picking up steam for the Seminoles. However the Gators remain the favorite on the Crystal Ball and Fields says he could visit there in the next week.
There is no timetable for a college decision, and talking to the insiders across the 247Sports network, sounds like all the finalists minus the Nittany Lions feel at least relatively good about their chances.
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ALPHA DOG
Nobody made more big plays at crucial moments than Miami receiver commit
Mark Pope.
The most explosive player at the event, the nation’s No. 2 player at his position per 247Sports showed the type of difference-maker he could be in Coral Gables when his number was called to win a late afternoon game. Nursing an ankle injury, Pope had to put his cleats back on while sitting on the sideline, check back into the game at the end to run a double-move and catch the game-winning touchdowns against a very-game AWP team.
Pope is in the discussion if not the outright leader as America’s top deep threat and he had several 40-yard scores on this day.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Pope is one of the jewels of a Miami class that 247Sports ranks No. 2 nationally.
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Want to win? Put Mark Pope in.
3:53 PM - 17 Jun 2017
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NEXT FIVE OFFENSE
- Top247 receiver Warren Thompson was the touchdown maker for Team Tampa during pool play seemingly finding the end zone as much as any other competitor on the field. The 6-foot-3, 196-pound Thompson is quick off the line of scrimmage, used his size and body control to dominate in the red zone and was also a matchup problem because of his speed. Florida State and Oregon are two of the top contenders.
- Florida commit Iverson Clement found pay dirt plenty of times as well in leading his NLG team to an undefeated record in pool play. A versatile guy that also gave his team good reps at cornerback.
- Quarterback Devin Black was big-time for a GNG team ripping the most highlight-reel throws on the day in leading his team to a couple upset wins. Louisville and Indiana are the programs he’s highest on and will visit both in July.
- Had drops not plagued Michigan commit Joe Milton, he’d of been strongly in the running for Alpha Dog honors. This is the best I’ve seen the 6-foot-5, 222-pound Milton look. He was consistent, rips an effortless deep ball, was working the sidelines, the middle of the field and looked to go deep too. Milton had great command on Saturday and had his receivers held onto the football they’d of walked out unscathed.
- FSS Elite receiver Ramel Keyton was an exciting guy, a sure-handed playmaker that just exploded in the open field. The 2019 prospect will be heavily recruited.
TOP FIVE DEFENSE
- There wasn’t a more fluid, smooth, lockdown cornerback on this day than Rise Football Academy athlete Tre'Shaun Harrison who suffocated the opposition all afternoon. Oregon is the Crystal Ball favorite for the Top247 recruit who also likes USC, UCLA, Washington, Michigan and Notre Dame among others.
- Boom Football defensive back Houston Griffith picked off three passes, shining on the outside and playing nickel. He was physical at the line of scrimmage, he played the deep ball well and he was brash all afternoon. Florida State is now trending on the 247Sports Crystal Ball with Ohio State, Nebraska and Penn State among the other contenders.
- Pro Impact standout Tyreke Johnson continues to prove he is arguably the most versatile defensive back in the country. He made plays on both sides of the ball, and has a ferocious style of play on defense. UCLA and Georgia are in a good spot among others.
- Trey Dean’s eye-popping, one-handed interception was perhaps the highlight of the day, but his consistency all day is one of the reasons why FSS Elite will be a contender to win the whole thing. He was around the football a lot on Saturday. Georgia is the heavy 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite.
- Quindarious Monday seeked out the opposition’s best receiver every rep and stalked him. He too had a fantastic one-handed interception. Auburn is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite however Clemson could pull this one out.
TOURNAMENT FAVORITE
Boom Football rolled on day one with a bevy of playmakers on offense and one of the best secondaries. Joining Griffith in the secondary was Minnesota cornerback commit
Tyrik Henderson along with Northwestern bound safety
Greg Newsome and 2019 recruit
Cameron Coleman.
The four-star Coleman went both ways and showed why he is one of the more electric guys in the country on offense. Cincinnati receiver commit
Jayshon Jackson was also a handful and
Charles Robinson was the deep threat that also is the top target in the red zone.
2019
Michael Love was a valuable piece on both sides as well as Boom Football looks to win another National Championship.
Other contenders include Fire, FSS Elite, Rise Football, Pro Impact and Record Breakerz.
MORE EYE CATCHERS
Notre Dame safety commit Derrick Allen and Georgia cornerback commit
Chris Smith were two of the top players at their respective positions. Smith didn't give up much on the outside and Allen controlled the middle of the field taking away crossing routes and providing help on deep balls. Those DBs along with 2020 quarterback
Harrison Bailey are why FSS Elite will push Boom for a championship.
Jermaine Burton and Xyre Wilson were two more receivers that impressed on this squad.
The nation's top-ranked 2019 cornerback
Akeem Dent was a presence for the Fire team in the secondary.
Kwantel Raines was the big name for the Evolve Athletics squad out of Pennsylvania and he certainly flashed. So did his teammate, 2019 two-way standout
Corey Thomas.
Florida looks to be getting a good one in
Maurice Goolsby and UCF commit
Justin McGriff has a high ceiling as well. Both flashed from Unsigned Preps.
