Top Performers: Team Louisiana Elite 7v7 tryouts

Louisiana’s rapidly expanding 7-on-7 landscape wasted little time launching into its 2021 routine following the COVID-delayed high school season’s Dec. 30 conclusion. And the efforts of first-year program Louisiana Elite, the football foray of an established basketball organization in the area, to recruit some notable talent their direction was on display during their tryout/showcase event Jan. 9 at Scotlandville. A handful of the top performers included: <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VX9jIiBLNjE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Aaron Anderson — 5-10, 185 WR — Edna Karr</strong> The electric receiver and recent LSU commitment has all the tools to excel in this setting and at the next level and could and should be a difference-maker for the Louisiana Elite team. He tested receivers deep throughout the event, particularly during one-on-one drills and found his pockets of free space underneath and over the middle to make as many catches as anyone during 7-on-7 drills. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sPAmPS8w3Pk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Rickie Collins Jr. — 6-3, 185 QB — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)</strong> The Panthers' passer doesn't get as much attention as some of his 2023 counterparts around the state, such as Newman's Arch Manning and Zachary's Eli Holstein, or even Denham Springs' Reese Mooney and Scotlandville's Czavian Teasett. But Collins is among the most talented prospects in an impressive group, was the best passer on hand for the Louisiana Elite tryout and figures to blow up on the recruiting trail as soon as he can physically get in front of more college coaches — hopefully in the next few months, depending on NCAA rules regarding COVID-19 and recruiting contact. <strong>Jai Eugene Jr. — 6-1, 175 ATH — Destrehan</strong> The son of former LSU defensive back Jai Eugene plays quarterback for his high school team, but appears poised to maximize his opportunities this 7-on-7 season to show his tremendous potential to continue to family business on the other side of the ball. The younger Eugene has sprouted up into a tall, long cornerback prospect as just a sophomore that figures to have one Power Five program after another join the pursuit of him on the recruiting trail during the next two-plus years. <strong>Wallace Foster IV — 5-11, 160 DB — Warren Easton </strong> The young Foster, still finishing his freshman year of high school, has shown up to tryouts and showcases each weekend this month, competed with the 18U groups and shown as much confidence and aggression as anyone on the field. The young Eagles star is quickly becoming one of the state's most impressive prospects not just for his age, but in any class. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t8Ds45G3ZUk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Richard King Jr. — 5-9, 160 DB — Warren Easton</strong> Another of Warren Easton's talented defensive backs came away with one of the plays of the day reading and jumping a pass over the middle of the field and toward the end zone during 7-on-7 drills. King's quick break saved a potential touchdown and ended the possession and energized the defensive group as he and a few of his teammates and coaches headed dancing the other direction. <strong>Mike Newton Jr. — 5-11, 180 DB — Archbishop Shaw</strong> The Shaw defensive back has always seemed to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time to make a play on an overthrown or deflected ball and head back the other direction and did so once again at the Louisiana Elite event during 7-on-7 for what would have been a pick-six. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Feel like I’ve been Mike Newton Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/MikeNewtonJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MikeNewtonJr</a>) make plays for five years now. 😂😂</p> The 2022 Archbishop Shaw defensive back alert to swipe the interception here off the tip/drop. <a href="https://t.co/oqtoots665">pic.twitter.com/oqtoots665</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1348037055079723010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>