Summer 7v7: University Lab, Madison Prep, Dutchtown, Port Allen

Nearly two dozen high school kicked off the annual Metro Baton Rouge 7-on-7 League across five different sites in mid-June. University Lab hosted Madison Prep, Dutchtown and Port Allen in the third week of action. Here are a half dozen of the most notable performances. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137602" first="Jason" last="Barnes"] Jr. — 5-8, 150 ATH — University Lab (2022)</strong> The speedy, undersized has excelled this summer with his quickness cutting through one opposing secondary after another, and this past week was no different. Barnes also showed his ability to go up over a defender for a big touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone as he continues to try to open college eyes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138290" first="Akyrian" last="Burrell"] — 5-9, 170 DB — Dutchtown (2023)</strong> "AK" is another athletic, but under-the-radar prospect to watch out in the Geismar/Prairieville area that the Dutchtown coaches think is capable of a Division-I opportunity. Burrell looked good roaming the center of the field and breaking up passes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136641" first="Justin" last="Collins"] — 6-2, 195 DB — University Lab (2023)</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="138308" first="Jeremiah" last="Vessel"] and the Ausberry brothers, Austin and Jaiden, have been the headline prospects on another talented U-High defense — particularly in 7-on-7 settings, with versatile edge defender [player_tooltip player_id="136609" first="Roman" last="Pitre"] and defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="128920" first="Nick" last="Williams"] also gaining momentum this spring. But Collins, the younger brother of NFL safety Landon Collins, continues to develop into another intriguing Division-I athlete. He covered a ton of ground on the back end with his speed and length, including several breakups throughout the morning. <strong>Treylan James — 6-3, 170 DB — Madison Prep (2023)</strong> The rising junior snatched a pair of interceptions against Dutchtown alone as he consistently positions himself to be one of the defending Class 3A champions’ key breakout players in the wake of [player_tooltip player_id="63566" first="Tyrell" last="Raby"]’s graduation and signing with Memphis. James is consistently showing impressive instincts, range and ball skills on the back end of the Chargers’ defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138318" first="David" last="Jones"] — 5-11, 185 DB — Madison Prep (2023)</strong> Another rising junior athlete for the Chargers expected to break through into one of Louisiana’s top prospects, Jones is a versatile piece in the secondary capable of playing the back end or lining up on the perimeter and frustrating wide receivers with his athleticism. He also earned some offensive snaps, including a deep diving catch early against University Lab. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127860" first="Dylan" last="Sampson"] — 5-10, 180 RB — Dutchtown (2022)</strong> The recent Tennessee commitment will become the first Louisiana prospect to sign with the Volunteers since 2018 if and when he signs. Seven-on-seven isn’t his run-minded Griffins’ typical wheelhouse, but Sampson said he enjoys the opportunity to showcase the route-running and pass-catching side of his game. And he looked smooth and comfortable doing so, using his speed and explosiveness effectively to consistently break free of defenders at every cut.