Bootleggers North 7v7: Six underrated potential D-I sleepers

Seven-on-seven season is starting to heat up like the weather outside, and several teams around Louisiana’s rapidly expanded field are starting to hit the stride of their respective schedules. Prep Redzone Louisiana reached out to coaches and managers around the state for a few of their top players to watch in the first month or so of action. Here are three from the Bootleggers North team — one of the top regional branches of the state’s traditional power on the 7-on-7 circuit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="275587" first="Jaylan" last="White"] — 5-9, 160 ATH — Parkway (2023)</strong> The electric running back and slot receiver has already enjoyed a bit of a recruiting breakout early this spring with offers from Austin Peay, ULM and Mississippi State. White lists a 4.39-second laser-timed 40-yard dash and a 10.63-second 100-meter dash that are impressive enough to pique any program’s interest and does good jobs of working his angles to maximize that speed and of keeping his balance through some contact without losing steam. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138450" first="Pearce" last="Russell"] — 6-0, 180 WR — Benton (2023)</strong> The record-setting pass-catcher is a Division-I receiving talent still awaiting his first scholarship offer. Russell caught 53 passes for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior despite toughing his way through nagging injuries. He’s quick off the line with good vertical speed and great hands to make even leaping, acrobatic and one-handed receptions consistently and strength and balance to work through contact on his routes or for yards after the catch. College programs recognizing Russell’s talent and ramping up his recruitment feels like — or at least should be — just a matter of time. <strong>Jay Simon — 5-10, 165 WR — Calvary Baptist (2024)</strong> The older son of former Louisiana Tech star and current Grambling State assistant John Ray Simon was a major addition to the Cavaliers’ already-deep receiving corps when the family returned to their home state this past year. Jay caught 33 passes for 516 yards (15.6 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns, and he recently enjoyed a breakout performance playing up with the Bootleggers’ national team for a tournament a few older receivers had to miss. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145363" first="Landon" last="Sylvie"] — 5-10, 150 DB — Calvary Baptist (2024)</strong> The rising junior defensive back doesn’t have the size of older brother Chanse, the former Calvary Baptist and Oklahoma star Chanse Sylvie, but is still growing and now listed two inches taller than he was early last year. Landon is an athletic, multisport standout with good awareness and ball skills — enough to play both sides at this level. He finished this season with 24 tackles and four interceptions and should be poised for an even bigger fall later this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="275589" first="Dakeldrick" last="Thomas"] — 5-11, 190 ATH — Mansfield (2023)</strong> Thomas was one of Louisiana’s most prolific passers this fall — particularly vertically — with 2,097 yards and 16 touchdowns on 93-for-176 passing (52.9%), an average of 22.5 yards per completion, and six interceptions. He also lists a 4.8-second 40-yard dash, but appears to play faster, both as a potential threat to move the ball with his legs on offense and as an impact player on the other side at corner or safety — where his Bootleggers coaches said his play has been "incredible" this spring shutting down the middle of the field. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="285201" first="Detravon" last="Davis"] — 5-10, 160 ATH — Calvary Baptist (2024)</strong> The wiry defensive back uses his track speed, quick feet and long arms to blanket and frustrate opposing receivers and lock down his side of the field, including a 61-yard pick-six among his sophomore highlights this fall. And when closing in on a back or receiver with the ball, Davis does a good job of staying square, wrapping up and driving through for sure tackles.