New Names, Faces from Pylon7v7 in NJ: Evolve 210ths

Prep Redzone was present at the Pylon 7v7 at Iron Peak in Hillsborough NJ this past weekend. I had the pleasure of watching excellent talent at every age group go at it in 7v7 format. Many will say what they please regarding the 7v7 scene but one thing is for certain, it’s a great way to discover new talent to add to Watchlists. I am on a constant hunt to find talent, these tournaments help with that cause. No performance at these tournaments can get you ranked, but if you ball out, be sure to know you’re on my radar for the Fall. Below are some new names to me (or the site), whose play stood out to me. TyVaughn Kershaw | 5’8 | RB/ATH | 2026 Kershaw was making plays for the 14U squad from time to time, showing he’s capable of running routes and catching the ball out of the backfield. Kershaw’s projection to padded football is what really stood out to me. I can tell from his frame, legs, and explosiveness out of his stance that he’s going to be a problem on the field moving forward. Looks like a future running back whose hands and route-running ability could develop if he continues to work in the 7v7 scene. Would love to see his capabilities on defense. Ranking in his future. Valdez Stuvaints | 5’10, 170 | DB | McKeesport | 2025 So so so consistent. Stuvaints, like all in this piece, is a new name to me. The kid came up with clutch interception after clutch interception. His prowess and ball skills are great for a 2025 prospect that is coming into his own and developing but where he really stood out to me was his consistency in pass coverage. Not often beat, often in the right place at the right time. Looked incredibly comfortable and poised at safety. He showed he can diagnose passing concepts on the fly, which is a trait that 7v7 football can help develop. He made the most of his opportunities. I’m a fan. https://twitter.com/VStuvaints3/status/1506468494577127424?s=20&t=XRJr63_7UOYcUFEN_s1HYA Daniel Speca | ATH | Pitt Central Catholic | 2026 Younger brother of national-recruit [player_tooltip player_id="97978" first="Anthony" last="Speca"], Daniel, much like Stuvaints, was so solid play-in and play out from his DB/LB spot. I’ve said it so many times before but so many of these kids have advanced early skillsets for barely being in high school. Daniel Speca fits that description. Good hips, good vision of the field in front of him. Confident in his own abilities and can play the ball. He is another prospect that I think will grow into his own off the 7v7 scene. The best is yet to come for this young man. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-310136" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/IMG-9295-crop-3681x2417-1648083539-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Daron Barksdale | 5’9, 170 | DB | Steel Valley | 2026 Daron Barksdale might have been the best new name at this entire tournament in my eyes. Crazy that he is a class of 2026 kid with this kind of early skillset. Awesome break-on-ball ability. I can tell this kid has been coached up well, plays the football when he can, plays through the offense’s hands when an interception isn’t viable. He’s showing the early traits of a real ball-hawking safety. Good discipline in zone coverage, doesn’t panic or bite too easily because of his confidence in his own athleticism. Showed range to pick or disrupt passes at multiple levels, whether it be in the intermediate game where he can read and react to crossers or digs, or being tested deep, where Barksdale can show off his body control and ball-tracking skills. This kid is legit. https://twitter.com/DaronBarksdale/status/1506014240712400902?s=20&t=XRJr63_7UOYcUFEN_s1HYA Jack Bruckner | QB | Bethel Park | 2025 New name out of BP. Bruckner had a plethora of weapons to throw to even when you don’t include 5-star Quinton Martin. The weapons at his disposal shouldn’t take away from his solid decision-making all tournament. When you can be accurate and make the smart throws, you’re setting yourself up for success, which Bruckner had plenty of this past weekend. There wasn’t a flashy standout trait out of Bruckner, all he did was distribute and make correct read after correct read. Can’t ask for more. Jonathan Burrell | 5’6, 140 | WR/DB | Westinghouse | 2025 Where Burrell may lack in size, he makes up for it with great physicality and attitude. Awesome balance and burst from the wideout clips I saw on his Twitter. He came into this primarily playing corner, where he made sure his presence was felt each rep. Burrell’s got the package to do damage on both sides of the ball. I can see him being the most effective on offense when given the rock in space. Either way, this is a young man whose skillset you want on your team.