Notable Performers, Tidbits from LSU 7-on-7 tournament

Thirty-three high schools — mostly in-state, but with representatives from Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Illinois — brought teams to LSU’s annual 7-on-7 tournament Friday. The turnout included several high-profile prospects, including two of the nation’s most highly sought-after rising senior quarterbacks, and other talented young athletes working to develop their games and establish their names. Here were a few top performers and other notable standouts who could be poised for breakouts in the coming months. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138484" first="Arch" last="Manning"] — 6-3, 190 QB — Newman (2023)</strong> The biggest name in high school sports drew a steady stream of spectators including coaches from LSU and other in-state programs, media and even several current Tigers who said they had to take advantage of the opportunity to see the highly touted heir to the Manning throne in person. Arch had a decent day for a young passer with always sky-high expectations, seeming mostly on time and target throughout the day with a couple impressive deep throws and a couple state-down interceptions providing some highs and lows along the way. Several balls hit receivers in the hands, but fell harmlessly to the grass — a mixture of some bad drops and some instances in which the velocity was going to be tough for most high school athletes to corral. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138486" first="Rickie" last="Collins"] —6-3, 180 QB — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) (2023)</strong> Many of the same assessments can be said of the other premier, LSU-target quarterback in the event, as well. Collins largely flies under the lofty radars of Manning and Alabama-committed Zachary star [player_tooltip player_id="138485" first="Eli" last="Holstein"] — farther than should be the case. The Purdue pledge remains on the Tigers’ board not far behind the five-star contingent of Manning and out-of-state target Dante Moore (Michigan) and Jaden Reshada (California) and showed some of the flashes of why with some big throws downfield during a hit-and-miss day also limited by some drops. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138307" first="Jordan" last="Matthews"] — 6-2, 175 DB — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) (2023)</strong> One of the event’s biggest developments, from a recruiting standpoint, centered around Collins’ teammate. As referenced following outdoor track and field state championships and the Panthers’ spring game, Matthews is bigger, stronger and faster than ever. And some notable some of the nation’s most notable programs are taking notice. Stanford has surged in recent months in the recruitment of the well-rounded student-athlete. Alabama has come on strong of late, as well, follow defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s visit last month. And coach Brian Kelly, defensive coordinator Matt House and the new LSU staff took time Friday to watch Matthews work in person for the first time since taking over the program this winter, talk to him between matches, re-offer him and emphasize their desire to keep him home for college. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138466" first="Kaleb" last="Jackson"] — 5-11, 205 RB — Liberty Magnet (2023)</strong> The Liberty Magnet running back stood out in the 7-on-7 crowd with his big, muscular build and then proceeded to run circles around Class 4A and 5A defensive backs with his impressive speed, quickness and burst for his size. Texas A&amp;M continues to be the most consistent program in pursuit of the Baton Rouge native, but he said he feels heavily prioritized by the hometown Tigers, as well, and appreciative of his relationship with associate head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson III. Jackson plans to visit both programs next week and is trying to set up a trip to Alabama the following week. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139261" first="Ju’Juan" last="Johnson"] — 5-10, 180 ATH (2024)</strong> The Lafayette Christian quarterback picked up and LSU offer last weekend as an athlete after a strong camp performance at defensive back. But Johnson’s second visit to campus in a matter of days provided him the chance to flash his arm with some of the best deep throws of the day. The 2024 standout took a big step forward this past fall with his confidence, leadership, decision-making, deep ball, as well as his speed and quickness extending plays with his legs. Watching his continued development this fall taking on an even larger role following the departure of the Knights’ heralded 2022 class could be one of the state’s more intriguing individual storylines as he attempts to lead the program back from a disappointing Division III title game and push their recent run of dominance back to a championship level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144893" first="Trae" last="Grogan"] — 6-1, 180 WR — Lafayette Christian (2024)</strong> Another interesting individual storyline to watch will be Johnson’s new target and fellow rising junior [player_tooltip player_id="144893" first="Trae" last="Grogan"]. The 2024 pass-catcher burst onto the scene two years ago with some solid flashes as a freshman at Cecilia before transferring and sitting out his sophomore season. Grogan was one of the first prospects of Louisiana’s increasingly strong 2024 wide receiver class and has a chance to re-establish himself in his new jersey as one of the top targets for Division-I college programs to watch. He made a few nice catches downfield and could end up Johnson’s top target by the time fall arrives. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="285279" first="Brayden" last="Williams"] — 6-0, 185 QB — St. James (2024)</strong> St. James was a late addition to the event schedule, but put together one of the top days by any school — an encouraging sign early in an offseason of turnover for the perennial contender. Longtime playmakers such as Shazz Preston, MarQuell Bergeron and Daniel Jupiter finished their high school careers and headed to college. Associate head coach and defensive coordinator LaVanta Davis took over last month for Robert Valdez, who accepted a college position at Grambling State. And a talented cast of younger athletes has started stepping into larger roles on the field. Among them is the rising junior quarterback, who earned some reps this past fall that should help ease the transition into the expanded role. Williams garnered some praise for his performance at LSU that should only further boost his confidence heading into the fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139472" first="Barry" last="Remo"] II — 5-10, 180 ATH — Catholic (Baton Rouge) (2024)</strong> One of the notable absences was Louisiana’s top rising senior pass catcher, [player_tooltip player_id="138438" first="Shelton" last="Sampson"] Jr., who was resting his hamstring and visiting Florida State. But Catholic (Baton Rouge) has a roster with plenty of other talent eager to make a run at yet another Division-I state championship, including some younger players stepping into larger roles. The rising junior running back showed his quickness in his route-running out of the backfield and with the ball in his hands after the coach. Remo will be a breakout candidate to watch this fall as he earns more touches following the graduations of Corey Singleton Jr. and Taelon Nicholas. As much as opponents, media and fans keep their eyes on quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="139258" first="Daniel" last="Beale"], Sampson and company in the passing game, the continued emergence of Remo would provide a great complement for a program with a long-standing tradition of productive running backs. <strong>TaRon Francis — 6-1, 195 WR — Edna Karr (2025)</strong> As student-athletes work and prepare for potential breakout campaigns this fall, the young wide receiver arguably had his breakout performance this weekend with an LSU offer on the heels of the event. The perennial power Cougars will be looking to a largely new-look cast of weapons at rising senior quarterback A.J. Samuel’s disposal. And while replacing departed stars such as Alabama signee Aaron Anderson and Indiana signee Jaylin Lucas will be no easy task, Francis helped show that the cupboard is far from bare. <strong>Jacob Dupree — 5-10, 170 WR — Dunham (2023)</strong> Dunham was without rising junior speedster Jac Comeaux for the event, but his older teammate was among the other Tigers able to step up and make some big plays of his own. Dupree put together a highlight reel of one deep reception after another, setting defenders up with his routes and running free up seams through the secondary.