Talented F3 Elite opens 7v7 season | Defense

The new calendar and football year's have begun, and Louisiana's exploding 7-on-7 scene is off and running for 2023.   Several of the state's non-scholastic/all-star organizations have sorted out their rosters and are preparing for their first tournaments of the spring season.   Baton Rouge-based F3 Elite, in its fourth year, has become one of Louisiana's most talent-rich, particularly around the Capital City area.   Here were seven standouts from the defensive side of the ball who stood out at a recent workout/showcase event.   For more information on some of the standouts on offense, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/01/2023-f3-elite-7-on-7-players-offense-preseason/">click here</a>.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/ELeIIBLbmw4 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='139261' first='Ju'Juan' last='Johnson'] (5-10, 180 ATH | Lafayette Christian | 2024)   The Lafayette Christian quarterback began working on his technique as a cornerback late last spring and began blowing up on the recruiting trail shortly thereafter. Johnson mounted a prolific fall leading the Knights' offense, including a record-setting state championship performance that had the program within seconds of its claiming its fifth title in six years. He said at F3's first practice of January that he was knocking some of the rust off at defensive back and getting back into his rhythm on that side of the ball, but the quick feet, fluid hips and overall athleticism that has top college programs in heavy pursuit were impossible to miss.   [player_tooltip player_id='675887' first='Da'Shawn' last='McBryde'] (6-3, 195 DB | Denham Spring | 2024)   A recruiting blow-up appears imminent for the record-setting Denham Springs safety who snatched nine interceptions in the fall, more than any player in Denham Springs history. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound McBryde's impressive frame turned heads upon arrival at the F3 practice, and he quickly got to work displaying the mobility and ball skills that helped fuel his breakout junior campaign. The Yellow Jackets' budding star, with his explosive step and fluid hips, took away one interception during the event's brief, final 7-on-7 session and nearly came away with another.   [player_tooltip player_id='675891' first='Dylan' last='Day'] (6-0, 165 ATH | Southern Lab | 2024)   The Kittens' defensive back may have been among the most underrated defensive backs in the Baton Rouge area, if not the state, this fall and looked the part among F3's talented group. Day is a quick, fluid multisport athlete with track speed, good strength, great instincts and ball skills and a knack for making timely plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='144905' first='Keylan' last='Moses'] (6-3, 210 ATH | University Lab | 2025)   The headline prospect of the program's 2025 group is two-way University Lab star [player_tooltip player_id='144905' first='Keylan' last='Moses']. The younger brother of former Alabama standout Dylan Moses has showcased the past two years his development as a physical and ferocious edge rusher and overall disruptive force in the box. But Keylan, who possesses impressive speed for his size, appears poised to work quite a bit at safety this spring for F3 and continue to develop his coverage skills and looked promising in that role during 7-on-7 practice.   [player_tooltip player_id='139503' first='Marcus' last='Dawson'] (6-3, 190 DB | University Lab | 2024)   More than half the defense on the field at times during 7-on-7 drills hailed from the Cubs defense, and their comfort and chemistry was evident — particularly for Dawson and friend [player_tooltip player_id='144887' first='Tony' last='Burns'] alongside one another. The long, lean Dawson, nicknamed "Deuce" was one of the smoothest cover corners of the day, shadowing receivers stride for stride and making well-timed plays on passes his direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='144887' first='Tony' last='Burns'] (6-1, 180 DB | University Lab | 2024)   This fall was a bit of a breakout opportunity for the brother of LSU safety Major Burns as he garnered more playing time and competition on opponents' top receivers. The younger Burns bears some similarities with Major at this stage in his career in terms of a physicality, edge and spirited competitive drive with quick, strong hands jamming, battling and frustrating even bigger receivers off the line.   [player_tooltip player_id='144902' first='Alec' last='Haynes'] (6-1, 210 ATH | University Lab | 2025)   Similar to his fellow rising-junior Cubs standout, Haynes is eager to use 7-on-7 season to work on his coverage skills after a fall of harassing opposing passers and ball-carrier off the edge. He was all smiles snatching and housing an interception as his teammates celebrated and got his hands on another couple passes for deflections.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9zKhv5Ey7k </div></figure>

The new calendar and football year's have begun, and Louisiana's exploding 7-on-7 scene is off and running for 2023.