Bootleggers' national team opens 7v7 season at Battle Miami

The Bootleggers, the forefathers of all-star/non-scholastic 7-on-7 in Louisiana, kicked off their national season this weekend in the prominent annual Battle Miami tournament.   Now more than a decade into the running, the organization has grown to include multiple regional branches around the state as well as more opportunities for athletes, often with Louisiana ties, from around the southeast to get involved.   The Bootleggers' national team brought its most diverse group yet — 12 players from in-state and 12 from out of state — to this weekend's event with representatives from Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland and even Nebraska.   And the top performers in their 4-1 showing were split accordingly as well.   Check out the details on the three top performances by Louisiana prospects, as well as some quick notes on a few of their out-of-state teammates.   TOP IN-STATE PERFORMERS   [player_tooltip player_id='144887' first='Tony' last='Burns'] II (6-1, 180 DB | University Lab | 2024)   The team's clear defensive MVP of the weekend set the turn with an interception on its first defensive play, snatched another during the first matchup and deflected several other passes during the tournament while playing a variety of positions on the field.. The younger brother of LSU safety Major Burns is a smart, competitive and aggressive athlete with good size and should be among the state's breakouts on the recruiting trail this offseason as a likely college safety or potentially nickel.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNkJNsFEjvQ </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='145363' first='Landon' last='Sylvie'] (5-11, 170 DB | Calvary Baptist | 2024)   The Calvary Baptist safety was Burns' partner-in-crime as quarterbacks of the defense. Sylvie is also the younger brother of a recent high-profile prospect in now-former Oklahoma signee Chanse Sylvie and possesses similar intelligence and feel for the game that he showcased on a pair of score-saving interceptions and other deflections in the end zone or near the goal line.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ddykjLcPhU </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='139494' first='Xavier' last='McGlothan'] (5-9, 150 DB | Calvary Baptist | 2024)   Burns and Sylvie had plenty of fellow Louisiana defensive backs join them in providing that side of the ball some smart play, communication and edge. And Sylvie's high school teammate, nicknamed "Tutt," was among the most notable and consistent. The younger cousin of former LSU standouts Devin White and Dwight McGlothern Jr. has always been a speedy athlete and has continued to develop physically in terms of both a little more height and muscle. His combination of quick reads and fast closing speed helped him make a few nice deflections on the weekend and get to receivers for immediate stops on other plays.   New Orleans cornerbacks [player_tooltip player_id='145328' first='Tasmin' last='Showers'] (5-10, 175 DB | Mandeville | 2024) and [player_tooltip player_id='285684' first='Jeremiah' last='Clark'] (5-10, 170 DB | Helen Cox | 2024) each had their big moments throughout the tournament with their physicality and aggressiveness, and East Ascension athlete [player_tooltip player_id='139480' first='Brennon' last='Thompson'] (6-0, 180 ATH | 2024) and Archbishop Rummel corner [player_tooltip player_id='145357' first='Lennis' last='Finister'] Jr. (5-10, 160 DB | 2025) both played well in limited opportunities and should earn more playing time moving forward.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/F-wZquhh9Xs </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> </figcaption></figure>   TOP OUT-OF-STATE PERFORMERS   [player_tooltip player_id='139596' first='Noreel' last='White'] (6-1, 180 WR | Mississippi | 2024)   The Bootleggers' offensive MVP hails from a short trip across the Mississippi border in Ocean Springs. White hauled in catches all over the field for at least half a dozen touchdowns on buzzer-beating jump balls deep down field, speedy catches-and-runs on shorter and intermediate routes and focused, acrobatic sideline grabs.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/Td4pvKsij0Q </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='321445' first='Zion' last='Ferguson'] (6-0, 175 DB | Georgia | 2024) and JoJo Stone Jr. (5-11, 180 WR/ATH | Georgia | 2024)   The former high school teammates and current LSU commitments both played well, though Stone was limited with a sore back, and seemed to bring immediate leadership and maturity to the team. Ferguson was the team's top boundary corner, locking down his side of the field, playing smart and making well-timed breaks to deflect passes anywhere remotely close.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/_QCfzLNM-x0 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='139635' first='Daniel' last='Hill'] (6-1, 220 ATH | Mississippi | 2024)   The Bootleggers' founder joked during the weekend that the big, physical Meridian, Miss., athlete was like Zion Williamson as he showcased his explosive leaping ability on a trio of aerial circus catches in the end zone — the exact type of diversity to his game the bruising running back and linebacker looked forward to showcasing on the 7-on-7 circuit.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/UUjPSqzeEho </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='157078' first='Asaad' last='Brown'] Jr. (6-1, 175 DB | Virginia | 2024)   The Virginia cornerback was solid on the opposite of the field from Ferguson, allowing few completions his direction and snatching an interception.   Cameron Pruitt (6-3, 190 LB/S | Alabama | 2024)   The long, lean Alabama athlete is a freak and a versatile impact player as a linebacker or safety.   [player_tooltip player_id='344148' first='Damari' last='Jefferson'] (5-10, 165 WR | Mississippi | 2024)   The younger cousin of former LSU standouts Jordan, Rickey and Justin Jefferson caught and ran for a game-winning touchdown in the Bootleggers' second game of the weekend to highlight his performance over the two-day event.   [player_tooltip player_id='320049' first='Sebastian' last='Circo'] (6-0, 170 QB | Nebraska | 2025)   The 2025 Omaha North quarterback has been familiar with the team most of his life as the son of the CEO of Battle and is relishing the opportunity to lead the offense with his suddenly 6-foot frame, high football IQ and arm to make highlight throws all over the field. He earned an offer from Miami during the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='157081' first='Keylen' last='Adams'] (6-2, 185 WR | Virginia | 2024)   The tall receiver was a clearly talented athlete and smooth route-running who made several catches during the weekend.

The Bootleggers, the forefathers of all-star/non-scholastic 7-on-7 in Louisiana, kicked off their national season this weekend in the prominent annual Battle Miami tournament.