7-on-7 Tournaments in Full Swing

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offseason brings with it plenty of practice sessions and time in the gym improving in all facets of the game. Spring and late winter 7-on-7 tournaments are kicking off around the country and the state of Arkansas is always well represented. The 2023 late winter and early spring has not been any different. The Natural State is well represented in a number of tournaments taking place this weekend and we are going to shine a spotlight on a number of prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='337883' first='Drake' last='Fowler']-Defensive Back-Bryant-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arkansas Elite 100 are making plays all over the field this offseason. The Plano 7-on-7 tournament is going on this weekend and Bryant defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='337883' first='Drake' last='Fowler'] is making plays in the secondary, to the surprise of no one. During the 2022 season, Fowler made plenty of highlight reel plays in the secondary for the Hornets and he has continued his impressive play in 7-on-7 play. On the first day of the tournament, Fowler picked off a pass and displayed his ability in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='636277' first='Oquoieah' last='Earl']-Wide Receiver-Beebe-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='636277' first='Oquoieah' last='Earl'] opened plenty of eyes with his solid play at the wide receiver position. He is a big play threat and can take it the distance from anywhere on the field. Earl is a wide receiver that can stretch the field vertically as well as go up and high point the football. The Beebe wide receiver has put his versatility on full display in Plano this weekend. Earl has shown that he can play on both sides of the ball. He has performed well on the defensive side of the ball. I look for him to continue to build recruiting momentum and start raking in some scholarship offers in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='629807' first='Van' last='Thomas III']-Wide Receiver-Bryant-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='629807' first='Van' last='Thomas III'] is another talented wide receiver that Bryant does not have any problems producing. Thomas III is a prospect that has put his impressive route running on display in Plano on day one of the 7-on-7 tournament. He does an excellent job of creating separation from opposing defensive backs to get open. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='629807' first='Van' last='Thomas III'] has the speed that is needed to stretch the field vertically. He is going to be a prospect to watch out for over the next couple of seasons. [player_tooltip player_id='629807' first='Van' last='Thomas III'] has the potential to see playing time on Saturdays in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Gamble-Running Back-Fordyce-2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gamble is another prospect that is putting his versatility on display in Plano this weekend. He is another player that can line up at the running back position or split out wide and play the wide receiver spot for Fordyce this upcoming season. Gamble has the speed to turn a short pass play into an explosive one. Gamble is a threat to score from anywhere on the field and he will be a prospect to watch out for over the next couple of seasons for Fordyce.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203768' first='Drew' last='Davis']-Quarterback-Benton-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='203768' first='Drew' last='Davis'] put a strong arm on display over the weekend in Plano. Over the weekend, Davis displayed that he could throw the football with plenty of touch in the red zone. The Benton signal caller has shown this weekend that he can fit the ball into some tight windows and test the opposing secondary in the process. The future is bright for this talented quarterback out of Benton. Benton always has a talented team, and this upcoming season should not be any different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304269' first='TJ' last='Lindsey']-Defensive Line-Bryant-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have discussed the tremendous ability that defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='304269' first='TJ' last='Lindsey'] has displayed over the past two years. Lindsey has tremendous speed and he put that trait on full display in Plano over the weekend. The Bryant defensive lineman dropped back into pass coverage and made plenty of plays on the football. Lindsey has opened plenty of eyes with his ability to terrorize the opposing offensive backfield. Look for Lindsey to continue his strong performances over the next few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='213495' first='Blair' last='Irvin III']-Wide Receiver-Bentonville-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over in Las Vegas, Blair Ken Irvin III opened plenty of eyes with his impressive play. He is a wide receiver that runs smooth routes and is able to create separation from the opposing defensive back. The tremendous speed that he mixes in with his route running makes him a difficult wide receiver for opposing defensive backs to cover. The Bentonville wide receiver helps give Bentonville one of the most dangerous wide receiver units in the state. Keep an on Ken Irvin III, he is just starting to blow up and he is only going to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149595' first='Landon' last='Holcomb']-Quarterback-Pine Bluff-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='149595' first='Landon' last='Holcomb'] is a quarterback that continues to improve every time I see him. Holcomb throws the ball with accuracy, and he was impressive this season for the Pine Bluff Zebras. Over the weekend, Holcomb did a good job of connecting with his wide receivers on the deep routes. Holcomb performed well over the weekend and I look for him to continue the momentum in the offseason. Pine Bluff always produces talented prospects and Holcomb is another talented prospect to keep an eye out for this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->