7v7 Scrimmage Brings Spotlight To Known and Unknown Recruits..
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On an unusually warmer Sunday in February that drew temperatures to 50 degrees in Taunton, Massachusetts, I was alerted to a 7v7 scrimmage being held amongst three Top 7v7 Programs from different New England regions outdoors. I was convinced to…
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Continue ReadingOn an unusually warmer Sunday in February that drew temperatures to 50 degrees in Taunton, Massachusetts, I was alerted to a 7v7 scrimmage being held amongst three Top 7v7 Programs from different New England regions outdoors. I was convinced to take a ride to see what my sources were telling me, would be worth my time. I must say, I was not disappointed and happy that I did attend. In this report, I will give my observations on eleven recruits from many in attendance that I observed competing and caught my attention.
The 7v7 programs in attendance were “Behind the Pads “from Rhode Island, “No Off Season Elite” from Massachusetts, and “Prime Hustle” from Connecticut. All three programs are solid programs that are designed for ultimate recruiting exposure for each player.
7V7 TEAM PROSPECTS “BEHIND THE PADS” FROM RHODE ISLAND
Justin Denson Justin Denson 6’2″ | 185 lbs | ATH St. Thomas Moore CT. | 2024 NewE The name is well known through New England and is becoming a national mark. His recruitment continues to draw power 5 schools that have already offered and with many more that will likely come on board during the spring. Denson is a freak athlete. He has a burst of speed from the start that is easily noticeable.
I watched him run routes and also play defensive back and cover athletes with ease. I could easily see the special trait of quickness speed and athletic coordination he brings that just makes him different from others. He is by sure competitive in nature, smart, intelligent, and a hard working athlete that takes his game serious. Loved watching him work his craft in the off season.
Highlights
Jamezell Lassiter Jamezell Lassiter 5’8″ | 190 lbs | RB Deerfield Academy | 2024 State NewE The star running back will be doing a post grad year giving him a reclass into the class of 2024. With that said, he could draw additional Div 1 colleges to his offer list. The star running back makes things look easy while being positioned in the backfield. It was nice to see him make some plays from the slot positon. He runs very good routs, his hands are very reliable and he has such a low center of gravity that he easily finds the running lanes while zig zagging in and out from avoiding defenders after the catch. He also gets upfield quickly after the catch.
Highlights
Israel Hiraldo Israel Hiraldo 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR Mt. Pleasant | 2023 State NewE is a rising recruit whose recruitment is now grabbing the attention of D1 FBS schools. He recently picked up three offers from the likes of Bowling Green, West Virginia and Maryland. I was able to watch his skill set closely during the day. He is a high level competitor and understands assignments and schemes.
I observed him communicating and directing other defenders in what to do during reps. He is very confident in his game and it shows. He will line up in front of any receiver and challenge them with aggressive play and sticking like glue in coverages. He is super quick and has very good speed. He is wired differently and has flexibility that allows him to change directions, accelerate, stop, and accelerate again easily.
Edy Soares Edy Soares 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Shea | 2025 NewE He caught my eye with his smooth running ability and how easily and quick he can open his hips when defending receivers. A rising young talent that is gifted with athletic ability and has much room to grow and time to continue developing.
He was like a blanket in coverages no matter what size athlete he was covering. He has a lean muscular frame with length in his arms. Has good quickness and speed.
Highlights
Jaden Moseley Jaden Moseley 6’3″ | 175 lbs | QB Lasalle Academy RI. | 2024 State NewE His frame alone caught my attention. His footwork in his drops and smooth mechanics in his throws were good. He stands tall while scanning the field during his progressions. He continues to keep eyes downfield while bouncing on the balls of his feet before delivering the throw. He shows a command presence at the position. He can quickly see the openings and reacts with darts being thrown with good ball placement for the receiver to make the catch.
Cameron Evora Cameron Evora 6’1″ | 170 lbs | WR East Providence H.S. RI. | 2024 State NewE The wide receiver was my surprise of the day. Had not known about him prior to attending this event. He caught my attention after I saw him do repeated acrobatic catches that showed his balance and body control of a higher level than others. His hands were like glue and he knows where the ball is when targeted. He is twitchy with very good athletic coordination. He has a nice lean athletic frame and he catches everything away from the body with firm reliable hands. This young man is a sleeper in the recruiting world.
Amare Fortes Amare Fortes 5’11” | 170 lbs | ATH RI. | 2024 NewE He was seen making plays after plays from the cornerback position. This young man can cover and he brings an aggressive and physical mentality when doing so in his skill set.
Another find of the day that I was not aware of prior to this event. His smooth back pedal and quick burst shined on the day. He has dog mentality and will line up against anyone with the thought to win the battle and nothing less. At 5’11” he showed some good up’s in his vertical abilities. Has loose hips with flexibility seen though out is body.
7v7 TEAM PROSPECTS “NO OFF SEASON” FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Matthew Mullins Matthew Mullins 6’4″ | 215 lbs | TE Canterbury School. Ct | 2025 State NewE He is a large target and has a nice athletic muscular frame. He has range, speed and quickness for his size. He was another unknown to me prior to this event. His play surely caught my eye after the 1st scrimmage game. He has good upper and lower body strength and definitely no stranger to the weight room.
One of the things that really stood out to me was his hands and how strong they are when he catches the ball. I observed a few db’s trying to make plays after the catch by knocking ball away. However, with the strength of his hands and how he protects the ball after the catch, they were unsuccessful in each attempt. His 4.7 speed was on full display and to watch him move that fast with the frame he has, was impressive.
Nikko Morris Nikko Morris 5’8″ | 165 lbs | ATH Fairhaven H.S. Ma. | 2024 State NewE I was told he played QB for his high school last year as he was one of the best athletes on his team. Although being 5’8″ in height, it appears the Qb position isn’t where he will likely be recruited. He did show he could easily transition to wide receiver or slot.
He lined up at wide receiver and displayed reliable hands while running excellent routs to find the opening. He definitely has open field vision and can find running lanes after the catch. He can plant a foot in the ground and change direction instantly without losing speed to make defenders miss. He will battle the size issue but, his overall athleticism helps overcome any concerns. In speaking with some coaches, he can also be a productive running back.
Highlights
Anthony Pettijohn Anthony Pettijohn 5’11” | 155 lbs | DB Taunton H.S. Ma. | 2024 State NewE Saw him play in a live setting this past season and he caught my eye there. He is quick, with fast twitch reaction abilities. He has length in his frame, and a wing span that indicates more room for growth.
He has high level body control and balance. Good athletic skill set. Does well with man-to-man cover skills. He continues to impress and did really well in man to man coverages during the scrimmages. He has length in his arms and shows a high level vertical.
7v7 TEAM PROSPECTS “PRIME HUSTLE” FROM CONNECTICUT
Armani Reid Armani Reid 5’10” | 160 lbs | ATH East Coast Prep | 2025 NewE If you like speed this recruit is one to see. He has high level speed and quickness and easily can be seen. He was really impressive with his rout running capabilities. He is smooth on his breaks and can dip his hips and change direction on the dime. He can see and wiggle in and out of running lanes while making defenders miss. He showed a very good burst after the catch that allows him to get upfield quickly for large gains. When he adds some body weight to his frame, he will be a serious threat to any defensive backs in coverages. His speed just pops out on the field when viewing him play.