Eye-catchers, Notes from LSU 7v7 tournament

LSU's annual 7-on-7 tournament was, as always, one of the highlights of the program's June recruiting schedule.   Thirty-nine teams, including a handful from out of state, visited campus to compete for championships in four different divisions — with Warren Easton, Lafayette Christian, Calvary Baptist and Isidore Newman claiming trophies.   Check out a few notes on 12 eye-catchers, listed in alphabetical order, including a mix of more established players and newer faces who stood out.   <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/RrGxdQ1OUR0 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='421515' first='Kylan' last='Billiot'] — 6-4, 185 WR — Terrebonne (2024)   The Tigers' multisport standout made good on his mission to earn an LSU offer, returning to campus for his second time in four days and continued growing buzz around the facility all the way to his team's berth in its division title game. Billiot had had a solid workout last June, but showed up this summer more developed both physically and technically and put on a bit of a show.   Greg Donaldson — 5-11, 180 QB/ATH — Warren Easton (2024)   The Eagles' new starting quarterback, an all-district cornerback this past fall, led an explosive passing attack all the way to a division championship in the tournament. Donaldson showed a great feel and made good, quick reads and throws all over the field from deep strikes to adjusting to nicely placed balls with greater touch.   <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/eHLFp6R3WJ4 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='139491' first='Wallace' last='Foster IV'] — 5-11, 160 DB — Warren Easton (2024)   The longtime LSU commit was back in action after losing his junior season to injury. Foster brought his energy, edge and aggressiveness back to an Eagles secondary that returns several other talented players and has a chance to be notably stingy this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='914014' first='Eli' last='Friend'] — 6-1, 195 QB — Isidore Newman (2025)   Arch Manning's successor as the Greenies' quarterback helped lead the team to its division championship, including a title-game defeat of one of Catholic (Baton Rouge)'s teams for the trophy. A confident Friend was impressive in the matchup, getting the ball out, zipping strong throws downfield and maintaining his accuracy on rollouts.   <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/NT3OVWyKfNs </div></figure>     Isaiah Grant — 6-2, 225 LB — Isidore Newman (2024)   The Greenies' multisport athlete, in his second second with the football team, played well enough in the middle of the defense to garner some attention from Louisiana Tech. Grant, a member of Newman's back-to-back basketball championships, has good size and moves well in space. And he showed during spring practices his increased comfort with the physical aspect of the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='144893' first='Trae' last='Grogan'] — 6-1, 180 WR — Lafayette Christian (2024)   and Treanders Marzell Jr. — 5-9, 185 WR/ATH — Lafayette Christian (2024)   LSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='139261' first='Ju'Juan' last='Johnson'] was running the offense for the Knights, and his fellow rising seniors were key, consistent targets en route to a division championship that included coming out on top of a title-game shootout with Terrebonne. The bigger Grogan and shiftier Marzell, both of whom have been running eye-catching 40 times on camp stops around the region, are playing with major confidence right now entering their final high school seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='261907' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — 5-10, 180 QB — Calvary Baptist (2027)   and [player_tooltip player_id='144901' first='Abram' last='Wardell'] — 5-11, 190 QB — Calvary Baptist (2025)   The Cavaliers' young rising star and returning starter split drives at the helm of the offense throughout the day. And, regardless of which was playing when, the team swept through the tournament undefeated to win their division with the ball spreading around efficiently to their deep receiving corps.   <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/kqtItNuE2eM </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='934564' first='Braylun' last='Huglon'] — 5-10, 160 DB — Calvary Baptist (2027)   The Cavs' secondary did its part on the other side of the ball with the safety duo of [player_tooltip player_id='145363' first='Landon' last='Sylvie'] and [player_tooltip player_id='144896' first='Julius' last='Moss'], corners [player_tooltip player_id='285201' first='Detravon' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='285202' first='Chaz' last='Whitaker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='291164' first='Cole' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='285616' first='Hutch' last='Grace'] in the middle of the field helping lead the way. And the rising freshman cornerback fit right in, not shying away from the older competition and largely locking down his side of the field. As well-situated as Calvary Baptist's defensive back group is with upperclassmen, Huglon is already a name to know in the mix.   [player_tooltip player_id='144878' first='Will' last='Loerzel'] — 6-3, 220 TE/DL — Isidore Newman (2024)   The Greenies' big tight end emphasized this offseason making strides in his game as a receiver to go along with his blocking and overall physicality he considered his strong suit thus far. And he looked good as a primary target in the title game, smoothly navigating his way open all over the field and multiple times in the end zone.   [player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] — 6-0, 200 RB — Calvary Baptist (2025)   Whether on the non-school, travel circuit in the spring or with his Cavs this summer, the rising junior running back has been a menace to opposing defenses in the 7-on-7 format in a way that has helped further bolster his exploding recruiting stock. Simon consistently shows how smoothly he can run routes and catch passes all over the field on top of his big frame and physical running ability.

LSU's annual 7-on-7 tournament was, as always, one of the highlights of the program's June recruiting schedule.