Eye-catchers, Notes from Ragin' Cajuns' 7v7 tournament

The Ragin' Cajuns' annual 7-on-7 tournament Saturday helped highlight a big weekend to punctuate the program's June recruiting schedule.   Twenty-three teams visited campus for a full day of pool and bracket play that ended with St. Augustine as the last men standing after game-sealing defensive plays to hold off Calvary Baptist's comeback push.   Those two teams from opposite corners of the state headlined a slew of strong team and individual performances.   Check out a few notes on 12 eye-catchers from the tournament, including a mix of more established players and newer faces who stood out, as well as a couple defensive tackles who generated some buzz with their performances at the simultaneous line camp.     [player_tooltip player_id='401948' first='Clinton' last='Hill Jr.'] — 5-10, 170 DB/ATH — St. Augustine (2026)   Several Purple Knights stepped up throughout the course of the day to help bring the tournament title home, including the rising sophomore who iced away the title game with an interception in the end zone in the final seconds of a one-score game. Rising senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='421523' first='Christian' last='Pritchett'] and rising junior corner [player_tooltip player_id='1335970' first='Frederick' last='Lewis'] were among others Prep Redzone Louisiana saw snatch interceptions, and rising junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='914118' first='Caleb' last='Blanco'] and rising senior defensive backs Michael Malone and Charles Gurley III were among those with big breakups for a defense that swiftly shut windows on opposing quarterbacks from the opener to the final.   Amare Cooper — 6-3, 180 QB — St. Augustine (2024)   On the other side of the ball, St. Augustine's rising senior quarterback was particularly sharp most of the day — probably his best performance in six times Prep Redzone Louisiana has seen him during the past two months — spreading well-placed throws around the field to a receiving corps missing stars [player_tooltip player_id='139475' first='Joshua' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='421605' first='Hubert' last='Caliste'] Jr. Coach Nick Foster praised his handle on the offense as among the reasons for the Purple Knights' high-level title aspirations this fall. Similarly to the secondary, several wide receivers made big plays during the course of the day with talented rising junior Nehemiah Philip standing out, including hanging on to a tough touchdown catch through contact to advance past Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) to the title game.   [player_tooltip player_id='145363' first='Landon' last='Sylvie'] — 5-10, 160 DB — Calvary Baptist (2024)   The Cavaliers' safety has been a steady presence in Prep Redzone Louisiana coverage throughout the spring and summer as one of the state's most underrated rising seniors. Sylvie has been consistently good for about an interception almost every time out — whether each 7-on-7 game or in camp one-on-one settings — with his quick reads and explosive breaks on the ball. He is one of the state's smartest prospects whom defensive coordinator Mark Miller has praised as a coach on the field with his calls and communication with his teammates. And while he lacks prototypical size, he has always been a tough, physical athlete not afraid to come downhill in run support. Calvary Baptist's defense was once again stout across the board throughout the day with a long list of contributors including [player_tooltip player_id='285201' first='Detravon' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='285202' first='Chaz' last='Whitaker'], [player_tooltip player_id='934564' first='Braylun' last='Huglon'], [player_tooltip player_id='144896' first='Julius' last='Moss'], [player_tooltip player_id='285616' first='Hutch' last='Grace'], [player_tooltip player_id='291164' first='Cole' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='914111' first='Titus' last='Stringer'] and, stepping up well in an expanded role, rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1237645' first='Luke' last='Miller'].   [player_tooltip player_id='144896' first='Julius' last='Moss'] — 5-9, 180 ATH/DB — Calvary Baptist (2025)   Moss, long on Prep Redzone Louisiana's radar as an underrated nickel/safety prospect, had to be included in the above list of defensive standouts. But the versatile and explosive young athlete had maybe his biggest offensive day thus far with Prep Redzone Louisiana on hand with an array of highlights both catching the ball downfield and consistently turning shorter throws into big plays with his ability to shake defenders and get upfield for major chunks of yardage after the catch. He, Jay Simon, [player_tooltip player_id='285663' first='Chris' last='Jackson'] Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='139496' first='Taylor' last='Guerrero'] and [player_tooltip player_id='139492' first='Lavorziesa' last='Houston'].   Ryan Brown — 5-6, 160 WR — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) (2025)   The short, quick slot receiver generated some buzz among opposing coaches and defenders as a go-to for new starting quarterback Myron Nelson that helped lead the Panthers' charge to the tournament semifinals. The son of former Glen Oaks star Tim Brown worked and forced his way into playing time this past fall on a talented Woodlawn depth chart with his reliability to get open and to make big catches at pivotal moments and figures to be more of a focal point this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='144876' first='Hezekiah' last='Dantzler'] — 6-0, 175 WR/DB — Madison Prep (2024)   The rising senior athlete stood out in Saturday's semifinal against Calvary Baptist as a go-to vertical threat for rising junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='291086' first='Tylan' last='Johnson'], providing a reliable target Johnson can trust Dantzler, Johnson and running back Tony Lewis to give the Chargers a talented and experienced trio of leaders on that side of the ball. But Dantzler has had a strong offseason overall on both sides of the ball from the receiving ability to flashing some of his hard-hitting physicality during padded work in the spring and generally setting an all-around example to the program's up-and-coming talent on and off the field as a well-rounded student-athlete earning consistent praise from his coaches.   [player_tooltip player_id='681280' first='Javion' last='White'] — 5-11, 180 DB/WR/ATH — Franklin Parish (2024)   The Patriots' standout has been a breakthrough prospect throughout the spring with his performances on defense for the Bootleggers' 7-on-7 teams and a run of six offers from Missouri, Memphis, Tulane, Grambling State, Nicholls State and Florida A&M — leading to his Green Wave commitment Sunday. White was strong on that side of the ball in Saturday's tournament with at least one interception and multiple big pass breakups just in the game and a half on which Prep Redzone Louisiana had eyes, but also helped lead the Franklin Parish offense with his range of catches from burning past opposing corners deep, making catches across the middle of the field in tight windows and going up over defenders for contested grabs in the air.   [player_tooltip player_id='285205' first='Traville' last='Frederick Jr.'] — 6-3, 210 TE — Jeanerette (2024)   Another likely steal in Louisiana's 2024 class that Tulane appears poised to hold on to, Frederick was difficult to miss at his size on the 7-on-7 field — and then moved really well out on his routes as not only a safety blanket for his quarterback staying closer to the line of scrimmage, but a vertical threat on 30- and 40-yard throws toward the end zone. Despite Alabama, Texas A&M, Florida, Mississippi State, Oregon and others having extended offers or ramped up their recruitments at different points since his March 4 commitment, Frederick said he remains locked into the opportunity to be a part of what the Green Wave staff and players are building in New Orleans.   [player_tooltip player_id='139504' first='Nathan' last='Roberts'] — 6-0, 185 WR/ATH — Carroll (2024)   The new Louisiana Tech target — who also holds offers last month from South Carolina, Lamar, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State — and fellow rising senior Coop Alexander were among the big-play pass-catchers who helped lead the Bulldogs past Monroe rival Wossman in a fun, back-and-forth matchup early Saturday.   Travis Lynch — 6-1, 185 WR/ATH — Wossman (2025)   The rising junior will be the Wildcats' next athlete — or one of their next — of a talented 2025 class to find a position in the Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings. The taller, longer Lynch and previously ranked speedster [player_tooltip player_id='710771' first='Richard' last='Wilson Jr.'] complemented one another well in the Wossman offense trading shots with rival Carroll during pool play.   [player_tooltip player_id='740992' first='Johnny' last='Casey'] Jr. — 5-9, 155 DB/WR — Evangel Christian (2026)   Some well-known seniors, including twin brothers Parker and [player_tooltip player_id='407770' first='Peyton' last='Fulghum'] and two-way speedster [player_tooltip player_id='421531' first='Tyreek' last='Robinson'], were among the standouts in Prep Redzone Louisiana's opportunity to catch the Eagles on Saturday morning. But the rising sophomore made a definite impression with one of the team's biggest highlights on a well-timed, leaping deflection and then interception in the end zone.   Jamarius Powell — 6-3, 185 WR/DB — Rayville (2024)   Prep Redzone Louisiana only caught a couple quick glimpses at Rayville, a former district rival of Carroll and Wossman. But one under-the-radar athlete that looked the part was the rising senior multisport athlete, who also plays down low for the Hornets' perennial power basketball team. Powell lined up as a tall, thickly built pass-catcher on the outside and is also listed as a safety on the other side of the ball. He could be an interesting under-the-radar prospect who will garner a closer look before the next rankings update.   [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 280 DL — Edna Karr (2026)   The Ragin' Cajuns were simultaneously holding a camp for linemen during the first half of the 7-on-7 tournament, and at least one big prospect in the trenches earned an offer for his performance. Word was that the rising sophomore defensive tackle looked good in drills and won the bulk of his one-on-one reps to push the coaches to make their move.   [player_tooltip player_id='285270' first='Cornell' last='Harris'] Jr. — 6-2, 250 DL — St. Augustine (2024)   Another New Orleans defensive tackle who has been a popular Prep Redzone Louisiana mention in recent months also garnered praise for his performance with other schools' players, parents coaches on hand saying he won every rep during one-on-ones.

The Ragin' Cajuns' annual 7-on-7 tournament Saturday helped highlight a big weekend to punctuate the program's June recruiting schedule.