Bootleggers North 7v7 tryout/preseason eye-catchers

As the spring nonscholastic/travel 7-on-7 season approaches, Prep Redzone Louisiana will preview some of the state's student-athletes to watch this spring with a series of tryout eye-catchers and names to know for the coming months.   Next up: Twelve talented players who stood out during the Bootleggers' tryout events for north Louisiana, based primarily in the Shreveport area.   The Bootleggers are the state's — and one of the country's — longest-tenured organization of its kind, going back 15 years, and feature a handful of regional/metro teams that filter up to the statewide "national" team.   (Note: The scout/writer accepted a position this winter coordinating the roster selection of this organization's national teams.)     [player_tooltip player_id='1237621' first='Charley' last='Abraham'] — 5-11 WR/ATH — Evangel Christian (2026)   The big sophomore target was among top pass-catcher on the 15U side of the field as a big target with vertical speed and sure hands on balls he high-pointed over defenders or caught over the shoulde.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 165 WR — Airline (2026)   One of the top receivers at the event, the Vikings' sophomore showed flashes of his big-play ability early this fall before being sidelined by injury and looked well on his way back on track to more big things ahead. The long, lean athlete caught everything his direction from well-run routes to the sideline or over the middle to a couple acrobatic grabs over defenders on deep shots to the end zone.   [player_tooltip player_id='401978' first='Luke' last='Delafield'] — 6-2, 175 QB — North DeSoto (2026)   The Griffins' star sophomore was only available for the early, workout portions of the event, but looked the highly touted part of one of the state's top passers in his class with his tall, solid build and strong arm.   [player_tooltip player_id='261907' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — 6-0, 185 QB — Evangel Christian (2027)   The Shreveport tryout was loaded with quarterback talent, including arguably the top freshman passer in the state headlining a strong 2027 group overall. Houston made decisive, strong and accurate throws all over the field from leading receivers through traffic over the middle and dropping in his deep shots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237630' first='Jerimiah' last='Johnson'] — 5-10, 145 DB — Northwood (Shreveport) (2026)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1237641' first='Justin' last='Thomas'] — 5-11, 165 DB — Northwood (Shreveport) (2026)   The Falcons' sophomore duo were two of the day's top defensive backs, winning the bulk of their matchups against receivers other than 18U standouts Darby and [player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas'].   Kaleb Law — 5-11 WR/DB — Captain Shreve (2027)   The younger brother of Alabama speedster Kendrick Law brings the same high-level track pedigree to the football field and showed that special trait on some vertical runs over the top of the defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237645' first='Luke' last='Miller'] — 5-10, 165 DB — Calvary Baptist (2026)   The younger brother of linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='291164' first='Cole' last='Miller'], noted among the Cavs' eye-catchers this season, was a ballhawk on the 15U side of the field with at least one interception and several other big deflections as consistently read and anticipated plays to put himself in great position for the stops.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237639' first='Kyson' last='Pao'] — 6-1, 165 WR — Calvary Baptist (2026)   The Cavaliers will have to replace several senior receivers, but appear to have a solid cast of options ready to take on bigger roles to help fill those big shoes. Pao was among the final three receivers in a "last man standing" one-on-one competition in which he consistently created enough space to provide a big, sure-handed target for his quarterbacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='401969' first='Jamarcea' last='Plater'] — 5-8, 175 DB/ATH — Captain Shreve (2026)   The Gators' versatile, explosive athlete was the day's top defensive back, racking up pass breakups from a safety position on the back end of the defense and completely blanketing receivers with his man coverage in one-on-ones.   [player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas'] — 5-11, 165 WR — Calvary Baptist (2025)   Along with the aforementioned Darby, the speedy Thomas was a top receiver on the day cutting himself open on seemingly every play. "KT," who caught the game-winning touchdown late in the Cavs' state championship, kicked off his offseason with a 4.44-second 40-yard dash at the Army Bowl Combine and flashed that speed all over his home field at the tryout.   [player_tooltip player_id='144901' first='Abram' last='Wardell'] — 6-0, 190 QB — Calvary Baptist   Fresh off the heels of the Cavaliers' state championship and his long list of superlative accolades, Wardell carried his confident, efficient performance right into 7-vs-7 with well-placed throws all over the field. The rising senior standout enters the offseason seeming determined and diligent to build upon a stellar junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='465282' first='Malachi' last='Zeigler'] — 6-3, 190 QB — Benton (2027)   Add the Tigers' multisport standout to Louisiana's list of young quarterbacks likely to earn notable national recruiting attention. Zeigler not only fit in well with the impressive group of passers, but stood out with his big frame and arm and positive, supportive energy.

As the spring nonscholastic/travel 7-on-7 season approaches, Prep Redzone Louisiana will preview some of the state's student-athletes to watch this spring with a series of tryout eye-catchers and names to know for the coming months.