Eight 2026 Louisiana standouts from DR7 NOLA 7v7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DR7 New Orleans, the most prominent 7-on-7 tournament in Louisiana thus far in the season's early weeks, drew programs from around the state and the region to weather the competition and cold, damp conditions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three of the final four teams standing in the 18U bracket hailed from the home state, with the Central Louisiana-based JackBoyz coming away with the trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll take a look at some of the top 2025, 2026 and 2027 performers at the event, including eight talented young players below fresh off their sophomore seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185912' first='Narco' last='Dunn'] — 6-1, 220 LB — Warren Easton (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles' big linebacker had one of the first big defensive plays of the 18U tournament in NOLA HotBoy$ Black's pool-opening matchup against the Bootleggers, snatching an interception across the middle and taking off toward midfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1189779' first='Arnell' last=''] Garner Jr. — 5-8, 150 DB — Hammond (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tornado's sophomore safety had a knack for being in the right place for the NOLA HotBoy$ Black defense with diving interceptions against the Bootleggers and Mamba in pool play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 170 DB — Edna Karr (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long, speedy safety looked every bit the part of one of not only Louisiana's, but the country's top 2026 prospects with his patrolling of the back end of the Dolphins' Top Jacks' defense and well-timed breaks on balls for at least one interception, at least one other near-pick and multiple other deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401948' first='Clinton' last='Hill Jr.'] — 5-10, 170 DB — St. Augustine (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another defensive standout for the Dolphins' Top Jacks' 18U runner-up team, Hill appeared to work primarily covering the slot and help Hall and [player_tooltip player_id='291158' first='Arsenio' last='Bolds Jr.'] (mentioned in the 2025 standouts article) shut down the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710970' first='Hayward' last='Howard Jr.'] — 6-0, 155 DB — Edna Karr (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of small, but important notes on the long, lean cornerback who has been among Prep Redzone Louisiana's top prospects in the class for about a year now: Howard appears to have hit the (at least) 6-foot mark and is now also preparing for a junior season at Edna Karr after playing at rival Warren Easton as a sophomore. The young Howard played well working primarily with the Bootleggers' 18U squad — including a game-sealing breakup in the end zone in one bracket win — as well as one contest with the 15U group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401982' first='Tahmaj' last='Jackson'] — 5-11, 165 WR — Warren Easton (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speedy sophomore with decent size for his age was among the Dolphins' Top Jacks' standouts on offense during their title-game run. Jackson ran free across the middle of the field for multiple big catches, caught strong and in stride out away from his body, during the tournament semifinal and final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kani King-Young — 5-9, 190 RB — St. James (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the offensive standouts for the Bayou/River Bootleggers regional team, the stoutly built St. James back looked good in open-field format, flashing some speed, route-running and a good receiving skillset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212340' first='Jabari' last='Mack'] — 6-0, 170 WR — Destrehan (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly touted sophomore prospect was one of the bright spots for the Bootleggers' offense during a rough showing at Battle Miami last month, but went on to have his best performance thus far this spring Sunday in DR7 NOLA's bracket play. Mack flashed his speed to run free on several occasions, but also made some impressively strong-handed catches through attempted deflections and contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->