Eight 2027 Louisiana standouts from DR7 NOLA 7v7

Naturals 15U 7v7

Jerit Roser February 21, 2024 @ 05:55 PM

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.   And the long list of standouts extended beyond the older athletes of the 18U bracket.   We've taken a look at some of the top 2025 and 2026 performers at the event, but here's a look at eight talented young freshmen who caught our attention during the weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='934589' first='Collin' last='DiBetta'] — 5-10, 175 WR — Acadiana (2027)   The Wreckin' Rams' speedy receiver, already with an Ole Miss offer this spring, wasted no time generating some more buzz with his Bootleggers 15U national team debut in which opponents had a difficult time keeping him covered during much of the weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250291' first='Alex' last='Fontenot'] — 6-2, 180 WR — Alexandria (2027)   The Trojans' standout freshman, one of the bigger targets among Louisiana's 15U teams, was among the top receivers for the JackBoyz's younger group with his smooth route-running and good ball skills from tracking the ball in stride and through traffic and making sure-handed catches out away from and up above his body, including contested situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='261907' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — 6-0, 185 QB — Evangel Christian (2027)   The Bootleggers 15U national team's leader with the strong, accurate arm had another good showing at the helm of an offense that averaged 29.3 points per contest in pool play and 25.8 for the weekend overall despite some disruptive drops Sunday in their loss to the Naturals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250305' first='Reece' last='Lafont'] — 5-10, 155 WR/ATH — E.D. White (2027)   The younger brother of Nicholls State signee [player_tooltip player_id='314043' first='Paxton' last='Lafont'] appeared to be taking the family baton well as a leader of a balanced Naturals receiving corps in their bracket upset of the Bootleggers, getting open for catches across the middle, wheeling up the sideline and in goal-line situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='942208' first='Mason' last='Moore'] — 5-10, 160 DB — Central (Baton Rouge) (2027)   In another standout weekend for the Bootleggers' 15U national team, Moore patrolled the middle of the field, including a well-anticipated and-jumped interception in bracket play against the Naturals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1189572' first='Cooper' last='Odle'] — 5-10, 140 QB — Vandebilt Catholic (2027)   The Naturals had a tough day overall Saturday in pool play — averaging just over 10 points per contest — but shook back for their best performances of the weekend during single-elimination bracket action, including a second-round upset of the Bootleggers.   [player_tooltip player_id='237454' first='Zade' last='Richmond'] — 5-10, 180 WR — Southern Lab (2027)   The freshman on the Kittens' state-title squad was a speedy counterpart to the aforementioned Fontenot among the standouts in the JackBoyz's 15U receiving corps with his ability to stretch the field vertically or break free from coverage across the middle of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250281' first='Karsen' last='Sellers'] — 6-1, 150 QB — Alexandria (2027)   Fontenot's high school teammate — an exciting duo for the years to come in Alexandria — led the JackBoyz' offense with his good size and strong, accurate arm, particularly for his age.

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.