Long Island Verified Elite: 7v7 Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long Island Verified Elite has established itself as one of the top 7v7 programs in the Tri-State Area. They have some of the top players from Long Island and New York City representing them during the 7v7 circuit. Long Island Verified Elite has been invited to the Prep Redzone 7v7 tournament in April, along with other tournaments. Look out for these players below to have a big offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505386"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"You can make an argument that Samuel is the top player in New York. This offseason he will have an incredible impact on Long Island Verified Elite. Samuel had a dominant junior season for Erasmus Hall helping them win their 5th straight PSAL championship. In the title game, Samuel recorded two big touchdowns and proved to be a matchup nightmare. His size, speed, and hands are amongst the best in the state. In spring tournaments he's already been a jump ball machine, as he makes some of the most entertaining plays you'll see. Samuel just made his commitment to Penn State.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["270504"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"A staple for the Holy Trinity secondary this past season. Thomas plays with incredible intensity to his game. He has a lot of speed and toughness to allow him to track down the ball carrier and make some hard hits. At 5'7 and around 160 pounds, he's one of the top tacklers you'll see for an undersized DB. He had a couple of forced fumbles last year and was terrific in run support. He also had a nose for the ball, recovering multiple fumbles and racking up some TFL's. In the 7v7 season, you can expect him to be a great safety for this team and display his ball skills and ability to quarterback a defense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["836781"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another electric two-way player on this 7v7 team. Locke had a monster junior season at Holy Trinity. He quickly made a name for himself as one of the top defensive backs in all of New York after transferring in from Georgia. Locke shut down some of the best receivers and was one of the more entertaining players to watch on Long Island. For Long Island Verified Elite, he will also be playing a ton of receiver and that's where you'll see the ball skills. Locke can go up and come down with it at a high rate. He plays much bigger than he is and his route running has already improved a ton after seeing some of his spring 7v7 film. He's shown a great release and creates separation with ease.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["806310"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"After a successful junior season with Freeport, Paul is back on the 7v7 circuit as one of the top athletes on Long Island. He was a great defensive back in the high school season and now we're seeing how dangerous he could be at receiver. Paul has reliable hands and electric speed to make plays after the catch. In spring tournaments, he seemingly always got into open space to haul in passes. He's developed great chemistry with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='606253' first='Brady' last='Nash'] and that's a combo that will be impressive in the summer. I'm excited to see Paul in man coverage this summer as a defensive back, he has great footwork and he thrived against some talented receivers in Nassau County.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["606266"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"While this team has two very talented ‘25 quarterbacks, [player_tooltip player_id='806359' first='Josiah' last='Patrick'], and [player_tooltip player_id='606253' first='Brady' last='Nash'], those two will be joined by a great 2026 prospect by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='606266' first='Jacob' last='Guzik']. He flew under the radar during his sophomore year at Huntington, but he is one of the top QBs on Long Island in that class. In 8 games he threw for 900 yards and 9 touchdowns and helped Huntington rebuild in a very difficult Suffolk County Division 2. His decision-making improved throughout his sophomore year and he made plenty of impressive throws that had great touch. He will be a very accurate passer for this 7v7 team with a lot of explosive weapons.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["606317"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":" In the fall, Cornett broke out onto the Long Island football scene. As a sophomore, he was one of the top players for an East Meadow team that went 7-1 in the regular season in Nassau Conference 1. Cornett played a big role at running back and especially at defensive back. We'll start on offense, as East Meadow is a very run-heavy team and they utilized Cornett's speed greatly. The Jets got Cornett into space and his speed and vision would allow him to record big runs as he was an elite athlete as just a sophomore. At defensive back, Cornett's footwork and physicality allowed him to thrive. He did a great job in man coverage and was also a solid tackler. In spring 7v7 tournaments, Cornett has been excellent in coverage and has proven to be an outstanding receiver despite his high school mainly running the football.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1142424"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Last but not least, it's [player_tooltip player_id='1142424' first='Andrew' last='Riggs'] from Commack. Riggs made a name for himself during his junior season and established himself as one of Long Island's top 2025 prospects. He's easily one of the best two-way players you'll see in the state. He had 7 interceptions on defense and caught 45 passes on offense where he racked up almost 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has great hips and instincts on the field. Riggs can make a play on the ball as well as anybody in Suffolk County and has a tenacious edge to him as a player. Look out for him to be one of the top safeties on Long Island, and a “lockdown” type of player in the 7v7 circuit.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65f9e9478681d"} /-->