PRZ National Championship Top 18U Performers Pt 1

<p>The 2025 Prep Redzone 7v7 National Championship took place in a fitting location—Canton, OH, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The event showcased talent from across the country, spanning divisions from 10U to 18U. I had the opportunity to closely observe several high-level teams in the 18U division, which concluded with 412 Elite claiming the championship after a hard-fought battle against Michigan Made. Below is the first installment in a multi-part series highlighting the top performers I had the chance to see in action.<br></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AveryHawkins/status/1916544962985967843 </div></figure>    <p>Strader delivered a consistently strong performance throughout the 2025 Prep Redzone National Championship. He made smart reads and got the ball out quickly. Like every player in the tournament, he made a few mistakes, but he demonstrated key leadership qualities by bouncing back without hesitation. Strader completed passes at all levels of the field, often threading the ball into tight windows. He showed solid quarterback footwork and threw with anticipation on timed routes. He took what the defense gave him and effectively distributed the ball without locking in on a single target. Strader clearly possesses the kind of talent typically seen at the highest levels of competition. He currently holds Division I offers from Sacramento State, Miami (OH), Central Michigan, Akron, and Youngstown State.</p>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1182158' first='Luke' last='Faler'] was another FBS-caliber quarterback in attendance at the Prep Redzone Nationals. He has a great feel for when to add zip or touch to his passes—an underrated but critical trait. Faler throws an accurate deep ball and accounted for multiple touchdown passes during the games I observed. His refined quarterback mechanics are a key indicator of his Division I potential. He was especially effective on seam routes and fades, consistently connecting on downfield throws throughout the tournament. While he currently holds just one FBS offer, his performance at Nationals suggests he's on track to receive more.</p>    <p>Armani Reid is an explosive and shifty playmaker after the catch. He scored a memorable touchdown by cutting across the field and making multiple defenders miss along the way. Reid also showcases excellent ball skills, including a highlight-worthy one-handed interception at the goal line. He's effective in man coverage, with fluid hips and impressive leaping ability. Offensively, he's a tough matchup in the slot and has the speed to be dangerous on deeper, five-step routes. On defense, he moves well and embraces one-on-one coverage. Armani has received Division I offers and most recently picked up scholarships from New Haven and Virginia University of Lynchburg.<br></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PrepRedzone/status/1916844702818619721 </div></figure>    <p>Nick was one of the most visibly talented players at the Prep Redzone event in Canton, OH, in my opinion. Standing at 6'5 and 220 pounds, his size is immediately impressive—especially considering he moves with the agility of a much smaller receiver. He has strong hands and a wide catch radius, consistently winning jump-ball situations in the red zone. Nick effectively uses his frame to shield off smaller defenders, particularly in high-pressure, contested situations. His recruiting profile has surged in recent months since joining the Ohio Players 7v7 organization. He currently holds 14 Division I offers from programs including Toledo, Northwestern, Cincinnati, Rutgers, and Louisville, among others.</p>    <p>Reddick proved to be a high-level defender, with one standout play coming to mind where he broke up a pass intended for a 6'7 wide receiver—an impressive display of timing and toughness. His natural defensive back instincts are clear, and he pairs them with sharp footwork and a quick, controlled break on the ball. He stays balanced within his frame and avoids overextending, always ready to make a play. I was especially impressed by Robert's competitiveness in coverage—he never gives up on a play and has the recovery speed to make up for any missteps. His ball skills and overall coverage ability earned him a spot in this National Championship breakdown. As one of the Flite Boys' biggest contributors, it's no surprise that Reddick holds multiple FBS scholarship offers, including from Power Four programs like West Virginia, Kansas, Purdue, and Illinois.</p>    <p>Gault was one of the top two-way players who stood out to me over the weekend—though he wasn't alone. He runs sharp routes and has the speed to stretch the field vertically. With reliable hands and a strong frame, he fits the mold of an effective outside receiver. On defense, he's a legitimate safety who plays with the quickness and agility of a smaller player, despite his 6'1, 195-pound frame. Gault has excellent fluidity on the back end, giving him the range to cover vertical threats. A fierce competitor, he gave everything he had until his team ultimately fell to the Flite Boys at Nationals. His ball skills and physicality allow him to match up well against larger receivers downfield too. Josiah currently holds scholarship offers from Toledo, Western Michigan, and Miami (OH).<br></p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ADam1kovangb/status/1916899447948128374 </div></figure>    <p>Watching [player_tooltip player_id='1543703' first='Adam' last='Kovangbandi'] compete was exciting—his energy is infectious and elevates those around him. He played with intensity on both sides of the ball, showing next-level quickness and elusiveness in space. Adam ran crisp routes and demonstrated strong ball skills to complement his athleticism. In one game, I watched him intercept a pass at cornerback and later score a touchdown as a wide receiver—an impressive display of versatility. He has straight-line speed, solid fundamentals as a defensive back, and isn't afraid to press at the line. He's also capable of playing both safety positions effectively. While Adam is drawing Division I interest, he's still waiting for a program to officially offer him.</p>    <p>If you're looking for a true sleeper, look no further than 6'7 TE/WR Benny Adams, who competed for Power 5 at the ‘25 Prep Redzone Nationals. He lined up both as an outside X receiver and in the Y-slot, showing off his versatility and natural ability throughout the weekend. Adams uses violent hands to release against smaller defensive backs and consistently positions himself to make plays over the top. He's a big, reliable target across the middle and proved nearly automatic on jump balls. Adams is slated to attend prep school, where he's expected to transition into a flex tight end—a role he's well-suited for at the Division I level.</p>    <p>Jamison Pelt is another sleeper—a true diamond in the rough. He runs crisp routes and has reliable hands. Throughout the weekend, he consistently created separation at the top of his routes and showed strong ability to release against press coverage. With the speed to beat cornerbacks downfield, Pelt proved to be a versatile threat. He was highly productive on Sunday, making plays all the way through to the championship game. I saw him come down with contested jump balls as well as secure catches on digs and post routes. If he's this effective in a 7-on-7 setting, I'd be excited to see what he can do in full pads. College programs should definitely keep an eye on him during the summer prospect camp circuit.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/landony2521/status/1916517329183162833 </div></figure>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1434414' first='Landon' last='Young'] was one of the toughest competitors I watched on Sunday. He never backed down from a challenge and consistently showcased his athleticism on both sides of the ball. Young made several catches at wide receiver and impressed in coverage while playing linebacker. While he's clearly a gifted all-around athlete, I was especially impressed by his poise and awareness at linebacker—dropping into coverage and competing fearlessly against top talent. His reliable hands were on display all weekend, highlighted by his key role in handing eventual tournament champions 412 Elite their only loss on Saturday. Landon has the type of skill set that should translate well at the college level.<br></p>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1158787' first='Jayden' last='Revis'] was another standout talent who made a strong impact over the weekend. As a slot receiver, he's dangerous after the catch and has the ability to turn short gains into explosive plays. He showcased next-level route running and consistent playmaking ability throughout the event. While I'm more accustomed to seeing him at cornerback, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance on offense. Revis has soft hands and consistently catches the ball away from his body. In the clip above, you can see his ability to win matchups and make tough catches in traffic. He currently holds FBS offers from Temple and Akron.</p>

The 2025 Prep Redzone 7v7 National Championship took place in a fitting location—Canton, OH, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The event showcased talent from across the country, spanning divisions from 10U to 18U. I had the opportunity to closely observe several high-level teams in the 18U division, which concluded with 412 Elite claiming the championship after a hard-fought battle against Michigan Made. Below is the first installment in a multi-part series highlighting the top performers I had the chance to see in action.