PRZ National Championship Top 18U Performers Pt 3

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 third installment in a multi-part series highlighting the top performers I had the chance to see in action.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jaxonlong6/status/1916902307494551999 </div></figure>    Jaxon Long – Continuing the theme of standout two-way players, Jaxon Long was a key contributor on both sides of the ball. He looked formidable running routes and catching passes, with a solid catch radius and the speed to stretch the field. He's quick out of his breaks and can be a real problem for cornerbacks when given a free release. I watched him consistently win matchups against man coverage at Nationals. He also impressed on defense, playing safety for the Ohio Players. His hips are fluid, and he showed great explosiveness breaking off the hash in Cover 2. His leaping ability and ball skills were on full display in the secondary. Long holds offers from Air Force, Army, Penn, Youngstown State, Dartmouth, Columbia, and other Ivy League programs.    Tamarion La'fortune – I couldn't wait to highlight Tamarion La'fortune—he showed serious grit at Nationals. His footwork, break ability, and route recognition stood out, and he competed fearlessly. Whether in press or off-man coverage, his skills were solid. Tamarion was one of the top players in the game I watched, consistently stepping up in key moments. His size will continue to develop, but his competitive fire is already elite. I'd love to see how he performs in full pads after what I saw in Canton.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AdelspergerJosh/status/1917267891533107558 </div></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='1313962' first='Josh' last='Adelsperger'] – Josh is a quick-twitch athlete who's hard to get hands on in space. He's the kind of wide receiver you want to get the ball to early and let him work. He runs clean routes and isn't afraid to compete. Adelsperger has very sure hands, even in traffic, and made several tough catches in the games I watched. He's a clear mismatch for linebackers and a challenge even for specialized nickel defenders. Josh was a big contributor to the Ohio Players' success and is attracting plenty of Division I interest, though he hasn't received his first offer yet.    Parker Kingsbury (WR/DB, Noubel Catholic, 2027) – Kingsbury is already an impressive prospect at 6'2, 200 lbs, especially for the class of 2027. He was a two-way standout in the championship and throughout Sunday's games. Agile in coverage and athletic with the ball in his hands, he lined up both outside and inside, occasionally looking like a natural tight end. Parker's combination of size and athleticism makes him formidable in man coverage and dangerous as an offensive weapon.    Brandon C. Walton – Walton put together a strong performance in Canton. He displayed smooth footwork, fluid hips, and above-average ball skills. His 6'2 frame and long arms allow him to consistently jam receivers in press coverage. One standout play was a pick-six on a sail route where he broke on the ball quickly and secured the catch cleanly with his hands. Walton also looked polished in Cover 2 responsibilities, squatting in the flat with confidence. With an additional 10 pounds, he could potentially transition to safety. He holds Division I offers from Central Michigan, North Dakota State, and Kent State.    Colin Jefferson – Jefferson impressed on both offense and defense. He showed explosiveness breaking off the hash in Cover 2 and secured an interception over his shoulder with excellent body control. On offense, he ran precise routes and displayed reliable hands. His footwork and route recognition were consistent, and he maintained great balance through transitions. Colin's backpedal technique and pad level are also strong. He has one Division I offer from Eastern Kentucky.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MooreZykir/status/1916499971018203643 </div></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='855477' first='Zykir' last='Moore'] – I last saw Zykir at the PRZ Steel City 7v7, and he delivered again this weekend. He played linebacker at Nationals and stood out with his athleticism in coverage and ability to make plays on the ball. At 6'2, 215 lbs, he makes it tough to complete passes over the middle. Like many linebackers on this list, he can match up in man coverage against running backs and slot receivers. Moore was instrumental in his team's championship run and holds recent FBS offers from Liberty, Boston College, and NC State.    Larron Westmoreland (2027) – Still in the 2027 class, Westmoreland is already a 6'4 playmaker with serious upside. He was a versatile weapon, playing both WR and DB against Team Robinson. His natural release and quick twitch out of breaks were eye-opening. He used his height effectively on jump balls and showed smooth footwork and fluid backpedal—rare for someone his size. His matchup with CB Jarius Timberlake-Johnson was a highlight of the weekend. Larron holds FBS offers from Louisville, Kentucky, West Virginia, and East Carolina.    Camari Smith – Smith was a diamond in the rough at Nationals. He caught a game-winning jump ball with no time left to send his team to the semifinals—a play I won't forget. Camari proved to be both a downfield threat and a reliable possession receiver. He has quick twitch and uses his hands well to disengage at the line of scrimmage. As his team's go-to target all weekend, he delivered with production and playmaking. His leaping ability and knack for clutch moments left a lasting impression.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Hayesfawcett3/status/1914394686300856611 </div></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='900785' first='Henry' last='Ohlinger'] – Ohlinger is a compact, strong athlete with fluid hips and excellent man coverage skills against running backs and tight ends. One standout play was when he tracked a wheel route and broke up the pass—a testament to his awareness and athleticism. He also caught a 30–35-yard jump ball over a cornerback, showcasing his two-way versatility. His ability to consistently make plays at his size makes him a memorable prospect. Henry is committed to the Indiana Hoosiers.

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 third installment in a multi-part series highlighting the top performers I had the chance to see in action.