Oregon's MVP Elite program showcases 2027, 2028, 2029 stars

MVP Elite is one of the state's top 7-on-7 programs, but its athletes don't always get the same recognition as prospects in the Portland Metro Area.   With so much media attention on the teams in and around Portland, the top prospects from Salem, Eugene, Bend/Redmond and Medford sometimes get lost in the shuffle.   But there's a lot of talent around the state.   MVP Elite coach Matt Quinn joined Prep Redzone to discuss some of the top young players in his program.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/oregons-mvp-elite-2026-class-full-of-sleepers-breakouts/">Part 1 - MVP Elite's class of 2026 full of sleepers, late breakouts</a>   MVP Elite Class of 2027   LB Kawai Chamberlin, Willamette; @KawaiChamberl1n - “One of the top recruits in the state, Kawai has shown why this spring on the 7-on-7 circuit and at camps. Great coverage skills, but he really pops off the film once the pads come on. Kawai is moving to Willamette for his junior season. Has multiple FBS offers - with Boise State being the latest.”    WR [player_tooltip player_id='1358906' first='Sterling' last='Holland'], Crescent Valley -  “Sterling has great size and ball skills. Will be looked to carry the wide receiver load at Crescent Valley this season. Had a solid sophomore campaign and a very good 7-on season. Sterling is a three-sport athlete, but excels on the football field.”    OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='937281' first='Tripp' last='Johansen'], Willamette; @Trippjohansen63 - "Tripp picked up his first offer this spring from Idaho. A relentless pass-rusher that is as strong as any lineman in the state. After playing a smaller role last year at Sheldon. He is making the move to Willamette. With Tripp and [Oregon Ducks commit] [player_tooltip player_id='739439' first='Tony' last='Cumberland'], the Willamette D-line will be a force.”    ATH Aiden Navarro, Pleasant Hill - “Aiden is a two-way standout at Pleasant Hill. Took on much better competition on the 7-on-7 circuit and showed that he is more than capable of hanging with them. Looking forward to his junior season and seeing his progress.”    MVP Elite Class of 2028   QB [player_tooltip player_id='904208' first='Zeke' last='Thomas'], Willamette; @Zekeymanjames - “The top recruit [so far] in Oregon for 2028. Zeke broke pretty much every Oregon high school passing record for freshmen last season at Crescent Valley. Zeke continued to showcase his skills during the spring, as he was consistently one of the top QB's at any tournament we went to. Had a fantastic camp season and picked up a Sacramento St offer this spring. Will be moving to the 6A level at Willamette HS this season. Also one of the top baseball prospects in Oregon.”    WR [player_tooltip player_id='1609788' first='Knox' last='Smith']; Willamette; @KnoxSmith28 - “Knox is one of the purest route runners in Oregon regardless of class. He has grown over the last year and is at 6-foot-3 now. Great hands, great routes and doesn't back down. Had a solid freshman varsity year at Crescent Valley last year and will look to add on that production this season at Willamette. Has a close friendship and bond with Zeke that helps them in the passing game wherever they are. Has qualities similar to Jack Foley.”    WR/CB [player_tooltip player_id='1609776' first='Tevin' last='Candelario']; Willamette; @TCandelario2028 - “One of the more unknown kids as he played freshman ball at Willamette last year. Was the top skill guy on their freshman team and has worked hard to position himself to play significant minutes at both corner and WR on varsity this season. During 7on7 season, locked down one side of the field at corner against some of the best competition in the Pacific Northwest.”    ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1609774' first='Bentlee' last='Davenport']; Thurston; @BentleeD01 - "Smaller in stature, but is a tough football player. Has tremendous quickness and route understanding. Should play a part for Thurston on both sides of the ball this year.”    [player_tooltip player_id='1609799' first='Brennan' last='Christian']; Willamette; @Brennan_chr - Started multiple varsity games last season as a freshman at Willamette. Great pass-rusher with a quick first step. Looks to add more depth to the Willamette defensive line this season.”    MVP Elite Class of 2029   WR Jett Wong, Sheldon; @cantguardjettt - “Small but quick wide receiver with very good route understanding. Gets open all the time and makes plays. Also plays corner and despite most teams feeling they could put bigger WR's on him, he still made plays. Has a chance to be an early impact player at Sheldon.”    ATH Zaire McCrae; Willamette; @MccraeZaire - “Big and strong fluid safety. Has a feel for the game at the safety position. Also is a very good wide receiver. Will need to play quarterback at Willamette as a freshman, but look out for him in the coming years at safety and wide receiver.”    DB Traeveon Harris; @Traeveon_Harris - Outstanding two-way player. But excels at corner. Great body positioning and read on the ball. Good overall athlete that should continue to develop into one of the better defensive backs in the state.”    ATH Kadryn Nettles, Willamette; @Kadryn_Nettles - “Great slot receiver. Understands the game and is able to read the defense to get open. Reliable hands and great speed.”   OL/DL Kobe Nettles; Thurston - "Big strong lineman at Thurston. For his size has incredibly quick feet. Will be a top lineman at Thurston for years to come.”    OL/DL Deegan Lahmann; @DeeganLahmann - “Hard working OL/DL kid. Plays center and defensive tackle. Big and strong and uses his strength well. Constantly working on his craft to get better.”

MVP Elite is one of the state's top 7-on-7 programs, but its athletes don't always get the same recognition as prospects in the Portland Metro Area.