10 prospects who caught coaches' eyes at LA NextGen 7v7

Many Louisiana-based 7-on-7 organizations wrapped up their seasons last weekend at Louisiana NextGen's state tournament in Hammond.   And Prep Redzone Louisiana has had the chance to pick the brain of a couple coaches on hand for some of their biggest takeaways from the event in terms of standouts and eye-catchers.   The response included some familiar names — both highly ranked players with consistent expectations to be among top performers and players who appear to be making their stock-raising cases this spring — and at least one brand-new one who drew high-level praise.   [player_tooltip player_id='1610246' first='Trey' last='Martin'] — 5-11, 185 RB/DB — Franklin Parish (2027)   The LSU running back target impressed coaches at both his future college position and at safety for the championship-winning Showboats. Said one coach: "Trey has strong hands — VERY strong hands. Multiple guys had great position and even tried to play through his hands. Nope. He is difficult to re-route and super quick on the option routes vs. linebackers. If they aren't inside-out on him, they don't have a prayer, and even then, he's fast enough to run away from anyone out there — especially a linebacker."   Gary Burney Jr. — 6-4, 200 WR — Parkway (2027)   One of the fastest-rising prospects in Louisiana this spring reportedly earned Offensive MVP honors with a ridiculous championship-sealing, one-handed catch in the back of the end zone that was apparently just the cherry on top of a great weekend overall for the Showboats. "Burney solo'ed up on a side a lot and absolutely cooked," one coach said. "They couldn't leave him one-on-one. He pulled coverage all weekend. His best route was an outside comeback or just 10-yard out. Restovich threw some great timed balls to him on those. He'd be out his break one or two steps, and that ball was there. And then if you tried to anticipate the out or comeback, he's gone deep. Had to have double-coverage, and then if he is, then just throw it up."   [player_tooltip player_id='1372176' first='Trey' last='McDaniel'] — 6-1, 165 DB/WR — Calvary Baptist (2028)   Martin wasn't the only two-way Trey who stood out for the Showboats. One of Prep Redzone Louisiana's highly ranked 2028 prospects had a superlative weekend on defense and some highlights on offense as well. "He had seven interceptions, four brought back for pick-sixes, and he caught multiple touchdowns on offense," a coach said. "He was the Defensive MVP of the tournament."   [player_tooltip player_id='1651155' first='Bryce' last='Restovich'] — 6-2, 185 QB — Loyola Prep (2027)   In addition to his aforementioned timing and chemistry with Burney, another coach pointed to the Showboats' passer as a top quarterback at whom more colleges should take a closer look in Louisiana's loaded 2027 class at the position. "Bryce is poised," he said. "He has the measurables. The ball came out before receivers were out of their breaks. He's confident and has the 'it' factor... Bryce can play G5."   Javontaye Dean — 6-2, 180 ATH — Green Oaks (2028)   The biggest revelation of the weekend may have been another Shreveport area athlete who has been under the radar, but may be a breakout candidate to watch moving forward. "The kid from Green Oaks is a FREAK," a coach said. "Maybe it's because he was 'new' to me, but I'm telling you he's hands down the most impressive kid I saw there."   [player_tooltip player_id='1372189' first='Kenric' last='Johnson Jr.'] — 5-9, 155 ATH — Riverside Academy (2028)   Another of the state's top 2028 playmakers is expected to take on more of a role at quarterback his upcoming junior season, but has continued to carry the momentum from an all-state sophomore season at his natural position at receiver right through the spring. "Boogie couldn't be covered at all," one coach said. "He had multiple touchdowns and put moves on defenders in space."   [player_tooltip player_id='739753' first='Landon' last='Johnson'] — 6-1, 175 DB/ATH — Madison Prep (2027)   The recent Louisiana Tech commitment has been a two-way standout on 7-on-7 fields his entire high school career, and he has appeared to be among the state's top playmakers on the circuit all spring of his final offseason: "He was locking down at both safety and cornerback and making several big plays at wide receiver."   Chris Ned — 6-1, 165 DB/ATH — Jennings (2027)   The two-way all-district performer this fall may be another under-recruited defensive back who could be a steal for the right college. Said one coach: "Ned had two pick-sixes and was just sticky in coverage."   [player_tooltip player_id='489183' first='Parker' last='Robinson'] — 6-2, 200 QB — Neville (2027)   and Josiah Morgan — 6-1, 195 WR — Ruston (2027)   A pair of District 2-5A rivals were another of the weekend's top quarterback-receiver tandems with multiple coaches mentioning Morgan, including one saying: "Parker threw really well for Academy. He had a big wide receiver that I was super impressed with. Parker and him seemed very in rhythm. Parker made some big throws where only he could get it, and he went and got it... He was super strong off the line and leaned into the defender and few times and used his body to create separation."

Many Louisiana-based 7-on-7 organizations wrapped up their seasons last weekend at Louisiana NextGen's state tournament in Hammond.