E7 United 7v7 Tryout: Top Performers and Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, despite an oppressively cold December night in Minnesota, dozens of high school athletes converged on the Brooklyn Park Sports Dome, coincidently where Sunday's <em>PrepRedzoneMN </em>Stock-Up Showcase is being held, for a night of 7v7 competition hosted by heavyweight <em>E7 United</em>. Represented primarily by NW suburban preps and with a heavy <em>Champlin Park </em>influence, <em>PrepRedzoneMN </em>was fortunate enough to be on-hand to scout the 7v7 tryout and identify its top performers and standouts. It's going to be a good season of 7v7 action in Minnesota! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em>Top Performers </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469057' first='Iggie' last='Cooper']</strong> (<em>Osseo</em>) 2025. WR. - One of the biggest names in attendance, <strong>Cooper </strong>was an immediate physical eye-catcher thanks to his filled-out 6'2, 200 lb. frame. Also sporting some long arms, <strong>Cooper </strong>was able to pluck the ball out of traffic and in contested catch situations, and he was quick out of his breaks and generally strong through contact. Did a good job of creating separation in his releases and was overall bigger, faster, and stronger than the competition. Fresh off his first DII offer from CSP and also reports UW-Stout and Augsburg offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amir Carpenter</strong> <em>(Champlin Park</em>) 2025. WR. - Another one of the more physically impressive prospects in attendance, <strong>Carpenter</strong> was tall, long, and fluid changing direction and as a route runner. He also displayed the top-end speed to beat DBs and defenses vertically. Was one of the more consistent route runners and 1v1 winners throughout the cold night of competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='234871' first='Dalon' last='Gurley'] </strong>(<em>Cooper</em>) 2025. RB/WR. - In my opinion, <strong>Gurley </strong>was the biggest sleeper of the night. Coming out of the talent factory that is <em>Robbinsdale Cooper</em>, <strong>Gurley</strong> had quick feet and knew how to use them, creating separation at the top of the route and generally keeping defenders guessing as to where he was working to cut. The 5'8 standout also showed good body control when going up to play the ball in the air and was a dynamic offensive weapon with impressive twitch and athleticism. I also saw him burn one of the fastest defenders in the building on a wheel route to show off some top-end speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633448' first='Tristen' last='Chenoweth']</strong> (<em>Andover</em>) 2027. WR. - A 6'2, 170 lb. sophomore who the <em>E7United </em>coaches were very high on, <strong>Chenoweth</strong> - if he plays in pads like he does unpadded - is a name I think our readers should be aware of in the 2027 WR class. A tall, long 6'2, 170 with a ton of room to fill in, <strong>Chenoweth</strong> had one of the most impressive plays of the evening, climbing the ladder and high-pointing a football right over a helpless DB's head while seeming to float through the air with impressive ease. The body control, bounce, and 50/50 ball prowess, not to mention his top-end speed, has him very much on my radar this offseason and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='551299' first='Aaron' last='Briggs']</strong> (<em>Champlin Park</em>) 2025. DB. - One of the best unsigned CBs in Minnesota, <strong>Briggs </strong>showed off his 4.4 speed that we saw at this past summer's UW-River Falls Mega Camp, easily staying on top of speedy WRs in either press or off-man coverage. A muscular and filled-out 5'9, 170 lbs., <strong>Briggs</strong> vast varsity experience made him comfortable and confident in 1v1 coverage on an island no matter he was lined up against. The kid is a gamer, and he also showed good technique in pass coverage and quick feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antonio Ferguson</strong> (<em>Cooper</em>) 2027. DB. - Great showing from sophomore <strong>Ferguson </strong>as a free safety. This kid had range in pass coverage and was able to make plays sideline to sideline as a high safety, especially when defending his half of the field in Cover 2. As a MOF defender, <strong>Ferguson</strong> also made a couple great breaks on the football thanks to instincts, quickness out of his breaks, and ball skills. Soft hands, aggressive in pass coverage, and good speed, <strong>Ferguson </strong>was all over the field on Wednesday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1523144' first='Ashton' last='Harris']</strong> (<em>Cooper</em>) 2027. DB. - Another impressive athlete out of <em>Robbinsdale Cooper</em>, <strong>Harris </strong>had a good showing as a cornerback and was aggressive in press-man and when contesting for the ball. <strong>Harris </strong>was quick, long, and didn't mind playing with physicality. I liked his frame, play style, and tool kit as a cornerback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wes Kranz</strong> (<em>Osseo</em>) 2026. QB. - In my mind, <strong>Kranz</strong> was the best QB of the evening. Good size, live arm, and had some strong reps throughout the night throwing a variety of different routes. <strong>Kranz</strong> could put noticeable zip on the ball, throwing a couple of completions on a rope through tight coverage, and was accurate throwing to all three levels of the field. Also had a loose, comfortable demeanor and was having a fun time out there, leading to a strong showing from the junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Erick Gutierrez </strong>(<em>Brooklyn Center) </em>2026. WR. - A big-bodied, filled-out pass-catcher from<em> Brooklyn Center High School</em>, <strong>Gutierrez </strong>had some strong reps throughout the team portion of the tryout and was a deep threat who could break his routes off well. He also showed good hands and had solid command of the route tree. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1558060' first='Jerome' last='Gregory']</strong> (<em>Park Center</em>) 2026. DB. - A versatile defensive back who was able to play both CB and safety, <strong>Gregory </strong>was an athletic defensive back who was smooth out of his breaks. Had some good reps throughout the night and was tall and long with noticeable room to fill in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Milton Blamo </strong>(<em>Champlin Park</em>) 2025. - One of the best press corners in attendance, <strong>Blamo</strong> was productive in pass coverage and pulled off one of the best INTs of the night on a short route in man coverage. <strong>Blamo</strong> had noticeable COD ability, was physical and used good timing in his jam, and was comfortable and confident on an island. Nice showing from the unsigned senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->