Some Big Time Prospects Show Out In Dallas 7v7, Both For Now And The Future
DESOTO, TX – I spent about 18 hours or so in the sun out in the Dallas area this past weekend watching one of the biggest 7v7 events in the nation, the TrueBuzz 7v7 Dallas Invitational, which invited just north of 50 teams from 12 different states.
95% of the athletes on the teams were in the classes of 2022 and 2023, plenty of which are already established in their recruiting, holding offers, some even from Oklahoma State, but there were also plenty of guys who are still building resumes and getting tape to be recruited from.
As I was watching Ollie Gordon, Jordan Crook, and Garret Rangel as well as some guys we have offered, I was also watching for guys who have not had as much exposure or are building their recruitments.
Here are some names I came across this weekend that impressed:
Deric English - WR - 2023 - 6’4 210 - Saguaro (AZ)
English was one of the most impressive wide receivers I came across this weekend by far. Playing on a not very known Arizona team, English and his teammates were under the radar until playing some of the top teams in the tournament and showing out. At 6’4 210, he has a great frame and could get even bigger. He is a threat to go up and get it over any defender and flashed some strong hands to go along with it. As a bigger receiver, sometime movement or flexibility can be hindered but English showed no signs of this and could contort his body mid-air to adjust to the ball. Also has tested as a 4.6 guy, which will get better with time. He currently holds six offers, four power 5.
Robert Fitzgerald - DB - 2022 - 6’0 195 - Dallas Jesuit (TX)
Fitzgerald was the only defender that kept up with Ollie Gordon in any form or fashion. He has a mentality about him being an ultra-competitor and has a physical play style that plays with it. He showed good coverage skills and good recovery speed. On film, Fitzgerald is a violent hitter and shows great speed in pursuit. He is very instinctual in feeling out plays and shows a good IQ in diagnosing plays and movements of the offense. He holds 19 offers, plenty of which are from the service academies and Ivy league programs, which just shows his level of academics. Tested off the charts a few weeks ago with a verified 4.5 and 124in broad jump.
Duncan Parham - LB/DE - 2022 - 6’4 220 - Norman North (OK)
Currently playing linebacker for Norman North and Sooner7, he looked good, but I think defensive end is in the future for Parham. I think his power, body, and pass rush ability would allow him to dominate with his hand in the dirt. He played much of his junior season with a club on his hand and he still blew people up behind the line and even some made plays on balls in the air. I see Trace Ford-esque abilities from him with his size and skillset, being able to drop into coverage from the line. He holds nine offers, mainly from the Ivy leagues and service academies. I believe an offer for defensive line could come from Oklahoma State and I believe it would be that would be hard for Parham to pass on.
Camden Brown - WR - 2022 - 6’4 205 - St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
Brown was noticeable from across the field purely because of his size and when you start watching, you can see it’s not put to waste. He is a big play guy and used his size and length to just dominate from above. He was extremely impressive to watch running routes because his quickness was next level and allows him to be a vertical threat, getting on top of defenses almost instantly. He was very shifty for a bigger target. Holds nine offers, five power 5, but will pick up some more attention going into his senior season. Plays for Miami Immortals, who won the tournament thanks to their elite receiver play.
Matthew Klopfenstein - TE - 2023 - 6’5 230 - Horizon (AZ)
One of the top tight end prospects I saw this week, Klopfenstein showed some impressive athleticism for his size to go along with some very strong hands. He does not have much film yet, only playing in five games due to COVID rules in Arizona for high school sports. Arizona and Michigan State have offered to this point and more will follow suit when he gets some more film. Going against some of the top defenses at the tournament, Klopfenstein showed some fiery attitude and polished skills. Will be big 2023 tight end prospect.
Kaden Zordani - QB - 2023 - 6’3 200 - Shadow Ridge (AZ)
The most accurate quarterback I saw all weekend, Zordani came into this weekend with no attention or recruiting movement in his direction but performances like this one will get things kicked off. As a sophomore, he was not able to get much film with limited games and an older guy ahead of him, but he will be the guy moving forward for Shadow Ridge and should be a name to watch. He showed excellent velocity matched with great touch on a variety of throws, both short and deep. At 6’3 he has a good frame and will fill out in the weight room. I have a feeling he will be a guy that pops with offers once he gets a handful of games under his belt as a junior.
De’Carlo Donaldson - WR/TE - 2022 - 6’3 215 - Gulliver Prep (FL)
The Miami Immortals wide receiver group was the most talented of any team there and Donaldson was a big reason. He is a physically imposing body that just does not allow defensive backs to get up to the ball with him. He has a thick, strong body but showed good routes and some impressive separation skills. If he gets any bigger or puts on some more muscle, I could see some transitioning him to tight end, using his size on the end of the line. Donaldson as a tight end would be a mismatch nightmare with guys that can’t move like he can. Holds six offers, including Florida State, Miami, and Ole Miss.
Adam Moore Jr. - WR - 2023 - 6’2 210 - Booker T. Washington (FL)
The second of the Immortals receiver trio was Moore. Like Donaldson, he is already developed with size and has learned to use his body to win battles. He had strong hands and came down with almost anything that entered his air space. He holds 13 offers, including Miami, Florida State, Penn State and others. A lot of times, South Florida guys rarely leave the state, but I could see Moore and some of the other Immortals guys leaving the state for the right situation.
Demichael Porter - DB - 2023 - 6’0 170 - Desoto (TX)
I have been following Porter for about a year now and his skills and size are really starting to show. Desoto has had a long line of defensive back talent and Porter is another one to add to the list. He is a long athletic guy in the back of the defense and showed great instincts in coverage. He always seemed like he was in the right place at the right time, coming up with multiple interceptions and pass breakups in the first three games of the tournament. He only holds one offer right now in Kansas. The pedigree of Desoto and his size will get him noticed but his skills and intangibles will get him more offers. Once he gets some more film under his belt, I believe he will be a certified power 5 guy.
Steele Wasel - QB - 2023 - 6’4 215 - Choctaw (OK)
This was the best I’ve ever seen the rising junior. He has been the guy at Choctaw for two seasons now and will start to pick up some recruiting attention as he gets a little older and gets around on some visits eventually. His grandfather played at Oklahoma State back in the day so there is certainly a connection as well as Choctaw not being much of a drive to Stillwater. He has an energetic and powerful presence and people are attracted to it. Wasel is an easy safe bet for top quarterback in Oklahoma for the 2023 class. Does not hold any offers yet but he when the first one comes, they will come flooding in.
Korbyn Green - DB - 2022 - 6’1 170 - Owasso (OK)
The former Booker T. Washington cornerback transferred to Owasso this offseason and he is showing why he will be a star in their defense, one that is already talented. He locked down his side of the field just about the entire tournament, forcing teams to not even test him. He has good size at 6’1 and once he gets in the weight room and puts on some weight, he will be a forced to be reckoned with. He does not hold any offers right now but playing for Owasso will certainly help with that and with people already watching the Choctaw defense for teammate Desean Brown, Green’s success will pop on film.
Jaydan Hardy - DB - 2024 - 6’0 170 - Lewisville (TX)
Without a doubt, Hardy will be one of the best defensive backs in the class of 2024. He is arguably already the best in Texas for his class. Only a freshman, Hardy is already physically developed beyond his age as well as a far better football IQ than nearly all prospects his age. He has shown good coverage skills and physicality about him that makes him easy to notice in any setting. He holds two offers from Mississippi State and Illinois State and if I were the Oklahoma State staff, I would seriously consider sending one out early. This is going to be a national prospect, getting there early may prove very beneficial.
Caimon Mathis - DB - 2023 - 5’11 160 - Desoto
The son of Desoto’s head coach is starting to shape into a power five prospect, adding another one for Desoto. Hitting a growth spurt recently, Caimon now has the size to go along with his intelligence. At 5’11, I would expect him to grow quite a bit more, only adding to his abilities. He has also gained a confidence about him that allows him to play with a bit of an edge to him. Desoto is a pipeline to Stillwater so if Mathis continues to develop, I think an offer would be a smart move.