While so many football fans try to find negatives with the off-season “all-star” 7-on-7 teams, the fact remains that having the opportunity to see some of the elite prospects perform is worth the price of admission.
This past weekend, some of the best high school skilled prospects in the nation flocked to Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale for the South Florida Battle event.
From California, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Alabama, North Carolina and just about every corner of the nation headed south to not only enjoy the great weather but see some of the prospects that fan websites and recruiting services have been talking about over the past year.
While it is NOT football, it is skill and it does showcase athletes who can run, throw, catch and defend.
The 7-on-7 off-season events have morphed into a billion-dollar business with advertisers and sponsors making these mega events possible with destinations all over the country providing a forum for some impressive prospects.
While Battle has long been at the head of the class in making these events possible, so has Pylon and several other groups who bring all this talent – high school and middle school – together to showcase the present and the future.
These events have become so popular and important that even on a huge weekend for college junior days nationwide, coaches kept their eye on players and teams – knowing that these young men will be recruits that will be a part of turning their programs around soon.
RAW MIAMI STACKED WITH ELITE PROSPECTS
While Jose Duasso and his Raw Miami team didn’t bring home the title this past weekend, you can guarantee that this is a team that you will hear plenty about this spring.
Loaded with gifted players from Florida and in many areas of the country. These athletes are being pursued by major colleges from coast-to-coast and they did not disappoint.
Among the offensive prospects this team has in the 2025 (rising senior) class includes Anjuan “Ace” Coleman (WR, Miami Central), Deion Deblanc (WR, Houston North Shore), Santonyo Isaac (WR, Tampa Bay Tech), under-the-radar Jared Lockhart (QB, Charlotte, Porter Ridge, North Carolina), Teriq Mallory (WR, Cheshire Academy, Connecticut), Cortez Mills (WR, Homestead), Nae’shaun Montgomery (WR, Miami Central), Khaleal Sterling (WR, Miami Central), King Walker (WR, Miami Central), Kenny Williams (WR, Miami Gulliver Prep) and Tampa Bay Tech’s nationally rated receiver Dallas Wilson.
Class of 2026 athlete Aaron Gregory (Douglasville, Georgia) and rising 2027 quarterback standout quarterback Zac Katz (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).
THE DEFENSE IS ALSO STACKED WITH QUALITY
As potent as the offense will be this off-season, Raw Miami’s defense is also impressive.
Leading the way in the Class of 2025 on defense are Anquon Fegans (S, Alabaster Thompson, Alabama), Chris McCorkle (CB, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney), Herlin Perry Jr. (CB, Providence LaSalle Academy, Rhode Island), Major Preston Jr. (CB, Bradenton IMG Academy), and Kelly Sejour Jr. (CB, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna).
There are also Sekou Smith (S, Miami Central), Rakeem Stroud (CB, Tampa Bay Tech), Hylton “Drake” Stubbs (S, Jacksonville Mandarin), Amari Wallace (S, Miami Central), and Lakeland safety Keon Young.
Class of 2026 players who are already making an impact feature FSU commit Darryl “Tre” Bell (Athlete, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman), Jireh Edwards (S, Baltimore St. Frances Academy, Maryland), Jvari Flowers (CB, Miami Northwestern), and Jaelen Waters (CB, Seffner Armwood).
CAM NEWTON (C1N), LUKE NICKEL WIN IT ALL
Among the prospects everyone came to see included University of Miami 2025 quarterback commit Luke Nickel from Milton, Georgia, who was one of the best at the event as he played for Cam Newton’s (C1N) team, taking home the title in this prestigious weekend event.
Nickel, who was impressive during the two days, even received some valuable pointers from the one-time collegiate and NFL star.
FUTURE STARS SHINE
While south Florida is spoiled with all the talent that we see throughout the course of a year, there were some elite prospects that had even the most partial Miami-Dade and Broward football player, coach and fan shaking their collective heads with all the talent on display.
One of the top receivers in the country and LSU commit Dakorien Moore (Duncanville, Texas), Florida’s No. 1 player for the 2024 season D.J. Pickett (Zephyrhills), receivers Kaliq Lockett, Georgia linebacker commit Jadon Perlotte, fellow linebacker Noah Mikhail (LaVerne Bonita, California), receiver Jaime Ffrench (Jacksonville Mandarin), safety Trey McNutt (Shaker Height, Ohio) and tight ends Nate Roberts (Washington, Oklahoma), Linkon Cure (Goodland, Kansas), Kiotti Armstrong (Jasper, Texas) and Da'Saahn Brame (Derby, Kansas).
Quarterbacks Husan Longstreet (Corona Centennial, California), Antwann Hill Jr. (Warner Robbins, Houston County, Georgia), Texas commit K.J. Lacey (Saraland, Alabama), Jackson Kollock (Laguna, California) and Florida State commit Tramell Jones Jr. (Jacksonville Mandarin) were on hand.
So was Florida’s No. 1 Class of 2026 receiver Jabari Brady (Chaminade-Madonna) amongst so many others who were on hand.
Joining Newton’s team were 4th Quarter Mentality, 24K, Bootleggers, California Power, Certified Dawgs, Crab5, Young Kings, Defcon, Fast Houston, Ground Zero, Hard Knocks, KT Preps, Miami Immortals, NPA, Premium, Sound Mind Sound Body, South Florida Express, Team Flex, Team Tampa, Texas Threat, Trillion Boys and Tucson Turf and Literally Battle.
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For the past 54 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..