Spiegelman's OT7 starting 7

The inaugural OT7 tournament brought several of the nation’s best players from around the country to Las Vegas for a four-day competition. The teams in attendance were littered with future Saturday standouts. On3 was on hand evaluating all of the playmakers in attendance.

National recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman selected his starting seven on offense and defense from the event. For offense, it featured 1) quarterback 1) running back and 5) pass-catchers. For defense, it featured 3) cornerbacks 3) safeties and 2) nickels.

Offense

QB: Dante Moore

Moore was the On3 MVP to open the OT7 tournament in Vegas and was either the best – or amongst the best – in a star-studded event from start to finish. Moore’s C1 team cruised to the finals due mainly to Moore’s consistent high-level play. The five-star played with poise throughout the week. He has the ability to quickly diagnose defenses and makes excellent decisions with an absolutely live arm. Moore gets the ball out very quickly and is extremely sharp

Moore was efficient in taking what defenses were giving up and took calculated chances to move C1 downfield. More so, he edged out a handful of elite deserving quarterbacks that could’ve gotten the nod, namely five-star Nico Iamaleava, who was brilliant throughout the weekend, including an outstanding comeback on Championship Sunday, and Malachi Nelson, who was stellar engineering a star-studded South Florida Express squad to the championship.

RB: Rueben Owens

The 7-on-7 setting is an excellent platform for backs like Owens, the On3 Consensus’ No. 2-rated back, who is a workhorse for El Campo (Texas) High School. Owens amasses big numbers week in and week out, but he’s also a dynamic all-purpose back that’s sure-handed and also electric in the open field. Texas, Texas A&M and now TCU are all in play for the Lone Star State-based running bac,k who is set to officially visit Louisville next.

WR: Jurrion Dickey

On3’s Day 2 MVP was amongst the top playmakers every time he stepped onto the field for the Miami Immortals. Perhaps no wide receiver had a week quite like Dickey. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is a physical mismatch playing on the outside with speed to threaten downfield and superb ups, range and hands to bring down most passes in his direction. The Oregon pledge is a Sunday type of player.

WR: Brandon Inniss

The five-star Miami Gardens (Fla.) American Heritage wide receiver was the go-to target in crunch time on a talent-littered SFE team, and for good reason. Inniss has strong hands and is dynamic after the catch. He’s a playmaker in space and although he’s 6-foot, he’s proficient in the middle of the field and in contested-catch situations. Alabama made a giant move with Inniss after visiting last weekend and he’ll head back to Ohio State next. The Buckeyes remain the leader on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

TE: Ethan Davis

Davis saw his stock rise in a major way this offseason leading to a thrilling performance for Trillion Boys at OT7. The uber-athletic Tennessee commitment is a special athlete in a 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame and is shaping up to be another converted basketball player that can dominate down the seams and near the end zone. Davis was gliding downfield and snatched a few passes in mid-air with ease, and it seems as if he’s just scratching the surface.

WR: Bryson Rodgers

Rodgers, an On300 wide receiver committed to Ohio State, was among the consistent pass-catchers for the length of the event and narrowly got the nod over Ja’Kobi Lane, Jalen Brown and Ryan Wingo, to name a few. The Sunshine State standout was a major reason why 24K didn’t turn in a loss during pool play. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Rodgers provided a deep threat and a big target for his quarterback. He has rare size-speed combination with home-run potential.

WR: Dre’lon Miller

Miller, an On300 athlete out of East Texas, checks in at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds and has a similar build and skill-set to San Francisco 49ers stud Debo Samuel. The Silsbee (Texas) four-star is likely slotted to see action on offense and is not only built for contact, but is sound and incredibly smooth, not to mention he can accelerate in a hurry. The soon-to-be junior playmaker is coming off another visit to The Forty Acres, though the Aggies hold the edge on the RPM.

Defense

CB: Charles Lester

Lester had an argument to make starting seven on offense or defense, but the elite 2024 athlete from Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview was certainly in the conversation as one of the best defensive backs in attendance in a loaded field. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Lester glides up and down the field in coverage with ease and is able to consistently stick with receivers.  For 24K, Lester saw action playing receiver, where the speed, athleticism and natural playmaking abilities were readily on display. He’s undoubtedly a top-30 player in this class. The Tide is favored on the RPM.

CB: Desmond Ricks

Ricks, the On3 Consensus No. 2 player in the country in 2024, was again up to the challenge this week much as he has playing for the Miami Immortals throughout the spring. The five-star cornerback is long and wastes little movement. Ricks stepped up to the challenges of guarding elite pass-catchers during the tournament and came away with an impressive batting percentage and was rarely rattled, and continued to rise to the occasion as the week went on. Ricks is coming off a visit to LSU and Alabama leads the way on the RPM.

CB: Malik Muhammad

On3’s No. 2-rated corner was better and better as the week went on in Las Vegas and by Sunday. Muhammad played with a chip on his shoulder and stuck in the hips of receivers throughout the tournament. That led to some game-winning and game-changing interceptions on Championship Sunday to build off an already stellar resume from the event. Muhammad is coming off a stellar season on the track, has added muscle onto his frame and played at the highest level yet. Texas A&M holds the edge for the top-25 national recruit from Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff on the RPM.

S: KJ Bolden

Jefferson wasted no time making his presence felt during the tournament. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety has length, range and is a natural navigating the back end of a defense. The Peach State five-star can cover a ton of ground, with ease, flies around and always finds the football. The home-state Bulldogs are currently favored to keep Jefferson in-state on the RPM.

S: Daemon Fagan

The surplus of talent in the SFE secondary opened up opportunities for playmaking safeties like Fagan, who made a habit out of game-sealing interceptions during pool play and on Championship Sunday. The long 6-foot-3, 175-pound safety moves well and reacts even better, and can close in a hurry. He’s long with good range, and certainly showed his knack for big plays in Sin City. The Buckeyes hold a narrow advantage over N.C. State on the RPM.

DB: Branden Strozier

Strozier, a Clemson commitment, was a difference-maker on the back end for Newton’s C1 squad. The rare corner with length (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and the athleticism to match worked outside as well as in the slot on occasion, and regardless of where he lined up it yielded turnovers. Strozier has a great feel in the secondary and is natural in coverage.

DB: Kayin Lee

Lee, a top-100 recruit on On3, may just be scratching the surface of 6-foot, but despite a slighter build he’s aggressive at corner and is equipped with a skill-set fitting to play inside. Lee is aggressive and fearless with his hands and can go step-for-step with receivers with a good balance of physicality and finesse. He was sharp throughout the week for Hustle Inc. Ohio State is trending on the RPM for the one-time Georgia commitment.