Stock up prospects from OT7
Last weekend saw hundreds of Power Five prospects and dozens of blue-chippers make their way to Las Vegas for Overtime’s OT7 7-on-7 league. On3 was on hand for all four days of action and got a good look at at the talent on hand. As is the case with any national event loaded with talent, several prospects turned in performances that exceeded expectations.
Various moving parts and several evaluation points that factor in to recruiting rankings. That is to say that every prospect in this group is not 100% guaranteed to rise in future rankings releases, although most will. With that said, here’s some notable “stock up” prospects from OT7.
Day 1 Top Performers | Day 2 Top Performers | Day 3 Top Performers | Overall Top Performers
ATH Mike Matthews, 2024
Mike Matthews had a revelatory showing at OT7, led by a huge opening game for his Hustle Inc. team on Saturday night and was named the On3 MVP of Day Three. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder showed off some of the best ball skills and contested catch ability among the receiver group, which featured an embarrassment of talent. Matthews has long arms and above-the-rim leaping ability along with high-level coordination. We also saw some quickness within his routes. Matthews is being recruited by college programs as a wide receiver and safety and says he doesn’t have a preference. Given the level of plays he made at wide receiver, the upside on offense is apparent. Matthews currently ranks as the No. 72 overall prospect in the 2024 On300. While that’s a lofty ranking, it may not be high enough based on what we saw at OT7. Clemson, Georgia and Notre Dame are in the mix for Matthews per his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
WR Jordan Ross, 2024
Jordan Ross had the best weekend of any 2024 pass-catcher not named Mike Matthews. The Garden Grove (Calif.) Pacifica receiver was the top target for Sound Mind Sound Body out of Detroit and made a bunch of big plays over the weekend. He showed some explosive movement skills and was able to separate vertically. We also saw Ross make some high-level plays on the ball. Ross was a go-to target during bracket play on Sunday and didn’t back down from some big-time matchups. The 6-foot, 175-pounder currently ranks as the No. 134 overall prospect and No. 16 wide receiver in the 2024 On300. Notre Dame, Washington and Washington State are among his offers.
WR Bryson Rodgers – Ohio State
On3 is already higher on Ohio State commit Bryson Rodgers than the rest of the industry, but the On300 prospect’s positive showing is still worth noting. We considered Rodgers as one of the 2023 cycle’s top route runners entering the event. While he lived up to those expectations, the Zephyrhills (Fla.) Wiregrass Ranch pass-catcher showed some encouraging playmaking ability after the catch, as well. Rodgers found the end zone often while playing for a 24K team that was among the better squads throughout pool play. He has a thinner frame and may not be as long as some other top receivers, but has a level of technicality that points to a high floor at the next level. There’s naturally less upward mobility the higher a prospect is ranked, but Rodgers deserves to see his On3 Consensus ranking rise after OT7.
WR Cayden Lee
Cayden Lee turned in a solid first three days at OT7, but elevated his play during the knockout rounds on Sunday. Lee was the top target for quarterback Dante Moore and Cam Netwon’s C1N team and drew the opposing team’s top corner. The highlight of Lee’s weekend came in the championship game, when he beat Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain deep for a touchdown. The three-star prospet showed a well-rounded skill set as a route-runner along with good vertical speed and reliable hands. South Carolina, Ole Miss and Oklahoma are in the mix for the Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove pass catcher according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
WR Ja’Kobi Lane
Ja’Kobi Lane has long been considered a top target on the 7-on-7 circuit, so while his performance at OT7 wasn’t necessarily surprising, it is notable. The 6-foot-5 target made a ton of plays on the ball while playing for Tucson Turf over the course of the weekend. Lane has a large catch radius and strong hands at the catch point. He also showed some encouraging movement skills both in the route and after catch phases. Lane ranks as the No. 71 wide receiver for On3 and at the No. 106 for the position in the On3 Consensus.
S Daemon Fagan
Daemon Fagan nearly made the Overall Top Performers list after coming down with several interceptions at OT7. Fagan had some key plays for the champion South Florida Express team and was part of a secondary that spurred the title run. The Fort Lauderdale American Heritage product was among the taller safeties on hand at 6-foot-3 and used his length to disrupt passing lanes. The compressed nature of 7-on-7 played to Fagan’s strengths. His range was amplified playing in goal line situations. The ball skills and instincts to make some critical plays in coverage stood out. Fagan ranks as the No. 224 overall prospect and No. 22 safety in the On300. His d a route and picked off Dante Moore during the championship game on Sunday. The 6-foot-3 safety’s On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine is split between Ohio State and NC State.
S Conrad Hussey – Penn State
Penn State commit Conrad Hussey was the top defender on a Defcon team that made some noise at OT7. Hussey projects as a safety long-term but was manning an outside corner spot and had some strong moments against top receivers. We saw Hussey lock horns with top 50 receiver Noah Rogers in coverage on Saturday and fare relatively well. The Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back made a bunch of plays on the ball and came down with several interceptions over the course of the weekend. His showing as a cover corner in the 7-on-7 setting is encouraging relative to his long-term projection.
WR Malik Elzy
Malik Elzy turned in as many highlight reel catches as any receiver over the course of the weekend. We saw the Chicago Simeon product flash high-point ability on several occasions. He was particularly dangerous on the goal line. Elzy is listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, but looks to be heavier. He’s a physical, coordinated receiver who can body defensive backs in contested situations. Illinois, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Cincinnati are in the mix per his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
WR Lamar Seymore – Miami
The South Florida Express wide receiver group was absolutely loaded with top pass-catchers like Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Makai Lemon, Joshisa Trader and Jeremiah Smith competing for targets. Despite that loaded group of blue-chip receivers, we saw Lamar Seymore make a number nice grabs in big spots on Sunday. Seymore was able to get on the same page with quarterback Malachi Nelson and showed some good route-running skills on the goal line.
RB Tovani Mizell, 2024
Tovani Mizell impressed with his receiving skills at OT7, coming down the the best catches we saw from a running back not named Rueben Owens. We saw the Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Newman product come down a fantastic leaping touchdown catch, finishing with a toe tap in the corner of the end zone on Thursday. It’s always good to see running back prospects with receiver-level ball skills and that looks to be the case with Mizell. The rising junior holds double-digit offers including tenders from Georgia, USC, Penn State, Oregon, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, among others.