Top Performers from OT7: Day One
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Hundreds of Power Five prospects and dozens of blue-chippers from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 cycles are in Las Vegas this weekend for Overtime’s OT7 7-on-7 tournament. The event kicked off on Thursday night and will run through Sunday afternoon.
Thursday’s pool play action was missing some notable names due to travel issues. That group includes touted quarterbacks five-star Tennessee commit Nico Iamaleava, On300 signal caller Jaden Rashada, and 2024 four-star Jadyn Davis. Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Cormani McClain also had travel issues.
The action on Thursday tended to favor the offense and wide receivers in particular as many of the premier matchups are scheduled to place later in the weekend. We’re also working off an uneven and limited sample size as some teams played a few games while some other squads just played one.
With that said, here are On3’s top performers from the day, headlined by one of the 2023 cycle’s top signal callers.
On3 MVP: QB Dante Moore
Dante Moore had a sterling showing in his tournament opener. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder led Cam Newton’s C1N team to an easy victory while showing off advanced accuracy and quick processing. Moore is natural operating from the pocket and easily moved through his progressions. He has one of the quicker releases in the cycle and delivered the ball with accuracy and zip to all levels. We saw Moore get to his third read on a few occasions. He hit multiple receivers in stride for scores and long gains. The consistency on a throw to throw basis stood out. Notre Dame, LSU, Oregon Michigan and Miami are among those fighting for Moore per his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
2. QB Malachi Nelson – USC
Malachi Nelson alternated drives in his lone game for the South Florida Express, but moved the ball with ease on each opportunity. The Five-Star Plus+ signal caller wasted no time connecting with Carnell Tate on a long touchdown that was one of the better throws of the night. Nelson’s quick release and ability to layer his passes with touch and accuracy manifest in a quarterback who almost always plays well in the 7-on-7 setting.
3. WR Ja’Kobi Lane
We don’t have official stats, but if we did, there’s a good chance Ja’Kobi Lane would be the most productive wide receiver from day one. Lane found the end zone repeatedly while playing for Tucson Turf and did so against some very talented secondaries. At 6-foot-4, Lane has one of the larger catch radiuses on hand. He a mismatch in jump-ball situations with leaping ability and strong hands at the catch point. We also saw Lane show some change of direction in his route-running. The in-state Arizona State Sun Devils lead in Lanes On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
4. WR Jalen Brown
Jalen Brown had a strong first day in Las Vegas, nabbing a handful of touchdowns and impressive grabs. The 6-foot-1, 160-pounder is a deep threat on Friday nights, but showed off the ability to win in confined spaces that are prevalent in 7-on-7. Brown scored on at least three quick passes from 2025 quarterback Colin Hurley, making coordinated catches with his arms extended. The Miami Gulliver Prep product ranks as the No. 22 overall prospect in the On300. LSU, Georgia and Miami lead in Brown’s On3 Recruiting Prediction machine.
5. WR Jurrion Dickey – Oregon
On a per route basis, Jurrion Dickey made a strong case as the most impressive receiver on Thursday. Dickey rotated in for the Miami Immortals, but made an impact in limited targets. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder showed outstanding pace and change of direction within his routes and came down with every target that we saw, including an underthrown jump ball. The Oregon commit looks to have a complete skill set that translates to every setting – most importantly Friday nights. We’ll see if Dickey gets more targets with the new 7-on-7 team as the weekend rolls on, but he looked the part of a top wide receiver on Thursday. The San Jose Valley Christian standout ranks as the No. 35 overall prospect in the On300.
6. CB Charles Lester III, 2024
Charles Lester III was part of an impressive group of 2024 defensive backs for 24K, a team out of Florida. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder worked as an outside corner and came down with at least one interception that we saw. He was also solid in coverage overall. Lester rarely left the field for 24K, also working at wide receiver. He showed off his ball skills and playmaking ability on a catch-and-run that went for a two-point conversion. In-state programs Florida State, UCF, Florida and Miami are in the mix for the top 100 rising junior per his On3 Recruiting Machine.
7. WR Carnell Tate
Carnell Tate started Thursday off with a bang, quickly finding the end zone on a deep ball from Malachi Nelson. We also saw Tate flash what is some of the best contested catch skills on a jump ball in the end zone. The Chicago native’s highlights were as good as anyone’s on Thursday. He had one throw slip through his hands but still had an impressive showing in South Florida Express’s tournament opener. Tate ranks as the No. 17 overall prospect in the On300. Tennessee and Ohio State are the top two programs in the mix for his commitment according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
8. RB Tovanni Mizell, 2024
The 7-on-7 setting can prove to be illuminating when evaluating the receiving ability and ball skills of running back prospects. It’s always good to see top rushers catch the ball well in 7-on-7. While there were a few strong pass-catching backs playing on Thursday night, 2024 prospect Tovani Mizell made the most impressive grabs we saw. The Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Newman product had a fantastic leaping touchdown catch, finishing with a toe tap in the corner of the end zone. This wasn’t a one-off, as we saw Mizell come down with more nice catches throughout the day. Mizell holds double-digit offers including tenders from Georgia, USC, Penn State, Oregon, Texas A&M and Oklahoma to name a few.
9. WR Jordan Ross, 2024
Jordan Ross paired with Semaj Morgan to give Sound Mind Sound Body one of the more productive wide receiver duos on Thursday. The 6-foot, 175-pound Ross came down with a few eye-catching touchdown grabs, showing some explosive movements and ball skills. The On300 prospect was able to separate vertically and track the ball over his shoulder on a long touchdown. He later extended for a nice grab in the end zone during Sound Mind Sound Body’s second game.
10. S Jaylen Heyward, 2024
Jaylen Heyward lined up in the slot for 24K and largely locked down his area from what we saw on Thursday. The top 100 underclassman shut down gave up no space on underneath routes, limiting any attempts to dink and dunk down the field. Heyward’s speed is not in question as he consistently runs sub-11.0 second in the 100 meters. With that said, he showed off some reactive quickness when targeted underneath on Thursday.
Additional Notes
+ 2023 wide receiver Cayden Lee was a top target for Dante Moore and showed off separation skills in confined space. South Carolina, Ole Miss and Oklahoma are in the mix according to his On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
+ Michigan wide receiver commit Semaj Morgan made a number of nice plays. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder was effective in working to several areas of the field. He showed good burst off the line on vertical routes.
+ As noted above, we did not get to see several of the top corners tested a ton on Thursday. Still several had strong flashes. Ohio State commit Dijon Johnson had a nice pass break up while defending a back shoulder route. 2024 five-star Desmond Ricks was targeted very little in spots that we saw, but his coverage polish and movement skills were apparent. Alabama corner commit Jahlil Hurley was a surprise addition, playing for Trillion Boys. Hurley is among the longer corners in attendance and made a handful of plays on the ball.
+ Touted 2023 receiver Brandon Inniss was the most targeted receiver for Malachi Nelson and South Florida Express. Inniss did most of his damage on short, underneath routes and did a nice job turning upfield quickly for yards after the catch. He also came down with a touchdown off a tipped ball, showing concentration to get his feet down in bounds.
+ 2024 wide receiver DayDay Farmer had some strong moments in 24K’s lone game, including a game-sealing score towards the end of the game. Florida 2023 commit Tyree Patterson also came down with a leaping score for 24K.
+ There wasn’t a more physically impressive wide receiver on hand than 2024 prospect Ryan Wingo. The No. 14 overall prospect in the 2024 On300 has a big frame with plus length and is an elite athlete. Wingo’s burst immediately stands out – he effortlessly glides downfield. We saw Wingo come down with a touchdown early on and he would’ve been in the mix as a top performer had he come down with a few contested catch opportunities.
+ Top 50 running back prospect Rueben Owens showed off his pass-catching chops, looking natural lining up at receiver. The El Campo (Texas) High standout is a volume rusher on Friday nights, but has honed a skill set as a three-down back.
+ Bryce Underwood is a name to file away at quarterback in the 2025 cycle. The Belleville (Mich.) High rising sophomore turned in a strong day as the trigger man for Sound Mind Sound Body. Underwood made some impressive downfield throws and looks primed to build on a promising freshman season.
+ The Hustle Inc. secondary of Kayin Lee, Bryce Thornton, KJ Bolden flashed their talent against an overmatched opponent in game one, but Friday’s competition should serve as a better litmus test.