Benjamin Report: Crib Classic Seven-on-Seven Awards

Westchester, Fla. — The second annual Crib Classic Seven-on-Seven Tournament is quickly becoming a staple event in the summer in South Florida. Many of the area’s top football programs gathered at Christopher Columbus High School in Southwest Miami-Dade County.

Here are the players who put together strong performances.

Overall MVP – 2028 WR Tromone Issac Jr.

Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Hollywood, FL) took home the championship, and the upcoming sophomore wide receiver was unstoppable. Every time the Lions needed a play, Issac always seemed to make it. He has a remarkable ability to create separation while maintaining high concentration in catching the football. He scored two touchdowns in the final, which would ultimately be the difference.

Issac already has over ten Power Four offers, including Auburn, Miami, Georgia, Penn State, and Nebraska.

Quarterback MVP – 2029 Malik Leonard

Throwing Issac the football was Chaminade-Madonna dual-threat quarterback Malik Leonard. He effectively limited his mistakes and delivered the football with accuracy and velocity. Leonard was rarely timed out for sacks and hit his receivers with timely throws.

Quarterback Honorable Mentions – 2027 Zac Katz

Katz was clutch for most of the tournament, firing the football to his True North teammates. He would lose to his former team, Chaminade-Madonna, in the tournament, but it wasn’t before he helped to eliminate one of the tournament favorites, Miami Central, on the final play. Katz willed his team to victories.

2027 James Perrone

Perrone nearly helped Miami Southridge come home with the championship, falling to Chaminade-Madonna in the final. Perrone put all of his throws on display, helping the Spartans get to the final match. He threw many of his receivers open and fired lasers on both long and intermediate routes. Perrone seems to be improving with every opportunity.

Wide Receiver Honorable Mentions

2026 Denarius Gray

Gray has deceptive speed once he gets in the open field. He was consistent catching the football over the middle as well as down the sideline.

The Kentucky commit galloped to the end zone for the game-clinching score in the final and was often a mismatch for defenders. His long frame makes it difficult to defend, especially for jump balls in the end zone.

2028 Justin Barrera

The shifty slot from Atlantic Delray is a tough cover. The quick wide receiver gets open often and creates separation on nearly every snap. He is a player to watch for years to come in South Florida.

Tight End MVPs

2027 Parker Gervais

Physically imposing with his 6’5″ mid-250-pound frame. The Columbus tight end was a presence that any quarterback would love as a safety pass option. He is an automatic mismatch with his athleticism.

2027 Trae Proctor

The athletic tight end from Miami Norland continues to prove he’s one of the best at the position in South Florida. He glides open like a wide receiver and can leap for footballs over defenders with ease.

Defensive Back MVP

2026 Leonzay Merzius

The Western Kentucky commit stepped up to the challenge of covering most of the opposing team’s best receiver. He was physical but patient in timing out pass deflections for Chaminade.

Defensive Back Honorable Mention

2026 Dominic Turnbill

The lengthy corner was rarely tested using his range to bait quarterbacks into errant throws. His anticipation appears to be at a Power Four level, and his balance keeps him in contention for every throw.

2026 Jean Calixte

Calixte was impressive in the defensive backfield, often surveying the field for athletic plays on the ball. He also displayed command of his Southridge teammates in positioning them before the snap.

2026 Tyler Brown

Brown was a feisty corner who was often glued to the opposition’s top receiver. He had time deflections, which frequently kept Southridge in the game. Brown has tremendous awareness when the ball is airborne and often recovers if beaten.

2027 Jaylyn Jones

The Miami commit has great football instincts and was impressive for McArthur. Although he was not tested much, he made the most of his opportunities with several pass deflections.

2027 Tari Miller

Best Two-Way Player – 2026 Derrek Cooper

Cooper was excellent on both sides of the football, playing both running/slot and linebacker. He was able to move the chains on short receptions and was a threat to score in the red zone.

At linebacker, he locked down the middle of the field for Chaminade-Madonna and was rarely tested.