Strike 7-on-7 recap and top performers

On Saturday, over 20 teams from around south Florida took over Cypress Park in Coral Springs to take part in the Strike Athletics 7-on-7.

 On four fields of play, teams and players alike got the chance to improve on everything from their route-running, play-calling, and everything in between. I will highlight some of the top performers in this post. Unfortunately, lightning cut the day so short so there was not a new champion, however, you could have made a case for any of the final eight teams to win the tournament. 

 Reminder: I only cover Broward and Miami-Dade.

 Class of 2015 top performers: 

2015 Hollywood Hills WR Edward Aldred: Aldred, who is currently waiting for his first offer is physically imposing. Standing in at 6-foot-4, Aldred easily can go up and get the ball. Going up and getting the ball out of the air is easy for him. He can beat you across the middle of the field or can go up and make a play in the end zone if need be. This is a player who is definitely in need of his first offer. 

2015 American Heritage S Tyler Gordon: This is the first time I got to watch Gordon play, but with two interceptions in a crucial pool play game, and another in a bracket play game against Carol City, Gordon exploded onto the scene. His energy and swagger that he brought to the field helped lead his team to some big wins. Gordon has nice instincts and is not afraid to go up and make a play on the ball.

 

2015 Booker T. Washington WR Vaquan Smalls: Smalls, who stands in around 6-foot-2, has good speed and reaches the ball at its highest point like a good receiver should. His cuts on his routes are great for separating himself from opposing defensive backs. He looks the ball in well and has soft hands. Smalls will make some college program happy in the near future.

2015 Carol City DB Rashad Fenton: Fenton can play cornerback if his team needs him to, but at the collegiate level, Fenton will play free safety. His strengths are his rangy play, quick instincts, and great vertical. Fenton says his biggest offers include, South Carolina, UCF, and Miami. Fenton also added that he would like to commit before the season starts so he can focus on helping his team out and not be worried about the pressures of recruiting.

2015 Westminster Christian RB Jordan Cronkrite: The current Miami Hurricanes commit lined up at wide receiver and played some safety throughout the day. Cronkrite displayed a great burst off the line and fantastic speed. Linebackers and defensive backs were no match for Cronkirte as he was juking and cutting all over the field. Cronkrite is already built like a college running back and will compete for playing time very quickly in Coral Gables.

Class of 2016 top performers:

2016 Coconut Creek WR Binjimen Victor: Another 6-foot-4 stud out of Broward county right here. Victor just concluded a large college tour with his coaches and teammates and was picking up new offers from the likes of Auburn, Tennessee, etc. Victor carried that success into the Strike 7-on-7 and could not be locked down by any defensive back he faced. Jump ball? No problem. Post route in the middle of the field? Easy catch. Five yards and out? Victor was catching every thing in his area code. He will be a top level national recruit come National Signing Day 2016.

2016 Coconut Creek CB Trayvon Mullen: Mullen also went on that college tour with his Coconut Creek teammates like Victor did and also was dominating the competiton on Saturday. The trend of big corners is here to stay, no doubt about that. Mullen, who stands in at 6-foot-2, has good hips, instincts and is physical. However, the cornerbacks were not allowed to press so we did not get to see that element of Mullen's game but just about everything that came his way was batted down or intercepted thanks to Mullen's good height and vertical leap.

2016 Carol City QB Stephen "Buckshot" Calvert: I know I talk about this top-flight prospect a lot, but what Calvert did on Saturday was very impressive. Calvert picked apart Booker T Washington's defense while leading his team to a 20-18 win in pool play. Calvert did what most team's for some reason do no understand. You can only beat the Tornadoes with quick short slants and passes to the flats. Calvert engineered three straight drives to lead the Chiefs to a big victory and overall number one seed for bracket play.

Class of 2017 top performers:

2017 Coconut Creek WR Emmanuel Greene: Imagine the nastiest juke you've ever seen. Now imagine three of those on one play! In his first game of the morning, Greene embarrassed three defenders and made them look silly as they watched Greene trot into the end zone. Greene has real nice soft hands and plays big for his 5-foot-9 frame. A lot of schools have offered Greene early on in his recruiting process, and many more will also throw their hat in the ring.

2017 Miami Northwestern WR Ben Garland: Garland, who starred on junior varsity during his freshman year, was one of the most productive receivers at the whole tournament. Garland stands in aat 6-foot-3 and still has a lot of weight he could put on his young frame. Garland was beating teams a variety of ways but mainly across the middle of the field. Garland would "box-out" opposing defensive backs like a basketball player and would go up and make a play. Soon to be a star.

Other top performers: 2016 Coral Springs Charter WR Calvin Jackson Jr., 2016 Booker T. Washington WR Darius Scott, 2015 Westminster Christian DB Tobias Moss, 2015 Coral Springs Charter WR Garrison Swain, 2016 Coconut Creek RB James Charles, 2016 American Heritage LB Bradley Clement.