BRADENTON, Fla. – If you’re looking for skill players, Florida is a good place to start and one of the best events to showcase skill players in the state of Florida is the IMG Madden 7on7 Southeast Regional.
WR Jacob McCrary
The event showcases talent from every corner of the state with 16 teams competing in the two-day tournament. Things kicked off on Saturday at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, FL and right away a few players stepped up and emerged as some of the tournament’s best.
With a full day of work left to go, we take a look at the early standouts at each position.
Quarterback
Asiantii Woulard, Winter Park - At 6-4, 200 pounds, Woulard can make a strong case for the most physically imposing quarterback at Saturday’s event. He’s got a great frame and a strong arm to go with it.
Though he is still relatively new to the quarterback position, Woulard is in the midst of a steep incline. His passes were crisp and accurate even when not getting great help from his wide receivers.
A commitment to USF, Woulard looks to be a major steal for the Bulls.
Other Saturday standouts: Pete Dinovo, Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake; Akeem Jones Miami (Fla.) Carol City
All-purpose back
Vernon Hargreaves put on a show at cornerback.
Dontario Fowler, Northeast (2014) – There weren’t many running backs to really separate themselves on Saturday in a passing game setting but one player that continued to show flashes was Fowler. He comes in a much different packaging than his brother Dante Fowler who was a five-star Florida signee at DE in the 2012 class.
The younger Fowler is a smaller, jitter bug type of back. His hands can use some work but he is extremely quick, explosive and shows great change of direction and burst.
Other Saturday standouts: Brandon Powell, Deerfield Beach (2014)
Wide receiver
Jacob McCrary, Coral Reef (2014) - Jacob McCrary is a name to remember. He is quickly emerging as not just one of the top wide receivers in the state of Florida for the class of 2014 but one of the top wide receiver prospects in his entire class.
On Saturday, McCrary was getting the job done at wide receiver and defensive back, showing great fluidity, route-running and hands. McCrary has the complete package at the position and is already on the radar of several major programs.
Clemson was the first to offer the 2014 standout and he has since landed an offer from Kansas State as well.
Other Saturday standouts: Lamar Robbins, Southridge; Ronquavion Tarver, Glades Central (2014); Dominic Walker, Evans; Dejon Funderburk, Pensacola Washington;
Linebacker
Quinton Powell, Mainland - A commitment to Florida, Powell is exactly what you want a linebacker to look like. He is lean and rangy with explosive burst and he eats up space in pursuit. Powell has long arms and a muscular frame and even in a 7on7 setting has an ability to be extremely disruptive.
Due to his physical upside and his athleticism in space, Powell could be a prospect that sees his stock rise over the course of the offseason.
Defensive back
Vernon Hargreaves III, Wharton – The five-star associated with his name doesn’t come unwarranted. Hargreaves lived up to his billing on Saturday with three interceptions, great closing ability and a effective lock-down type afternoon on the right side of the field for his Team Tampa.
Though he doesn’t possess ideal height, Hargreaves does have elite instincts and a knack for attacking the football. His last step before a breakup or an interception is always his quickest and it allows him to bate quarterbacks into mistakes.
Other Saturday standouts: Reggie Wilkerson, North Marion; Leon McQuay III, Armwood; Keanu Neal, South Sumter; Esdras Simervil, Atlantic (2014); Jamal Carter, Southridge
- Barton Simmons
- National Recruiting Analyst - 247Sports