NLA 7on top performers: Offense

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – We take a look at the top performers over the course of the weekend at the NLA 7on7 West Regional by position.

Josh Rosen didn't look like an underclassmen with his play over the weekend.

Quarterback

1. Josh Rosen, Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Boscoe (Class of 2015) - Unfortunately for Josh and for those that enjoy watching good quarterback play, Rosen’s weekend was cut short when his team was ejected due to a fight. Before that incident though the sophomore was setting the bar for quarterback play. Granted he had a flurry of viable targets but Rosen did an outstanding job finding those targets all weekend long. A strong arm, natural delivery and consistency in all phases of the pass game played into Rosen’s strong weekend.

2. K.J. Carta-Samuels, San Jose (Calif.) Bellarmine Prep - Carta-Samuels, a Vandy commit, didn’t have the offensive weapons at his disposal of some other quarterbacks over the weekend but he still managed to put together an impressive showing. He’s a sturdy kid that can bench press 225 pounds eight times and his arm strength aligns with that. Though Carta-Samuels is very athletic, he’s perfectly content and effective sitting in the pocket and hitting windows. Vanderbilt looks to be getting a good one.

3. Jalen Greene, Gardena (Calif.) Juipero Serra – Greene is an intermediate quarterback and he’s a surgeon in that regard. He doesn’t always show the arm that wows you in the deep passing game but when it comes to distributing the football in the short and intermediate areas, the lefty is extremely precise and effective. Considering that his athleticism is one of his biggest assets, Greene’s play on Saturday and Sunday becomes that much more impressive.

Pass-catchers

1. Dalton Schultz, TE, South Jordan (Utah) Bingham – Though he may have been the biggest prospect in attendance, Schultz was more than just a body mismatch. When he caught the ball all weekend, it was startling how quick and athletic he was after the catch. Schultz looked like one of the nation’s elite tight ends all weekend.

2. Tyler Whiley, WR, Paradise Valley (Ariz.) Chaparral – There were times over the weekend that Whiley was simply the most productive offensive player on the field anywhere. He worked primarily out of the slot and no one could limit his ability to get separation. He made it extremely easy on his quarterbacks and found the end zone over and over again.

3. Zaire Andre, WR, Inglewood (Calif.) High School – Sunday was Andre’s coming out party and he was extremely effective all afternoon for his quarterbacks Greene and Brandon Dawkins. Zaire has average size but is extremely efficient as a route-runner, catches the ball away from his body and showed an extra gear chasing down some deeper passes. Currently Zaire holds one offer from Houston.

Dalton Schultz looked like an elite national tight end in Las Vegas.

4. Erik Brown, WR, Fontana (Calif.) Summit – Brown showed some fatigue late in the weekend but particularly on Saturday, he was one of the best targets at the event. Brown had a combination of size and fluid athleticism that allowed him to both create separation and use his ball skills and body to make plays when the separation wasn’t there. Houston and Nevada are his early offers.

5. Christian Kirk, WR, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro (Class of 2015)– Kirk joined Whiley on one of the most talented teams at the event. It seemed like every time that team needed a big play in the passing game, Kirk would supply it. Though he’s only 5-10, Kirk used his tremendous speed to get behind the defense all weekend and was one of the tournaments best deep threats. Already Kirk holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA and Oregon State.

6. Shay Fields, WR, Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco – There were several very good wide receivers to choose from on the talented Snoop Dogg All-Stars and each could have earned recognition but we’ll go with Fields for the damage he was able to do out of the slot. He showed great game speed and even in a one-hand touch setting, he’s able to chew up significant yardage after the catch. Fields holds one offer from Nevada.

7. Tyler Luatua, TE, La Mirada (Calif.) High School – Luatua was probably the top offensive option for his AIGA team that ultimately won the tournament. He wasn’t always consistent as a pass-catcher but he did show the athleticism and size to be dangerous over the middle and near the red zone. We could see Luatua being a very effective defender on the next level as well but up to know his recruitment has been primarily at tight end.