Rivals Recap: NC Elite 7v7 Tournament

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After a few days of rain, more than a dozen talented seven-on-seven teams descended on Rocky River High School outside of Charlotte for the NC Elite 7v7 Tournament. In an abbreviated schedule because of thunderstorms, Team Texas 2, Carolina Grind 3 and N.C. Elite Grey shared the championship.

Rivals100 wide receiver Nico Collins could do almost anything he wanted to in the open field on Saturday. He is every bit the 6-foot-5 he is listed and is very strong despite his slender build. Collins was very sure-handed and was particularly effective on crossing routes.

Tre Shaw isn’t the biggest defensive back but he has good feet and is very strong. He did a good job of keeping wide receivers in front of him and consistently disrupted the timing between the quarterback and the receiver. Shaw wasn’t tested too many times but he did break up his fair share of passes.

Safety Derrik Allen is one of the highest rated players in the 2018 class and it was easy to see why. He is an imposing presence in the center of the field and does a great job of tracking throws while they are still in the air. Allen was in position to make a lot of interceptions because he is so good at anticipating routes and throws.

Tight end Kemari Averett had a huge day and was the go-to target for his team in pressure situations. At 6-foot-7, Averett could get to throws the defensive backs couldn’t and consistently made difficult catches. He has 10 offers right now but many more should be on the way.

Porter Rooks made news the other week when he picked up an offer from Louisville. Watching him play, you wouldn’t think he was a 2020 prospect if you didn’t already know it. Rooks route running skills are pretty advanced and he already creates a lot of separation. He caught nearly everything thrown his way and the offers should be piling up within the next year or two.

A virtual unknown, Jyaire Shorter should be getting a lot of attention soon. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound wide receiver made a lot of big plays down the field. Shorter was able to beat defenders with his speed most of the time and he just muscled them out of the way if he couldn’t run past them. He has a very broad build and could end up playing another position if he adds more weight to his frame.

Corey Reed continues to impress. The three-star receiver, one of the best prospects last month at the Rivals Camp Series in Charlotte, was a consistent threat to defenses on Saturday and made a lot of catches on various routes all over the field. Reed’s stock will continue to rise if he keeps performing like this.

Davondre Robinson was in his element on Saturday and had a very good performance. A bigger safety, Robinson’s game is based on physicality but did a good job of anticipating throws and making plays on the ball.

One of the most athletic prospects in attendance, Markquese Bell had a lot of success at cornerback on Saturday. Listed as a athlete, Bell usually plays wide receiver and safety in 7-on-7 settings. Quarterbacks had a hard time getting catchable throws past Bell on Saturday because of his great length.