Previewing a loaded Battle Miami 7-on-7 tournament

MIRAMAR, Fla. – The 7-on-7 season unofficially kicks off this weekend with the annual Battle Miami tournament. The two-day competition, which is drawing close 40 teams from around the country, has quickly turned into one of the biggest events of the offseason as it has served as a proving ground from a number of high-profile prospects while at the same time also giving unknown recruits an avenue to make a name for themselves. 

Two years ago, Arizona-bound wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and current Miami wide receiver Brashard Smith both tormented opposing defenses while Arizona State linebacker Eric Gentry, who was named to 247Sports’ Freshman All-American last month, made plenty of plays in coverage. Last year, it was LSU wide receiver signee Landon Ibieta and Louisville wide receiver signee Devaughn Mortimer that went from nobody’s to somebody’s while established blue-chippers like Georgia cornerback signee Jaheim Singletary and USC running back signee Raleek Brown both verified that they were legit.

This year’s tournament will start Saturday morning with pool play around 9 a.m. and go into the early afternoon hours. Sunday will be all about elimination play. Below, we highlight some of the bigger names expected to compete in the Sunshine State’s heat.

24K: The upstart out of Florida’s Space Coast is home to Top247 athlete Robert Stafford and Top247 defensive back Shawn Russ. Georgia and Alabama both offered unranked wide receiver Aidan Mizell this week. He figures to be top target for 2024 quarterback Colin Hurley.

Bootleggers: The Lousiana-based group packs plenty of star power as Rueben Owens will be wearing the purple and gold. The 247Sports’ No. 1-ranked running back will be joined in the huddle by LSU Top247 wide receiver commit Omarion Miller. The defense will be anchored by Top247 safety Isaac Smith, who reports a UGA offer.

Burch Sports: Jeremiah Shack is the name to know here. The big-framed wideout will be catching passes from his high school quarterback Tramell Jones. Maryland and Georgia Tech have already offered the freshman.

Certified Dawgs: Hailing from the greater Orlando area, this organization’s offense will run through three-star wide receivers Darren Lawrence and Asaad Waseem. UCF recently picked up a Crystal Ball pick for Lawerence.

Defcon: Last year’s Battle Miami champions are back to defend their crown. At quarterback is Taron Dickens, who is closing in on some Miami-Dade passing records. Two of the nation’s top sophomores will look to make plays on the backend in cornerback Antione Jackson and safety Zaquan Patterson.

Dreamchasers: Top247 defensive lineman Gavin Hill will get snaps at tight end for this crew out of the northern parts of Florida.

ESA Flight: Top247 cornerback Christian Gray headlines the team out of Saint Louis. Notre Dame holds the early lead on the 247Sports’ Crystal Ball for him. Dakotah Mayo and Chase Hendricks are two pass catchers of note on the roster.

Sound Mind Sound Body (MaxEx): One of the nation’s most coveted quarterbacks will be spinning it for MaxEx in five-star Dante Moore, who is still sorting through his college options as Michigan and others push. CJ Carr, who recently accepted an invite to the 2024 All-American Bowl, will run point for MaxEx’s other squad. Johnathan Slack is a highly-ranked offensive lineman that will try his hand at tight end for the institution out of Detroit.

Miami Immortals: It will be a home game of sorts for the boys with Miami Vice style uniforms. Good luck to anyone tasked with trying to slow down five-star wide receiver Jalen Brown or Top247 athlete Robby Washington, who might be one of the nation’s better kept secrets. Daniel Harris, Andy Jean, Antonio Smith, Stanquan Clark, Richard Dandridge and Adam Moore are other 2022s with Power 5 upside.

South Florida Express: Some might consider SFE the favorite to take home the trophy Sunday. The decorated program’s roster is loaded with blue chippers – Cormani McClain (No. 1-ranked CB), Brandon Inniss (No. 1-ranked WR), Mark Fletcher (No. 7-ranked RB), Hykeem Williams (No. 10-ranked WR), Sharif Denson (No. 18-ranked CB), Nathaniel Joseph (Clemson WR commit) and Cedrick Hawkins (Ohio State DB commit).

TOA: Nicholaus Iamaleava will be the highest-ranked quarterback in attendance. That will have a ton of eyes on the big arm out of California, who cut his list to Alabama, Auburn, BYU, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, Tennessee and UCLA back in December.

True Buzz: The club from Texas is always stacked with talent and that’s once again the case this year, especially on defense. Texas Top247 safety commit Jamel Johnson and Top247 safety Braxton Myers should make it very hard for opposing offenses to move the ball. Montrel Hatten figures to be the focal point of the offense.

Tucson Turf: The Arizona group is led by Oregon Top247 cornerback commit Cole Martin and Top247 wide receiver Kyler Kasper, who was offered by Georgia a few days ago. Devon Dampier is expected to be the man under center.

Stay locked to 247Sports for full coverage throughout the weekend.