CHAMBLEE, GA: According to multiple reports from the February 28-March 1 event, elite quarterbacks Derrick Baker (Tennessee commit), Teddy Jarrard (Notre Dame commit), and Jayce Johnson (Texas A&M commit) headlined The Sevens 7-on-7 Football tournament at North Dekalb Stadium, competing alongside four-star Miami commit Ah’Mari Stevens and five-star cornerback Hayden Stepp in the invite-only showcase featuring 16 programs and a $20,000 prize pool.
Power Five Quarterbacks Showcase Skills
Meanwhile, the tournament’s quarterback competition delivered exceptional performances across multiple recruiting classes. Baker, the Tennessee-bound signal-caller from Milton High School in Georgia, utilized the 7-on-7 format to demonstrate his rhythm-passing abilities and red-zone accuracy that align with the Volunteers’ tempo offense. Additionally, his consistent intermediate route attacks and processing speed reinforced his projection as an early contributor in Knoxville.
Notre Dame commit Teddy Jarrard from North Cobb showcased the technical precision that made him attractive to the Fighting Irish coaching staff. However, his performance centered on quick release timing and avoiding forced throws into bracket coverage, maintaining high completion percentages throughout pool play. As a result, Jarrard’s weekend reinforced his reputation as a system-steadying presence for South Bend.
Texas A&M commit Jayce Johnson from Lowndes High School leveraged the open-field structure to highlight his arm strength and perimeter accuracy. Therefore, his consistent success on outbreaking routes and slot fades against tight man coverage demonstrated the velocity and confidence that SEC Football evaluators have prioritized in their 2027 recruiting class.
Elite Receivers and Defensive Backs Battle in The Sevens 7-on-7 Football Competition
Four-star Miami commit Ah’Mari Stevens from Chaminade-Madonna arrived with national championship momentum and performed like a true No. 1 receiver option. Still, his ability to stack defensive backs vertically and win contested catches reinforced scouting reports projecting him as an immediate contributor in Coral Gables.
USC commits Eli Woodard from Chaparral and Quentin Hale from Centennial brought elite route-running to Atlanta, working together to stress safeties with double-moves and crossing patterns. Instead of relying solely on speed, both receivers used sudden releases and polished route stems to maintain their top-tier class rankings.
Defensively, five-star cornerback Hayden Stepp from Big Walnut showcased why he remains one of the most coveted uncommitted prospects nationally. Because of his 6-foot-3 frame and recovery speed, Stepp consistently contested fade routes and back-shoulder attempts against elite competition. Finally, his performance against top receivers like Jamier Brown highlighted his potential as a shutdown corner at the next level.
Rising 2028 and 2029 Prospects Build National Profiles
Casey Barner, ranked as the No. 1 safety in the 2028 class from McEachern, faced direct challenges against USC-bound receivers throughout the weekend. Next, his range and ball skills in tight coverage windows reinforced projections of him developing into a center-field eraser at the collegiate level.
Giovanni Tuggle from Winder-Barrow entered as the top 2028 safety with double-digit interceptions across his first two high school seasons. Then, his route anticipation and ability to undercut throws against quarterback Brysen Wright showcased the instincts that have generated major college interest.
Wright, already considered a candidate for No. 1 overall status in the 2028 class, took high-volume repetitions against nationally-ranked defensive backs. However, his performance added valuable tape to his recruiting profile as college staffs evaluate his decision-making under pressure.
The tournament’s $20,000 prize structure and invite-only format elevated The Sevens 7-on-7 Football beyond traditional offseason competition, with MaxPreps providing live streaming coverage to national audiences. Therefore, prospects competed not only for championships but for ranking improvements and expanded recruiting opportunities across the FBS landscape. For full coverage of national recruiting updates and elite prospect movement, visit Prospect-Radar.com.
