Top Performers: F3 Elite 7v7 practice
Second-year program F3 Elite, now sponsored by NFL wide receiver Jarvis Landry, looks to be one of Louisiana’s top teams this spring. Several key standouts who have worked with trainer Ken Anio for the past few years before deciding to…
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Continue ReadingSecond-year program F3 Elite, now sponsored by NFL wide receiver Jarvis Landry, looks to be one of Louisiana’s top teams this spring.
Several key standouts who have worked with trainer Ken Anio for the past few years before deciding to branch into 7-on-7 are now rising seniors and juniors, and a few other difference-makers have joined that effort.
The group held a practice and showcase event Jan. 17 at Premier Soccer in St. Gabriel.
And a handful of the top performers included:
Austin Ausberry — 6-1, 201 ATH — University Lab
Austin, a 2022 prospect, and younger brother Jaiden, a 2023 prospect who plays his 7-on-7 ball with the Bootleggers, both play all over the field for U-High. So the spring presents an opportunity to focus a bit more on their coverage skills. But Austin brought a level of intensity and physicality to the practice field that would’ve served him well in a tackle game, too.
Derrick Graham — 6-0, 210 RB — University Lab
“Rodeo” has been a standout running back for the Cubs, even from his underclassman years, and performed well enough in that role to garner several scholarship offers, including a few from Power Five programs. But the 2022 prospect worked some repetitions as a linebacker during the practice session, which could add an interesting wrinkle to his recruitment as he appears a potential viable option on either side of the ball at the next level.
Walker Howard — 6-1, 185 QB — St. Thomas More
The LSU-committed, state championship-winning passer was a surprise to see arrive to the practice after not having participated in 7-on-7 in previous seasons. The rising senior led a solid quarterback group that also included 2023 standouts Reese Mooney of Denham Springs and Keddrick Connelly of Warren Easton and would be a huge difference-maker if he plays the full schedule with F3 — or any other team in the state or nation for that matter.
Kylin Jackson — 6-2, 190 DB — Zachary
The 2023 safety is among that core group that trained together before venturing into 7-on-7. And, after having COVID-19 cut last spring so short, this offseason is an intriguing one for a big, physical athlete often talked about more as a “thumper” for his physicality in or near the box. Jackson has shown good instincts and ball skills at times and will have more opportunities than ever to continue to fine-tune and showcase the coverage aspects of his game all over the F3 secondary this spring and summer.
Jordan Matthews —6-1, 170 DB — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)
The recent Mississippi State and Virginia target is the team’s best pure cornerback and could ultimately make a case for the state’s best for the 2023 recruiting class. Matthews is a long athlete with track speed — in which he and his family take maybe as much pride as his early football success — and a confidence and toughness that has come from years playing against brother Joshua Matthews, a college wide receiver who transferred this offseason from Louisiana Tech to McNeese State, and other older friends in the area.
Shelton Sampson Jr. — 6-4, 181 WR — Catholic (Baton Rouge)
The young LSU target burst onto the recruiting scene late last summer with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his high school, but had a largely quiet sophomore season as a result of a run-heavy offense and a slight injury sidelining or slowing him at times. He exploded for a three-touchdown semifinal performance, then snatched a highlight jump-ball touchdown in the Bears’ state championship victory. He was the best-looking receiver of a good corps at the practice, and this spring is a prime opportunity for him to really take a step forward toward the dominant pass-catching threat he appears to have the tools to be.