Battle Miami Top Performers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The first stop of the Battle 7-on-7 circuit in 2023 got underway this weekend in South Florida with programs from around the Sunshine State playing host to a talented field with recruits from California, Texas, Louisiana, Utah, Virginia, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Miami, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the host state of Florida.

This tournament features a quartet of On3 Consensus five-stars, and 39 recruits tabbed as four-stars or inside the On300, and another 16 representing the On3 Consensus for 2025.

Here are On3’s top performers from the weekend headlined by On3 MVP Julian Sayin.

On3 MVP: QB Julian Sayin – Alabama commit

The West Coast passer put together arguably the best Saturday during pool play, then came through time and time again during Elimination Sunday to advance Raw all the way to the final four. Julian Sayin, the On3 Consensus‘ No. 4 QB in the 2024 class, threw the ball with torque and was delivering strikes from the pocket for the length of the event.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder arrived in Miami with a thicker frame, and it showed as Sayin fired out the football and made good decision after good decision, a notable theme to the Carlsbad (Calif.) QB’s game. Sayin didn’t shy away from squeezing the ball into tight windows in the middle of the field or taking chances outside the numbers. He threw his receivers open and put some oomph on throws when necessary and dropped it in on other attempts. The ball flies out of Sayin’s hands, as the Alabama commit kicked the offseason off in compelling fashion.

2. WR Dakorien Moore – 2025

The author of the biggest highlight in one of the final pool-play contests, the nation’s No. 2 2025 WR Dakorien Moore was unguardable upon arrival in South Florida. The Duncanville (Texas) four-star, who had a huge catch downfield in his high school football team’s last month, kept the big plays rolling with a handful of easy big touchdowns downfield and a fantastic grab with time expiring on Saturday night. Moore out-jumped the cornerback and high-pointed the football, then held on through the contact for the game-winning score.

It was more of Moore on Sunday. The versatile receiver stretched the field and made some of his impressive grabs appear almost seamless.

3. WR Joshisa Trader

Consensus No. 8 overall player Joshisa Trader was the benefit of opposing defenses focusing in on five-star Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith. South Florida Express’ other blue-chipper, Trader, cashed in those opportunities consistently.

The speedy two-way athlete from South Florida powerhouse Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna was explosive beating defenders downfield and taking advantage of 1-on-1 coverage. Trader flashed the downfield speed as well as strong hands and the ability to out-jump corners and play through contact. The combination of speed, ball skills and athleticism makes Trader one of the most intriguing athletes at receiver or even cornerback in the country.

Miami is the leader over the Buckeyes early on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine for Trader.

4. WR Jamie Ffrench – 2025

One wide receiver that continued to make plays after play after play was Sunshine State native Jaime Ffrench. Ffrench, a two-way standout that took snaps on both sides of the ball, really found his groove at wide receiver, where he shined most over the weekend. He made great grabs in the end zone, including a one-handed grab for a touchdown. His offer list continues to grow and he will be among the best in Florida in 2025, and the Seminoles lead early on the RPM.

5. CB Ellis Robinson

There are few cornerbacks who pass the eye test at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds quite like Ellis Robinson. The Consensus No. 1 cornerback in the country in the 2024 class was rarely tested during pool play action on Saturday, but came up with several big plays in coverage during Championship Sunday. The big-framed corner is sticky in coverage and is even more impressive closing in on the fotball. Robinson also has a massive wingspan and was pesky deflecting passes thrown his way or contesting catches in a significant way.

Robinson had a strong two days in coverage. Alabama slightly leads Georgia on the RPM the elite lockdown defensive back.

6. CB Charles Lester

Florida native Charles Lester was masterful in coverage from start to finish in this tournament working at cornerback on the outside. The Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview CB tabbed as the Consensus‘ No. 3 player at the position in 2024 went stride for stride with receivers in coverage and was especially productive in coverage in the middle of the field as well as keeping routes in front of him. Lester was electric closing in on passes and pesky for receivers throughout the route.

Lester flies to the football and uses his hands well, not to mention having great play recognition during in-game action. Alabama is the favorite on the RPM, but Florida and Florida State are both gaining ground with the elite corner.

7. ATH Daniel Hill

The majority of teams in pursuit of On300 Mississippi athlete Daniel Hill like him at running back, and he gave a compelling case for why offense is his forte at Battle Miami. The big-framed back who checks in at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds was dominating 50-50 balls in the middle of the field and in the end zone. The Meridian (Miss.) standout has serious ups and equally strong hands at that. Hill is a major threat in the passing game to compliment his physical running style.

After several visits to Tuscaloosa, Alabama leads the way on the RPM.

8. CB Jaylen Thompson – Michigan State commit

Like Robinson, Michigan State commit Jaylen Thompson thrives as a bigger-framed cornerback and stepped up on defense for the NPA Dream Team throughout the weekend in coverage. The Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Riverdale corner checked in at 6-foot-2 and just over 180 pounds, and moves well and closes on the football even quicker.

Thompson provided spectacular 1-on-1 coverage on explosive WR Terrance Moore, a bigger-framed pass-catcher, and also came away with an interception on Sunday.

9. CB Zabien Brown

Four-star CB Zabien Brown was emphatically smooth and under control against top receivers all night. He has long arms, he played physically when he needed to and he was hardly tested because of his coverage. The trip across the country from California to Florida for Brown was a positive one. He was impressive from the jump.

USC is the favorite on the RPM to keep the West Coast cornerback home.

10. QB Colin Hurley – LSU commit

On300 LSU QB commit Colin Hurley was passing the rock with authority. The Florida native out of Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity was off to a strong start in primetime action on Saturday, mixing with throws with some velocity and some with touch, and showcasing his excellent vision of the field. Hurley was polished and it showed on designed rollouts. He also throws a stellar deep ball consistently and gets his receivers the ball in advantageous positions on the field.

Additional notes:

+2025 San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) JSerra Catholic QB Michael Tollefson was among the top underclassman quarterbacks to shine in this setting. Tollefson grabbed our attention with his outstanding touch on passes downfield and a strong showing both Saturday night and again on Sunday with ball placement and accuracy, especially on throws downfield.

+2024 WR KJ Duff from Riverhead (N.Y.) St. Anthony’s checked in at 6-foot-5 and just more than 200 pounds. The hybrid receiver-tight end was Sayin’s top target in the middle of the field. He has superior length and is a massive target in the passing game with the right skill set to create mismatches.

+Noreel White was stellar on the perimeter for the Bootleggers. The Ocean Springs (Miss.) St. Martin’s four-star was dynamic working on the perimeter. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is a meticulous route-runner and provided a spark on the outside. He was also adept at working in the middle of the field. LSU leads Ole Miss on the RPM.

+On300 S Boo Carter looked the part at 6-foot and a swollen 190 pounds playing on both sides of the ball for the NPA Dream Team. Back home in center field, Carter came away with an interception during Elimination Sunday. Tennessee is the runaway favorite on the RPM for the athletic safety.

+2024 WR Keylan Adams was also impressive as a big-bodied pass-catcher that can work in the middle over the middle. Adams used his 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame to his advantage and also has strong hands.

+LSU DB commit Zion Ferguson is the Consensus‘ No. 17 cornerback out of Gainesville (Ga.). Ferguson used his size to his advantage getting physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage and easily turning and running with an array of different pass-catchers opposite him. On Saturday, Ferguson jumped a route underneath and nearly came away with a pick. He found the ball and gravitated toward it all weekend.

+2024 Baton Rouge (La.) University DB Tony Burns came away with three picks in as many games during pool play on Saturday. The little brother of LSU safety Major Burns, Tony is enjoying a stellar start to the offseason after a breakthrough junior campaign. Like his older brother, Tony has added to his frame and continues to elevate his game each time out.

+2025 QB Sebastian Circo was sharp orchestrating the Bootleggers’ offense as a point guard. Circo was accurate, a careful decision-maker, and struck when opportunities opened up. He’s visited Miami three times the past year and beginning to create some serious buzz.

+2024 On300 WR Chance Robinson was one of the several playmakers on hand for SFE, but really sowed out working underneath and in the middle of the field. The South Florida native is dynamic in the middle of the field and plucked some balls in traffic. The Seminoles lead the way on the RPM.