Five prospects to watch from day 1 of the YPL Southern Showdown

CARROLTON – The 2022 7-on-7 season is in full swing as is the first weekend following a month-long dead period. Many prospects around the country were back on campuses taking visits during the first day of competition in Carrolton on Saturday, but there were plenty of new faces that stood out.

2024 Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview WR Mike Matthews

Matthews is a rising junior at Parkview in Lilburn. He already has offers from Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Pittsburgh, UCF, UAB, Liberty and Wake Forest. He also have a few Power Five basketball offers.

Matthews was dominant on Saturday. He ran smooth routes and won multiple jump balls. Matthews drew some buzz from the crowd when he snagged a jump ball with one hand while falling out of bounds.

Matthews also lined up as a defensive back for multiple possessions. At 6-foot-3 and basketball leaping ability Matthews is a tough cover and an intriguing prospect to watch in the class of 2024.

2023 Augusta (Ga.) Greenbrier WR/DB Malik Leverett

Malik Leverett has multiple offers to play wide receiver. He predominantly lined up as a safety on Saturday. He made play after play to close out two wins to end the day for Husle Inc. Leverett snagged three interceptions between the two games.

He is listed at 6-foot-3 but appears much taller and longer than listed. Leverett used that length to engulf space between himself and a wide receiver.

Leverett won two jump balls in the endzone for two of his interceptions.

2025 Buford (Ga.) Buford LB Jadon Perlotte

Jadon Perlotte already boasts a strong list of offers. He’s been offered by Arkansas, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Florida State among others.

Perlotte is 6-foot-3, 200-pounds and covers well in space. He held his own in coverage when tested.

2025 Daphne (Ala.) Daphne QB K.J. Lacey

K.J. Lacey spun the ball around during the two games On3 viewed. He showed the ability to put balls in tight windows as well as the ability to throw with anticipation.

He attacked defenses deep on a regular basis. Lacey also threw his check-downs when up against the sack-clock. There were very few times the rising sophomore was up against the clock.

He already holds an offer from UAB.

2023 Mableton (Ga.) Pebblebrook WR Briyar Powers

Coaches were buzzing after Powers’ faced their team Saturday and during the season.

“We couldn’t do anything with him,” a coach told On3.

Powers has an offer from UNC-Charlotte already. He says he’s heard from multiple programs over the last few months.

Honerable mentions

Jeremy Hecklinski QB Walton (Ga.) 2024

Dylan Wittke QB Buford (Ga.) 2023

Gregory Turner CB Hapeville Charter (Ga.) 2023

Geimere Latimer QB/ATH Sandy Creek 2023

Dwight Phillips RB Pebblebrook (RB) 2024

Antonio White WR Parkview 2024