THE Ohio Players 7v7 team ready to compete on biggest stage in OT7's Golden Ticket Tournament

The Overtime OT7 regular season is in the books concluding this past weekend. It was a four-week, 10-game schedule, that determined nearly every team that will advance to the OT7 playoffs to be played the last week of June.

Every spot with the exception of one.

That final team will earn its invitation on the field this weekend in Dallas during the Golden Ticket Tournament. Twelve teams that were not part of the OT7 regular season will play in a winner-take-all event to compete against some of the best 7v7 squads in America this summer on the biggest stage in the sport.

For the first time we will see a team from Ohio as part of the field. THE Ohio Players are excited to compete.

“It comes down to what you do with the opportunity,” team founder and Executive Director Chris Gillam said. “We’re one of 12 teams in the country OT7 allowed to get into this Golden Ticket event. It comes down to seizing the moment and what you do with the opportunity.”

This is the first year Ohio really has the opportunity to compete. Up until a year ago, a state rule was in place prohibiting Ohio football players from competing in 7v7 outside of a certain window or their eligibility would be impacted. It took a five-star in the 2025 class in Oregon signee Trey McNutt standing against in the OHSAA, risking missing time his senior season so he could play 7v7 for the Fast Houston team. A little over a year ago, McNutt’s stance saw the OHSAA overturn the rule limiting athletes participation and now the state of Ohio has its own team competing.

“Having the opportunity like most to be on this stage and allow these kids to be able to do something prior to last April they were prohibited from competing in is great,” Gillam explained. “I don’t know how many people know that story, Trey McNutt, a kid from Cleveland Shaker Heights, he deserves a statue.

“All these kids are benefitting from what he did last year.”

High-profile players representing THE Ohio Players include touted tight end Landen Miree, Louisville commit Payton Cook and Virginia bound Jordan Vann. Many of these teams THE Ohio Players will play against will boast a national roster. This team all hails from the Buckeye State outside of Indianapolis-area quarterback Terry Walker III who has a nice offer list himself with Virginia and Duke leading the way in his process.

THE Ohio Players’ coaching staff is led by NFL veterans in quarterback Jon Kitna and Artrell Hawkins. Between the two of them they have 26 years combined playing at the highest level.

“Our mantra, let’s return em back better than what we found em,” Gillam said. “Of course the obvious is the on-field play, skill development. But we do a lot with character development and we’re talking about some of the best talent in the state of Ohio.”

Certainly more guys will make a name for themselves competing at OT7. NFL Senior Advisor Consultant and Cincinnati native Mike Daniels is also heavily involved. He’s a former successful high school coach in the area.

“We’re dedicated to fostering youth development through the sport of football,” Daniels said. “Our mission is to provide aspiring athletes with opportunities for skill enhancement, teamwork and leadership while promoting sportsmanship, inclusivity, and personal growth. We aim to empower young athletes in Ohio to reach their fullest potential both on and off the field, creating a positive and supportive community that champions their passions and aspiration.”