COLLEGE STATION, TX -- The 7-on-7 state championship moved into the second day on Friday, with Division I play starting up, and Division II completing, with Celina taking the championship over Graham, led by 2015 quarterback Nathan Elliott.
The large classification schools feature many of the top prospects in Division I play and many of the anticipated stars lived up to expectations while a handful of others increased their stock in the eyes of evaluators in attendance. Here's who SB Nation watched:
2014 La Porte linebacker Hoza Scott -- In warm-ups, Scott provided evidence of his strong hands by snatching a bullet pass with one big paw, then continued to work on his hands prior to the game. It didn't take long for him to show some results from the work, reading a play to the flat, jumping it, hauling in the pass, and taking it several short yards for a touchdown. On another play, Scott showcased similar reactive quickness, closing and breaking up a pass that he felt he should have intercepted.
The prowess in coverage was remarkable for a player known as a downhill linebacker. Besides his ability to read plays after they started, Scott also helped his teammate secure an interception by anticipating a play call -- the same play run the play previously, except to the opposite side of the field.
2014 Westwood quarterback Bear Fenimore -- Back at the Round Rock State Qualifying Tournament, Fenimore impressed with his clean mechanics, especially his ability to keep the ball high and tight and his elbow elevated. No surprise, then, that Fenimore did the same on Friday, as well as showing more of his arm strength by stretching the field after mostly working the short and underneath routes earlier in the summer.
2013 Tyler John Tyler wide receiver Fred Ross -- The Oklahoma State commit feasted on a heavy diet of the unfortunate cornerback lined up against him in the Hebron contest that was won in overtime by the Hawks after a furious comeback. He scored numerous touchdowns, including a leaping catch in the front corner of the endzone over a defender with strong coverage. He was at his best working across the middle on mean-beater routes like slants, when he seemed to always beat his man.
2013 Tyler John Tyler defensive end Tyus Bowser -- One of the most physically impressive prospects in attendance, the high school defensive end looks like he was carved by a sculptor. He worked at tight end and could project there, at middle linebacker, or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, perhaps his best collegiate position, as he's a bit of a tweener for defensive end in college at 6-2 and around 220 pounds.
On Friday, he made several big plays, catching the ball away from his body when necessary and catching it away from his frame on balls over his head. On one notable play, Bowser showed his speed on a go route and hauled in a catch over his shoulder for a long touchdown.
Based on his performance, Bowser looks underrecruited, even though he's a guy who doesn't have a true position -- sometimes it behooves coaches to take a football player and then find a position for them later.
2013 Cypress Woods outside linebacker Deoundrei Davis -- Locked up by the Longhorns after the second Junior Day back in February, Davis will play a hybrid safety/linebacker role for Texas. In a format where most linebackers struggle to make plays, Davis was excellent in coverage, with two plays late in a contest against Frisco Centennial that showcased his skills -- on the first, he flipped his hips to transition, close on a receiver, and knock the ball away at the last second in the endzone. On the second, he handed off a receiver crossing in front of him, moved latterally to his right to pick up another, and once again batted the pass away. Based on those plays, it's easy to see why Texas likes him playing him in space, even though he's also a hard hitter when the pads come on.
2014 Arlington Bowie safety Edwin Freeman -- With long arms and a naturally thick frame that still has plenty of room for growth, Freeman may be best suited for a hybrid position in college -- unless he reaches 230 pounds, which is a distinct possibility. Against Manvel, projected to be a contender for the title prior to the tournament, Freeman wasn't targeted, but moved well for a jumbo safety.
2014 Lewisville Hebron safety Jamal Adams -- Clearly the vocal leader for his team, Adams spent the minutes before the game making sure that his teammates stretched and prepared mentally for the game, then communicated to help his teammates get in the right position, correct mistakes, and generally act as a motivator and cheerleader.
Like Freeman, he wasn't often tested, but he has showed coverage versatility by working at cornerback at several camps. As a result, it was a bit disappointing that he didn't have the chance to go against Fred Ross, who gave his teammates so many problems.
2014 Abilene Cooper wide receiver Lorenzo Joe -- After playing wide receiver and in the Wildcat role for his team as a sophomore, Joe has been transitioning to the quarterback role he will adopt as a junior this fall. The early returns were certainly positive in terms of helping Cooper even qualify for state. He still projects as a receiver, as his footwork is choppy and his release far from ideal, but he did throw an impressive fade route in the endzone for a touchdown.