ORLANDO – This past weekend (April 15-16), multiple elite 7v7 teams from across the country traveled to Orlando to compete in the OT7 East Tournament.
OT7 is regarded as the best 7v7 tournament in the country, and it is invite only. Once invited, your squad can choose which locations you want to compete in, with this year’s options being Phoenix, Austin, Orlando and Baltimore.
South Florida was lucky to have multiple local teams competing in the Orlando Tournament, including Bless 7v7, DEFCON 1, Florida Fire, Miami Immortals, SFE, and RAW Miami.
DEFCON 1 won the tournament championship after defeating California Power, 29-20.
Two of the our 561 talents that let their talents shine bright on the biggest stage were Waden Charles and Denarius Gray.
Charles and Gray are teammates with DEFCON and Somerset Academy Canyons in Boynton Beach.
Charles is a 6-foot-2, 175 pound athlete. He exploded onto the scene last season, where he recorded over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns, as well as 66 tackles and three interceptions.
His best game in 2022 was in Week 4 against Jupiter Christian, when he had 193 yards and one touchdown. His stellar performance last season earned him a three-star rating, while also being ranked as the 59th-ranked wide receiver in the Class of 2025.
Charles has received 18 Division I offers, with his top schools being Georgia, Miami, Florida State, and LSU.
Meanwhile, Gray is a 6-foot-1, 175 pound wide receiver/defensive back in the Class of 2026.
During his freshman season, Gray recorded 765 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while also having 42 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble on defense. His best game was in Week 11 against Forest Hill, where he recorded 10 receptions for 109 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Gray has received 14 Division I offers, including Miami, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, and Auburn.
Graphic Credit: David Duong
In order to win the Orlando Tournament, DEFCON defeated SMSB (Michigan) 21-19, Gridiron Elite (Orlando) 26-23, Legends 7v7 (Orlando) 30-21 and California Power 29-20.
Our two stars were key contributors in DEFCON’s championship run. Charles and Gray both made explosive plays throughout the tournament, scoring multiple touchdowns and racking up crucial catches.
When asked about the experience they had at OT7, Charles and Gray said:
“OT7 is definitely the best 7on7 tournament. All the best teams on the 7on7 circuit come together and compete and have fun. OT7 stands out because they make everything fun. It definitely lives up to the hype.”- Waden Charles
“What sets OT7 apart is that it’s more fun they have way more fun than actual 7on7s the atmosphere was great.”- Denarius Gray
This dynamic duo was able to showcase their talents against some of the best prospects in the country. The future of Palm Beach County high school football is bright, and we are all excited to see what’s in store for these two.
