The Runway: 2027 Prospects Ready to Take Off 8/16

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into a new season of youth and middle school football around the country, below is a look at some class of 2027 prospects (athletes beginning their eighth-grade school year) that have come across my desk. As football recruiting and evaluating continues to change, the eighth-grade season is becoming a pivotal time for young athletes to garner early attention from Universities. Here's a look at some prospects that are on the trajectory to be playing a high level of football for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa67ce269a7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415073"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Having grown up just a half hour outside of New York City, I can attest to how territorial u0022North Jerseyu0022 and u0022South Jerseyu0022 is. While the traditional North Jersey schools such as Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco Prep get much of the national headlines when it comes to high school football, there is a ton of talent in South Jersey. Acrey is the latest proof of that. He first jumped on my radar last spring, watching him tear up a very competitive spring league week after week. The 5-foot-10 and 150-pound back looks to be on the short list of extremely talented 2027 prospects. He's fast, strong and very explosive with the ball in his hands. Expect him to have every private school in New Jersey and Philadelphia wanting him to suit up for them.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa6a72269a8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415341"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6-foot-4 and 195-pounds (unverified size) and having another year before heading to high school, Edmunds has prototypical size already. Despite having such a long build, his throwing motion and release are both lightning quick. I was pleasantly surprised to not see an awkward, elongated release. He does a great job of getting the ball out on a rope and hits receivers in the short-to-intermediate passing game with ease. Trains under Danny Hernandez, a California-based QB trainer that has worked with some of the brightest 2023 Quarterback prospects in the nation such as [player_tooltip player_id='25419' first='Malachi' last='Nelson'] (5-star, USC-commit) [player_tooltip player_id='25431' first='Jaden' last='Rashada']  (4-star, Miami-commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='104098' first='Jaxon' last='Smolik'] (3-star, Penn State-commit). Keep an eye out here.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa6bd1269a9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["403633"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A compact Running Back with unassuming breakaway speed, Robinson is certainly one to keep in mind when going through the top 2027 prospects in the Magnolia State. Unofficially clocked at a 4.6 in the forty yard dash, Robinson gives off some major Maurice Jones-Drew vibes with his thick build and bowling ball running style. Also can catch out of the backfield and create in space if called upon, but he looks at home running between the tackles up front. Robinson is poised to take over the eighth-grade RB1 spot at Brandon Middle School, which was previously held by Prep Redzone Next National Watch List athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='212367' first='Preston' last='Ashley']. Ashley picked up his first offer from Mississippi State in late July, before even taking a varsity snap.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa6c0f269aa","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401064"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A 2027 prospect out of Blue Springs, Missouri with a tremendous upside. Has another year of youth ball to develop but is already standing 5-foot-11 and 165-pounds. Right now is a big Defensive Back but could see him moving down into an athletic Outside Linebacker position, if he continues to grow. Has made strides this off-season in terms of lifting and testing numbers. Currently squatting 255-pounds and deadlifting 315-pounds. Also sports a 25u0022 vertical and an 8'3.5u0022 broad jump.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa6d3b269ab","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415359"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ahead of his recent game I would have said Hill is a no-brainer Wide Receiver at 6-foot-1 and 140-pounds. However, after watching what he did as a Defensive Back, I think the distinction as an Athlete fits him just fine. The Vegas native crosses state lines and suits up for the OG Ducks out of California and is proving to be a valuable piece of the puzzle for the defending AYF National Champions. In his most recent game against the 757 Colts (Virginia), Hill made a number of nice plays, shedding blockers and coming down hill from the Safety position to make big hits. He also contributed on Special Teams.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa6da48cbf6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378966"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I've jokingly (kind of) told people about the 2027 Running Back from North Carolina with forearms bigger than my biceps. Lindsay is an impressive looking kid at 5-foot-7 and weighing in the 170-180-pound range. While he doesn't necessarily have the game-changing speed of some of the other top backs in the 2027 class at this point, he may be the hardest to bring down in the country. He keeps a low pad level and runs extremely hard. The type of player you don't want to meet one-on-one in the hole without having some of your teammates swarming to help you out. Also a standout basketball player, he should put a lot of people on notice at Holbrook Middle School this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fa6ddf8cbf7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["309825"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It's been quite the off-season of work for Clary, who has grown significantly up to 6-foot-1 and closing in on 180-pounds. The consummate pocket-passer, Clary has taken large steps towards becoming one of the notable 2027 quarterbacks in the country. With his size, you can imagine the velocity and zip he has on many of his passes. I don't love drawing comparisons between middle school athletes and NFL guys, but Ben Rothlisberger is the first guy that comes to mind when looking at Clary on film. He's not gonna beat many guys to the edge, but he can scramble to keep plays alive before making a big thrown downfield. Clary trains under the watchful eye of Ramon Robinson, a Quarterback guru that has worked with many prominent high school and NCAA quarterback's in the Carolinas.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->