The Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 8/25

<!-- 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_6303ad70648f5","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419329"],"_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":"The kid they call u0022Moonieu0022 is a human highlight reel every time he has the ball in his hands.  Not the fastest Running Back in the class at this point, but still has plenty of speed and was clocked at an 11.64 in the 100M this past June. Gipson is scary athletic, putting in display early this 2022 season, as he hurdled a would-be tackler in his first game of the season earlier in August. Has already started the college recruiting journey by being invited to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama spring game this past April.  Followed it up with another visit to the Tide by attending the Nick Saban Football Camp in August. Football fans in SEC country should be hearing a lot about Gipson going forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303df2f48b89","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423046"],"_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":"Earlier we wrote about fellow 2027 prospect and Hamilton Tigers teammate QB [player_tooltip player_id='423015' first='Justin' last='Dixon']. In Dixon's write up we talked about the weapons he has around him, and to find the most lethal weapon, look no further then Branch. While I don't have official measurements on him (which is why no height is listed) I have to believe he's every bit of 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-2 and a well-put together 170-to-180-pounds.  Just a physical mismatch at this stage of the game for most Defensive Back's. He can run past guys vertically and take the top off for a big play, or he can find a soft pocket in the coverage and then pick up YAC yards when turning up field.  Either way, there's not much a defense on the middle school level can to stop him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303f0ac48b8a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["248505"],"_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 love the way Howard approaches the game of football. He's a nasty, confident, mean, do-whatever-it-takes type of player and it's absolutely infectious. At 5-foot-11 and 185-pounds he brings a mixture of speed and power to the position. More than that, he's responsible for a lot of production either running the ball or as a weapon out of the backfield. In a u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/dowork_sports/status/1561251948669681666?s=20u0026amp;t=6mefVABhT_KSbN5IkG5GRQu0022u003erecent interviewu003c/au003e, Howard was asked about his playing style and he responded by saying, u0022I just like to run people over. It's fun, ya know?...Juking people out, that's fun and all but running people over that's really, really fun.u0022.  What's scary is that while he's an unquestioned football player, his best sport is probably baseball. On the diamond he bats for power and average, while excelling at third base and anywhere in the middle infield. There's no question he's on track to be a two-sport star throughout high school and into the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303f11848b8b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["408628"],"_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":"When it comes to Holman, potential is the name of the game. At 6-foot-1 and 175-pounds he is nowhere close to even scratching the ceiling of how good he could become. Currently listed as an Athlete because of his impressive size, I think he could become an outstanding Outside Linebacker if the development continues. Or, if he continues to get bigger and thicker, he could line up as a Defensive End...development and growth will dictate where he goes. He played last season with one of the best youth teams in the state, the Louisville Chargers. This summer was a prospect that our scouts liked and turned more than a couple heads on the Kentucky Future Stars team.  This season he will be playing for Leestown Middle School Chargers and if all goes to plan, there could be more than a few private schools with an interest in Holman.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303f2a948b8c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423247"],"_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 don't have an exact size on Henry, but he seems to be a little on the smaller side at this point. With that said, I really like what I see out of him as a natural Cornerback. Plays the position with eyes wide open. Hyper-aware in coverage, whether manning up or playing zone. Does a great job staying in the hip pocket of Wide Receivers and rarely falls for double moves. He's an above average functional athlete with room to get even better. During 7-on-7 played a lot of Wide Receiver, as well. Regardless which side of the ball he's playing on, possesses really good ball skills and reliable hands.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303f42448b8d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423257"],"_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 saw Bravo play live this past winter and really liked the toughness he brought to the Cornerback position. At 5-foot-9 and 140-pounds, he has stretched out a little bit since then and also added 5-10 pounds of muscle. Plays a physical style of Corner and isn't afraid to jam Wide Receivers at the line of scrimmage to throw timing and releases off. From what I can observe, he likes to press early in games to test the guys across from him. Trains and works out hard, also participating in boxing and track and field in the 100m. I like the boxing aspect of his training, as it helps with reaction, strength, and fast-twitch muscle fibers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303f4d048b8e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342339"],"_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":"When it comes to Purcell, it's more of a matter of u003cemu003ewhen u003c/emu003ethat first offer will come, rather than u003cemu003eif u003c/emu003ethat offer will come. At 6-foot-1 and 150-pounds he enters his eighth-grade season with very good size for a Quarterback. The Southpaw can make pretty much every throw on the field that is required of him. In terms of playing style, I see a lot Maxwell Award winner and former No.1 overall pick, Andrew Luck. He can move around better than average and can scramble if he needs to, but his strength comes with his arm. Watching his film, he does a nice job of throwing his receivers open in tough situations. Does a good job of throwing on the run and his accuracy is promising. Spent a ton of time getting better and camping this summer, with stops at Michigan State, Michigan and Notre Dame.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->