The Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 8/29

<!-- 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_63079aebf1e27","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["426571"],"_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 last of the stellar Sabb boy's to come through the ranks, [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb'] is entering his final year of youth football. Oldest brother Keyon Sabb was a four-star prospect and is now at Michigan, while middle brother [player_tooltip player_id='212380' first='Amari' last='Sabb'] was named to the 2026 Prep Redzone Next National Watchlist and is just starting his freshman season and already holds five offers. When it comes to Xavier, he's built more like his oldest brother, already standing 6-foot and 175-pounds. Like both of his older brothers, Xavier is Mr.Do-It-All for the Glassboro team in South Jersey. In a recent scrimmage he lined up at both Running Back and Wide Receiver, scoring from both positions. His season doesn't start until September 10th, but expect Sabb to excite early and often this year. Speaking of early, expect early offers for this young man.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6aff"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63079b0af1e28","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423347"],"_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 year ago, as a seventh-grader, Unger was unquestionably one of the better linemen in the country. He was bigger and stronger than a lot of others and he had his way with them on the field. This year, as an eighth-grader on the Varsity team for Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Unger has really transformed his body and it is showing on the field.  He's an inch taller, but has also really leaned out and carries his weight well at 6-foot-2 and 250-pounds. At this point can play any of the Offensive Line positions, but looks at home as an Offensive Guard to me. He's squatty and strong, and can climb up to the next level.  Madison-Ridgeland is currently 2-1 and coming off their first loss of the season. However, in their two victories, they outscored their opponents 131-12.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6b46"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63079b1ff1e29","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419573"],"_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":"If you follow the Big 10, or college football in general, you're probably well aware that year-in and year-out, Wisconsin has one of the best Offensive Line's in the country. Right there in Wisconsin, in the heart of Big 10 country, Provost is a two-way lineman to put on your radar. He's already standing 6-foot-4 and 230-pounds, with a much-desired frame. He's a lean 230-pounds and has improving feet from his work in the gym and the basketball court. While he's a big kid, there is considerable room for improvement on strength. Also needs to work on keeping his pad level lower at the point of contact. All that said, he has the length and frame that all next-level coaches want to see. On his film, when he does get his arms extended in pass protection, there aren't many Edge defenders in the Badger State that are getting around him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6b85"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63079b44f1e2a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415119"],"_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 Welch, it's his in-game speed that separates him from much of the competition at this level. Welch, an eighth-grade student-athlete at Liberty-Eylau Middle School in Texarkana, is one of the top Running Backs in Northeast Texas. At 5-foot-11 he's a taller back at this point. Watching his film, from the point of receiving the handoff until he passes the line of scrimmage, he needs to improve how hard he hits the hole. It takes him a few steps and yards to get going, but once he enters open field, he becomes pretty impressive. He has that acceleration and pull-away speed that the great backs have. Like a shark smelling blood in the water, he turns it on and attacks the open field, using his long strides to run to daylight.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6bab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63079e7af1e2b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["426454"],"_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 watching clips of Brown during off-season training this summer, or from games from last season, he's a prospect that should stir up a lot of excitement in The Big Apple. The New York City native is a rocked up 5-foot-7 and 155-pounds with very good speed and agility, that should have many of the private high school's in New York and New Jersey trying to get him into their program. Brown works out with former Delaware Defensive Back and owner of u003cstrongu003eBack of My Jersey (BMJ)u003c/strongu003e, Bali Johnson and it's clearly paying off. His balance and quick-cut ability are some of the best I've seen in the country at this point. He runs with very little wasted movement and does an elite job of regaining his center of gravity after making a move. He's going to be fun to watch develop.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6bce"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63079ea6f1e2c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["424593"],"_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":"Most high school football coaches in America would take a two-way lineman that's 6-foot-3 and 265-pounds (unverified). The coaches of the Hartland Area Youth Athletic Association (HAYAA) are blessed to have a Tobin, an eighth-grader, who is already that size. Hailing from about 30 minutes from Ann Arbor, and less than hour from Detroit, Tobin is an Offensive Line prospect that has some promising potential. He's a big, physical kid that looks like he loves playing Offensive Line with a mean streak. Already benching 245-pounds, squatting 385-pounds and deadlifting 500-pounds on a Hex Bar, he's one of the strongest football players in the country at this point. Personally, I love football players who also wrestle an that's what Tobin brings to the table. Understands leverage and how to use full-body strength.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6bf1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63079f03f1e2d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419399"],"_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":"Last week we talked about some of the top eighth-grade athletes on the Hamilton Tigers youth team, namely [player_tooltip player_id='423015' first='Justin' last='Dixon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='423046' first='James' last='Branch']. Smith Jr. is the third member of the Tigers' three-headed monster on Offense. With Dixon and Branch clicking in the passing game, Smith Jr. is the Running Back that keeps defense's honest and scorches them if they don't respect the box. At 5-foot-9 and 170-pounds he's been clocked at a 4.5 in the forty yard dash (unverified). A very sudden runner that hits the hole hard and explodes through arm tackles at the line. The talented 2027 prospect should have his pick of potential suitors, and told me there's mutual interest in IMG Academy (Fla.), St. Frances Academy (Md.), Good Counsel (Md.) and DeMatha (Md.). He went on to tell me he'll be narrowing down his choices after the season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-66143e60b6c16"} /-->