Recruiting Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 9/21

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interested in reading this and more? Use the code&nbsp;<strong>AlPops30</strong>&nbsp;for 30% off a&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/?brand=next">Prep Redzone Next Subscription</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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_632b93a869ac0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["452226"],"_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 seems like every year the state of Alabama is home to some very impressive eighth-grade Running Backs, that are simply playing at a higher level than the majority around the country. Right now, an early favorite of mine in the class of 2027 is Oxford's [player_tooltip player_id='452226' first='Jiyez' last='Fleming']. At 5-foot-11 and 170-pounds, he just looks, runs and plays different. He's high cut with skinny ankles and becomes thicker in the hamstrings, squads and backside. Can squat north of 300 pounds already and has an ideal build for a Running Back getting ready to transition to high school. Also a standout basketball player, he's an all-around stud athlete. Doesn't have elite speed, but still runs very well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c894ce"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632b944269ac4","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["355956"],"_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 Quarterbacks are dropping back and reading the field when playing against the Fort Myers Firecats this season, they may want to avoid throwing it anywhere near the kid wearing No.3 in Red and White.  Blanks III is a really good-looking athlete with a skillset that can translate to any number of positions on the field. I was tempted to list him as an Athlete from what I've seen him do at Quarterback and Wide Receiver, but his best spot has to be the Cornerback position.  For only being 5-foot-6, he has unproportionally long limbs, which makes him very good in coverage. Surprisingly physical and not afraid to jam at the line of scrimmage, as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c8951a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632b946969ac5","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378392"],"_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":"Class of 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='378392' first='Emerson' last='Lewis'] has some pretty big shoes to fill and some pressure to continue the lineage of Lewis brothers to make it to the Division One level of college football. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Athlete is the little brother of [player_tooltip player_id='93958' first='Fuches' last='Lewis'], a Defensive Lineman at Georgia State and Langston Lewis, a Wide Receiver at Central Michigan. From what I've seen to this point in his middle school career, I think Emerson has the potential to be the best of the trio. Seeing him live this summer as a member of the Georgia Future Stars team, he was the first prospect that caught my eye at practice the first day. He's absolutely chiseled for only being in eighth-grade and I don't recall seeing him drop a single ball. A respectful kid who answered with smiles and u0022yes siru0022 when i asked about his brother, he's already attracting interest from the next level. He picked up his first offer from the University of Incarnate Word this past July. Expect several more to come.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c8954b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632b948b69ac6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["427555"],"_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":"There should be a lot of optimism about the potential of 6-foot-3, 200-pound [player_tooltip player_id='427555' first='Luke' last='Brewer'] of Norwalk, Iowa. While certainly very far from a finished product,  there's no denying the size and length of Brewer, who boasts an 80-inch wingspan along with his height. Plays for both Norwalk Middle School and Team Iowa, the latter being a team that plays in several national travel ball tournaments. For both of those teams Brewer sees time at Wide Receiver, Outside Linebacker and/or the Edge position. He's a bit of a tweener right now since he's not fast enough to be a true Wide Receiver, yet needs to add strength and overall athletic ability to be a true threat as a Tight End.  Locally he's one of the better players but, to scale across the country, there's significant room for growth. All that said, there's something to Brewer and he does have pieces","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c89578"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632b94e469ac7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444463"],"_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 need everyone in the greater DFW area, everyone in Texas and everyone around the country to get very familiar with 2027 Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='444463' first='Dhillon' last='McGee'].  This kid is already extremely special and only going to continue to get better. By now many college football and recruit fans know about [player_tooltip player_id='404081' first='Ethan' last='Feaster'], the current eighth-grader closing in 10 offers already. However, his teammate wearing jersey number two, McGee, is seemingly flying a little lower under the radar...and he shouldn't be.  At 6-foot-1 and 155-pounds he is a freaky athlete. He has the speed, size, athleticism, vision and any other asset the top prospects in the nation has. Playing this year for the DEA Dragons 13U travel team, in addition to playing for McGowan Middle School, he'll likely be at DeSoto High School next year. McGee and Feaster are two of the most elite 2027 prospects in the country and to have those two running together is an embarrassment of riches. This is a can't miss FBS prospect who should be getting a ton of early recruitment.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c895a6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632b950869ac8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["447440"],"_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":"Each season athletes from the 757 Colts, arguably the top travel ball team in Virginia, pick up scholarship offers before they even start high school. This year is no different, with Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='447440' first='Ty'jae' last='Curtis'] having recently picked up his first offer from the legendary Deion Sanders and Jackson State. I had the opportunity to watch Curtis play live this summer and I can see why the early offer came. The kid is electric with the ball in his hands. In addition he's a Swiss Army Knife when it comes to his skill set. Has no problem playing in the Slot or as a Cornerback, in addition to his natural position of Running Back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c895cd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632cba197088d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212374"],"_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 make no bones about the fact that I'm a big fan of football players who also Wrestle and participate in Track and Field, Haynie checks both those boxes. At 5-foot-10 and 175-pounds, he's a strong, physical kid that excels at all three sports in the Cornhusker State. First looking at last year's wrestling season, he was the Nebraska AAU State Champion at 171-pounds and finished his season 33-2 with a staggering 28 pins. In fact, he won the AAU State Championship with a pin in just 50 seconds. On the track, has been clocked as fast as an 11.95 in the 100M and finished third at the USATF Nebraska Junior Olympics. His accomplishments in both of this sports should come as no surprise, given his ability as a Running Back and Linebacker on the football field. Whether it's tackling a ball carrier with a double leg take down (wrestling) or running for a touchdown himself (track and field) the proof is there for Haynie.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65f8817c895f8"} /-->