The Runway: C/O 2027 Prospects to Know Before H.S. – 9/16

<!-- 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_6324704ac7f58","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437687"],"_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 you're the younger brother of class of 2025 Athlete u003cstrongu003eQuincy Porteru003c/strongu003e, who has picked up five offers since May, you better be ready for some lofty expectations. [player_tooltip player_id='437687' first='Bryan' last='Porter'], the u0022little brotheru0022 is ready for those expectations and more with his prowess on the football field. Growing up just eight miles from the state line into New York City, Porter had a tremendous youth career with his hometown New Milford Knights up through this year. This season he's joining a number of New Jersey's other top 2027 prospects on the Silk City Elite, including [player_tooltip player_id='344093' first='Kobe' last='St.Hilaire'] and [player_tooltip player_id='431426' first='Mikahi' last='Allen']. Porter has played mostly Running Back during his youth career but at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds and showing no signs of being close to done growing, I'm seeing him as more of an Athlete as he gets sets to transition into high school ball. Playing the schedule that Silk City Elite has on tap this year, he's certainly preparing himself for the next level.  I'd be shocked if he didn't end up at Bergen Catholic with his brother next fall. Stay tuned, he should be a highly recruited prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632472eec7f59","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["447339"],"_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":"Any time an opposing team has to line up and worry about multiple elite athletes a single team, it makes for a tough matchup. Like [player_tooltip player_id='437687' first='Bryan' last='Porter'] listed above, [player_tooltip player_id='447339' first='DJ' last='Reese'] takes the field for Strike Middle School in Little Elm, Texas with some of the top 2027 prospects in the greater Dallas area. Reese is a 5-foot-9 speedster that can create after that catch among the best in the country at this point. It helps having a Quarterback like [player_tooltip player_id='378817' first='Tre' last='Williams'] and freaky threats such as 6-foot-4 [player_tooltip player_id='408582' first='Zane' last='Rowe'] and 6-foot-3 [player_tooltip player_id='403868' first='Taelyn' last='Mayo'] to give a burner like Reese some space. Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins is one of the best players in the world right now...and I'm not saying Reese is that; But what I am saying, is that Reese plays a very similar style to Hill. He can get vertical and beat a lot of Defensive Backs off the line but his true ability is felt on underneath and shorter routes, which allow him to catch and run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6324731ac7f5a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378957"],"_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 recently put out a u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/AlPopsFootball/status/1569345445976997888?s=20u0026amp;t=ePTSn9pHWEz7ZWk4x0rI3gu0022u003etweetu003c/au003e that contained a shirtless picture of Brown during a work and it went pretty viral because of his absolutely insane build, for just being in the eighth-grade. Looks like an action figure, shredded and has a frame with a ton of muscle. Standing 5-foot-8 and 175-pounds he's your classic Running Back with triple threat ability, meaning he can carry, catch and block at a very high level. Exploded onto the scene last year during the Carolina Bowl, scoring four touchdowns in North Carolina's victory over South Carolina. Drawing a comparison to an NFL player right now, I can't see how anyone could pick anybody else but Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants. They are both very strong, thick backs that can both break a defender's ankles or bowl them over, depending on the situation. Look for continued big things out of Brown.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63247680c7f5b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["447350"],"_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-3 and 170-pounds, Bonner is a really good-looking class of 2027 prospect at the Wide Receiver position. Given his size he's an obvious downfield threat can stretch the field vertically and absolutely go get it when the ball is thrown up to him. Watching him play, Bonner plays the Wide Receiver position angry. Whether he's hand fighting with a Defensive Back, attempting to block downfield, or breaking tackles after a catch, he brings an attitude. Does a great job of exploding off the line of scrimmage and easily swatting away Corners who attempt to jam him at the line. Also does an excellent job of tracking the ball in the air and makes catching passes with turbulence around him look mundane. Living out in Pittsburgh, which is Western Pennsylvania, he's one that both Tiquan Underwood (Pittsburgh Panthers WR coach) and Taylor Stubblefield (Penn State WR coach) should look at early.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63247780c7f5c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444734"],"_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 quick look around the landscape of college and professional football will tell you that a confident, competent leader at the Quarterback position is a big factor in a team's success. Thomas plays that role for the Smiths Station Junior High Panthers. Located less than 40-minutes from Auburn, Thomas is a 5-foot-11, 155-pound, dual-threat Quarterback that is one of the unquestioned leaders of his team. After ending up on the wrong side of a 46-0 thrashing to kick off the season in late August, Thomas and the Panthers have rebounded nicely with impressive play. Running around with 4.88 (unverified) speed, he doesn't try to do too much. However, he can also extend plays with his legs to give his playmakers, like Jaylen Huff and [player_tooltip player_id='447365' first='Trevon' last='Kee'], a chance to do something spectacular.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632479b3c7f5d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632479dc1a7e7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437659"],"_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":"As always, I attempt to make it a point to point out, that most traditional public high schools in the country aren't just a flash in the pan when it comes to football success. Those top high school programs will often have the top feeder programs in the state as well. That's certainly the case with Grayson High School, who currently sits ranked No.6 in Georgia and 18th in the nation. I say all of that to express that the Rams are in good hands with the 2027 prospects they have coming in next year, like [player_tooltip player_id='437659' first='London' last='Goggans']. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound athlete is one of the top kids in the state in both football and basketball. He's long-limbed, has excellent muscle mass relative to his position and can jump out of the gym. Alongside several other 2027 Grayson eighth-graders, namely [player_tooltip player_id='416419' first='Rilee' last='Drew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='416407' first='Preston' last='Glasco'], Goggans has already visited Georgia Tech and Auburn. As he gets ready to transition into high school, expect to hear a lot more about Goggans in both sports.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63247a8f1a7e8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["445378"],"_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":"While watching film on teammate and fellow 2027 prospect Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='445341' first='Jackson' last='Smith'], my eyes kept getting drawn to big No.72 for the Arcanum-Butler Trojans. At 6-foot-2 and 230-pounds, Rogers is one of the big guys up front that has helped Smith and the Trojans outscore their opponents 88-6 over the last two weeks. Extremely athletic for a bigger kid at this age, he's able to pull and lead back from both Right Guard and Left Guard. Also climbs the ladder with ease to get up to the next level and continue blocking downfield. What really impressed me, and what speaks volumes about what he brings to the table athletically, is that in their most recent game he lined up as a Fullback on a play from the five-yard line. At the snap he u0022snooku0022 through the A-gap and ran a pattern as an eligible receiver. While he didn't get the ball, it was easy to see the big man isn't just a big body...he can actually move too!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->