The Runway: C/O 2027 Prospects to Know Before H.S. – 9/19

<!-- 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_632881f2edd91","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444725"],"_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":"In a recent newspaper article a coach was quoted as saying the Metro South Conference in the greater Birmingham area was essentially the SEC of middle school/junior high football in Alabama. If that's the narrative we're going with, then it shouldn't be a surprise to see Cowley included in this write up. The Berry Middle School prospect is one of the most exciting Running Backs in the state with his combination of speed and hands. At 5-foot-8 and 150-pounds he's your average-sized eighth-grade back, but his acceleration is different. Was an All-Metro selection a year ago as a seventh grader and should take home the honor again this year, too. Not just a one-trick pony, he plays Safety on the defensive side of the ball and is also a standout baseball player. Really looking forward to seeing how he progresses, as he gets ready to head off to Spain Park High School next year, where he should be a much-needed shot in the arm for a struggling program that's currently 1-4.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6328821dedd92","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404913"],"_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":"Finney Jr. is a really talented prospect I like out of Southern California. In fact, a year ago, he was one of the first 2027 prospects I covered on PRZ Next. Last year played for the OG Ducks organization and caught my eye as a seventh-grader playing up on the eventual AYF National Championship team, comprised mostly of eighth-graders. This year, Finny Jr. u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eIS u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ean eighth-grader is playing for the OC Buckeyes and is really starting to come along as one of the top Defensive Backs in the country. His ability to play at a high level on both sides of the ball is why I've left him as an Athlete, but I think he's certainly starting to fit in that DB mold long term. He first rocked the boat of the recruiting world back in 2017 when he was verbally offered a scholarship by the University of Nevada at nine-years old. Yes, you read that right.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6328826cedd93","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":419402,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hands down one of the fastest 2027 prospects in the nation, Stevens was clocked at an 11.22 in the 100M dash this past May. Stevens runs track and plays football for the Golden Army Carol City Chiefs, one of top programs in the nation, based out of Miami-Dade County. At 5-foot-10 and 150-pounds, he's a threat wherever he lines up on the field offensively. This year has been seeing a lot of time at both Running Back and Wide Receiver for the Chiefs and is simply playing at a different speed than the other guys on the field, which is saying something when you consider the fast brand of football in South Florida. Has the added benefit of playing for a very loaded team, including his quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='409921' first='Derrick' last='Baker'], who we've covered on the site before, Stevens' older brother, u003cstrongu003eJa'vieane Stevensu003c/strongu003e, is 2023 Edge prospect at Dunbar High School with offers from UMass, Coastal Carolina, Rutgers, South Carolina and UCF. I fully expect Ah'Mari to get similar attention from schools at that level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63288298edd94","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416494"],"_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":"On a Milton eighth-grade team in Georgia that features many talented class of 2027 athletes, including big [player_tooltip player_id='415080' first='Chris' last='Hunter'], Haviland has surmounted himself as the go-to target on the outside for the Eagles. Having a younger prospect in 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='410849' first='Pierson' last='Degala'] at Quarterback, Haviland and Degala have developed some nice chemistry. Haviland is 6-foot-2 and 165-pounds and is a mismatch wherever he lines up. With his athleticism, he's a walking mismatch at Tight End for most Linebackers. At Wide Receiver his size and physicality make it a nightmare for Defensive Backs to step to, usually requiring help over the top from a Safety. Haviland is that new breed of WR/TE hybrids that are finding a ton of success on the college/NFL level right now. Can also play the Edge position on Defense, as a hybrid Outside Linebacker and Defensive End. His length make its hard for Offensive Tackles to block him there. All in all, an excellent football player and his physical development should dictate what position(s) he ends up at down the line.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_632882d7edd95","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437905"],"_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":"Green is a very intriguing prospect for a number of reasons, chief amongst them being his size, as he is already 6-foot-4 and 170-pounds. Make no bones about it, Green is going to be a bit of a project through the ranks and physical development is going to be a big part of his future. He's a member of the feeder program for Lutcher High School, which last won a state title in 2006. I have him listed as a Defensive Lineman right now and envision him as a long, lean Defensive End type in a 4-3 defensive scheme. With that said, over his last few games he has played some Outside Linebacker and is having success. When looking for a comparison in terms of ability and upside, I see a lot former LSU Tiger and first-round pick Barkevious Mingo. Mingo was a 6-foot-5, 235-pound Outside Linebacker/Edge Rusher that was that hybrid type. Right now, Green looks headed down that same path.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6328830bedd96","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["427417"],"_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 really became enamored with Lazarre-Botello last year as a seventh-grader when I watched his film. He cemented my favorable thoughts with a very good performance at the Prep Redzone Next Midwest Showcase last year, earning All-Showcase honors despite being one of the younger linemen there.  Fast forward to this season and the 6-foot-1, 255-pounder is again dominating on both sides of the ball for the Southfield Falcons 13U ream. As an Offensive Guard he's a stellar run blocker and is one of the big guys up front that is allowing Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='427440' first='Djuan' last='Edwards'] to run wild every game. He moves very well for a big man and plays with the nastiness you want to see in an Offensive Lineman, consistently pancaking guys, driving them into the ground and finishing with violence. Has also started to emerge and really take off as a Defensive Tackle too. Strong, explosive off the snap and that same physically he has on offense, makes him tough to block.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6328832fedd97","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444625"],"_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 fully admitting I haven't been able to see as much of Abella this year, as I have gotten to watch other Quarterbacks, I like what I see in the bit I have seen. Standing 5-foot-11 and 135-pounds, he's on the smaller/more slender side for a 2027 Quarterback right now. What sticks out to me the most is the poise he plays with. On film, he doesn't seem to get rattled easily and stays calm when the pocket is collapsing around him. Shows encouraging athleticism and has even returned kicks and punts earlier in his youth career, showing his obvious dual-threat ability. Does a good job of throwing on the run, specifically to the left side of the field, as he is a southpaw. Does a good job of staying on top of the ball throughout his motion, which limits the amount of passes that sail on him.  Not ready to declare him a future FBS-level Quarterback just yet, but there is absolutely the potential to continue to grow into that. There's a lot of juice left to be squeezed in Abella. Keep him on your radar, I know he's staying on mine.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->