The Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 9/13

<!-- 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_631f83a97478a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["440301"],"_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":"Bumpus Middle School is one of the feeder programs for Hoover High School, currently ranked No.7 in Alabama. At the helm of the 3-and-1, eighth-grade Bumpus team is Harris.  Harris is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound, dual-threat quarterback with a very strong arm that he uses to spark an offense that is averaging 26 points per game, in the three games they've won. What he does on the football field is only trumped by his accomplishments on the baseball field. He's widely thought of as a one of the top Pitchers in the country, already hitting 83 mph with his fastball. He brings that same arm strength to the football field, along with a gunslinger mentality that allows for him to fit passes into very tight windows. Without knowing much about the prep baseball world, I have to believe his future is in that sport. However, I also think there's enough talent in Harris where he could have his choice of sports to play at 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_631f84247478b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["429564"],"_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":"Even in the eighth-grade, I want a Wide Receiver that plays with confidence and swagger. Porfilio, who is more commonly known as u0022Cashu0022, is exactly that type of player. Having a chance to see him live this summer, I really like what he brings to the field. He trusts his ability and is sure that he's going to come down with the ball, but isn't obnoxious about it. At 6-foot-2 and 160-pounds, he's one of the many weapons lining up for the OC Ducks this season. The Ducks are once again a loaded squad with Cash joining the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='404833' first='Caleb' last='Bey Jr.'] (Running Back), [player_tooltip player_id='283636' first='Kelton' last='Strickland'](Running Back) and [player_tooltip player_id='400854' first='Furian' last='Inferrera'] (Quarterback), just to name a few. He's a hard-working athlete who puts in hours of extra work training after practice and in the off-season. With his length and a Trinity League school likely on the horizon in high school, he'll be a highly recruited player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631f84727478c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["425370"],"_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":"Like [player_tooltip player_id='440301' first='Judson' last='Harris'] above, Hauser looks to be up next at Buford High School in Georgia. It shouldn't come as any surprise that many of the top 2027 prospects come from feeder systems to some of the best high schools in each state. Buford is currently ranked No.1 in Georgia and No.6 in the nation.  Hauser is one of the many reasons the Buford eighth-grade team is 4-0, and just like the high school team, is also undefeated on the year. He capped off their most recent victory with a 92-yard house call interception, breaking several tackles on his way to a touchdown. At 5-foot-10 and 140-pounds he has ideal size for a Defensive Back getting ready to enter the high school ranks. At this level he can play both Corner and Safety, but looking ahead, I see him as a Strong Safety that can really make it difficult to throw or run on. He obviously has the ball skills to intercept some passes but I love what he brings in run support. He's a very good tackler and could essentially act as another Linebacker walked down into the box if needed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631f85517478d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325194"],"_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":"Athletes coming out of Iowa need to work a little bit harder for that early recruiting attention because it's not the fertile recruiting ground of that of a Florida, Georgia, California or Texas. That said, Smith is starting to make some early waves with schools starting to know his name. At 5-foot-9 and 155-pounds, he has spent the last few seasons as a member of Team Iowa, a highly competitive travel team out of the Hawkeye State. To this point his main position has been Wide Receiver, but I'm not convinced that's where he ends up long term. Physically he's rocked up with strong shoulders/arms/hands. From what I've seen, he's fast enough but doesn't have blazing speed on the outside. His routes aren't the crispest, but he seems to always be able to make a play. I'd be interested to see him line up at Running Back, since he has handled kickoff return duty. I would also be willing to bet he can crack some heads defensively. He's already camped at Iowa and has had positive conversations there.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631f85d47478e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["427440"],"_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":"Edwards is a Running Back I'm absolutely falling in love with, the more film I get to watch of him. At 5-foot-10 and 173-pounds he passes the eye test right away and can run with power and speed, whenever the situation dictates it. Furthermore, he is also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield on wheel routes and screens. Also can play Corner or Outside Linebacker on defense, but he looks every bit like a future P5 Running Back. Playing for the Southfield Falcons and running behind the likes of big [player_tooltip player_id='427417' first='Vincent' last='Lazarre-Botello'] up front, he is arguably the top offensive weapon on one of the top travel ball teams in all of the Mid-West. Edwards should have many of Detroit's top private schools wanting him to attend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631f86447478f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438918"],"_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 super-talented three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football) coming out of Columbus, Mississippi, Tippett is one to keep on your radar. At 5-foot-9 and 150-pounds he's the son of a basketball coach and his best sport is probably basketball right now with his ability to make plays happen as a Point Guard. However, it's that same quickness, awareness and vision that also make him a standout Running Back. He doesn't do a lot of dancing or waste steps after the handoff. From the second he has the ball, starts attacking the line of scrimmage and finds an opening to scoot through. I'm a big fan of how quickly he can accelerate, getting to full speed in just a few steps. Not sure how far his football career can go vis-a-vis his basketball or baseball career, but he's a very good-looking athlete.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_631f869074790","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["427533"],"_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":"One of the top 2027 signal-callers in the state of New Jersey, Foulke is quickly becoming a highly sought after prospect among private high schools in South Jersey and Philadelphia. Standing somewhere in-between the 5-foot-10 and 6-foot, and 160-pounds, he has a promising build before getting ready for high school next year.  As mentioned above, there are a number of private schools already reaching out to Foulke, who is currently QB1 of the Eastern Vikings in New Jersey. Foulke is the straw that stirs the drink offensively, on a team with a number of the Garden State's top 2027 talent including [player_tooltip player_id='415328' first='Ausar' last='Heard'] (Athlete), [player_tooltip player_id='415073' first='Masiia' last='Acrey'] (Running Back) and [player_tooltip player_id='431488' first='Dariel' last='Jaquez'] (Wide Receiver).  Foulke does a masterful of throwing a ball with touch to his plethora of weapons on the outside. Has already visited a number of FBS programs such as Georgia, Boston College and other. He should start to see more this off-season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->