The Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 9/15

<!-- 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_6320a3a31a08b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444280"],"_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 big, powerful, throwback Mike Linebacker that plays the position the way it was designed to be played.  Standing 6-foot and 210-pounds, he's a physical backer with good size and a muscular build. Very thick neck and broad shoulders. Plays aggressive and downhill at all times. Not just an A-Gap blitz stuffer, he shows pretty good athleticism in relation to his size and the position. While Linebacker looks like his position of the future, he can also get it done offensively. Certainly a mismatch from a physicality standpoint, he can line up at Tight End or Wide Receiver to pick up yards on quick hitting pass plays. Has the ability to take a handoff as well in short yardage. Also a standout on the basketball court as a Power Forward/Center for the Carolina Swarm.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6320a3c11a08c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438050"],"_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":"Leutele is a 2027 prospect I love watching on film with the way he plays the skill positions. Very much the definition of the Athlete position right now, he has (can/will continue to) play Wide Receiver, Running Back, Free Safety, Strong Safety and some Corner. Passes the eye-test right away at 6-foot and 170-pounds. Projecting ahead, Leutele is a kid I can see being a big-time P5 Safety with his skill set. Fast and aggressive with great ball skills. Just an attacking style of play on both sides of the ball. Willingness to make a big hit if making a play on the ball isn't possible. Playing this season for the IB Braves before heading off to, from what I can only imagine, will be his choice of high school in the Trinity League.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6320a3f61a08d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["439058"],"_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 270-pounds in just the eighth-grade, Mathis should be garnering a ton of recruiting attention early. That early attention has actually already kicked off, as he was invited and attended a Georgia Tech game early this season. His height and weight are impressive to begin with, but add in his build and it's easy to see why he's already an ACC/SEC target. He's big and thick, but has a lot of muscle mass already. Is physically developed with minimal baby fat, relative to his size. Not to mention, a 79-inch wing span at just 14-years old.  Lives only 40 minutes from the University of Georgia and currently attends Banks County Middle School. Looks to be the Left Tackle of the future in Homer, Georgia.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6320a4291a08e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438731"],"_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 son of former Weber State Free Safety Ty Sparrow, Bode appears to be on the same trajectory as his dad in terms of playing at the next level. While Dad played at 6-foot-4, Bode is already up to 6-foot and 170-pounds with a good build. Another kid that has the athleticism and ability to play a number of positions right now, leading him to be listed as an Athlete.  Can play Running Back or Wide Receiver depending on need and is also a Special Teams ace as a Returner. Plays with an attitude and seemingly takes as much pride as a downfield blocker, as he does as a ball carrier.  What's scary is that football may not even be his best sport. He also made the Prep Hoops Next class of 2027 top prospects list. Will be interesting to watch him continue to develop, but he certainly look like a projected FBS player, right now.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6320a49486d18","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437912"],"_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='438731' first='Bode' last='Sparrow'] above, Giametta III is another prospect who is a standout on the gridiron, but football may not even be his best sport. The son of a former Texas State football player, who was a member of the 2005 D1-AA Semifinalist team, the genetics are in his favor.  On the football field, he's a very good-looking prospect at 6-foot-2 and 200-pounds. Physically he has an ideal frame and can play a plethora of positions, but Tight End and Defensive End seem to be where he's at his best. Obviously on the taller side, but it's his length and upside that have people like me excited on the football field.  However, again, football may not even be his best sport. The big righty is a power hitter in baseball and already has a fastball that's been clocked at 87 mph. Can also play in the outfield. Versatility and athleticism should take Giametta III very far 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_6320a4d186d19","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379018"],"_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":"An explosive running with advanced-vision, Burg is a 2027 Running Back to be very optimistic about. I had an opportunity to watch Burg up close this summer as he played for South Carolina in the Future Stars Game(s). A combination of genetics and hard work have him pretty rocked up already in terms of muscle at 5-foot-8 and 155-pounds. Also a wrestler, he's a strong kid with very good sudden bursts and balance. Runs downhill with bad intentions and doesn't waste many steps getting from point A to point B. If he can add a bit more wiggle to his running style, would help him in the long run. As of right now, doesn't have to juke much because he's on another level athletically than most kids he's lined up across from. Keep an eye on Burg as he develops and heads into high school.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6320a4f486d1a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["431328"],"_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":"Cut from a very similar mold as fellow 2027 prospect (listed above) [player_tooltip player_id='444280' first='Jordan' last='Hamm'] of North Carolina, Butler is a New Jersey wrecking ball. Always the hammer and never the nail, he's a snot-bubble causing Middle Linebacker and Fullback. Some kids are just born to be violent on the football field, and that describes Butler. In looking for comparisons at the NFL level that first player that came to mind was five-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl Champion, and Pittsburgh Steeler-great James Harrison. It's the mean-streak and constant-threat of Butler that can get lost on a Glassboro team that also features athletic Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='431243' first='Davon' last='Barr'] and elite Athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='426571' first='Xavier' last='Sabb'] who already holds an offer from Oregon. With the Fullback position all but a memory in the NFL, Butler looks like a future Linebacker to me. While he has improved from what I've seen on film, continued work on straight-line speed and refining the angles he takes as he approaches to make a tackle will only make him better.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->