Al Pops’ Class of 2027 Prospect Evaluations – 10/18
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Interested in reading this and more? Use the code AlPops30 for 30% off a Prep Redzone Next Subscription 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…
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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.
The son of the late Jason Bronson, who played at Oklahoma before serving as a Student Assistant on the 2000 National Championship team, Canon Bronson Canon Bronson 6’1″ | 185 lbs | QB Deer Creek | 2027 OK appears to be on the same trajectory to the next level. At 6-foot-1 and 185-pounds, he’s a big-bodied Quarterback with a very strong right arm. Whether it be genetics, good coaching, natural ability or a combination of the three, there’s some big time potential here. Great footwork from the second he receives the snap and near flawless mechanics, from what I’ve seen on film. Can move the pocket and is very accurate while passing on the move. Also shows the ability to keep it himself and run–he’s a load to bring down in open field for middle school Defensive Backs. He’s off to Deer Creek High School next year, where the Antlers are currently 6-1 and ranked No.12 in the state.
We’ve recently taken a look at both Kellen Greene Kellen Greene 6’0″ | 160 lbs | QB Wilson | 2027 PA and Michael Glover Michael Glover 6’3″ | 215 lbs | TE Wilson | 2027 State PA as 2027 prospects to know in Pennsylvania. Today we look at the third member of the three-headed monster at Wilson West Middle School in Pennsylvania. Greer has a similar build to Greene, as he currently stands 5-foot-10 and 150-pounds. Just looks like an athlete, put together well. Also a standout on the same basketball team as the other two. Very explosive athlete who runs the ball very hard and has no problem pulling away in open field. Has the vision and anticipation to see holes and cutback lanes forming before they actually do. Also a stud as a Kick and Punt Returner, in addition to a super athletic Outside Linebacker. The sky is the limit for this kid, at this point.
All it took was one 10 second clip for me to be really interested in what Jackson brings to the table as a football player. After doing more research on the Brandenburg Middle School student-athlete, my eyes were right…he can go. At 6-foot and 155-pounds he has really good length and size for just being in the eighth-grade. However, what separates him from other promising prospects gifted with that size, is his speed. Jackson makes everybody else on the field look like they are moving in slow motion right now. Whether he’s lined up at Wide Receiver and taking a simple slant to the house or playing defense and chasing down plays from behind, his speed is unmatched. He’s been verified at a 10.8 in the 100M and 22.5 in the 200M, making him not only one of the fastest kids in the DFW Metroplex, but in the entire state. Early indications are him becoming a big time Wide Receiver prospect but there’s something about him as an Outside Linebacker/Safety/Rover type of player that has me fired up. Stay tuned here.
Highlights
Anniston High School in Alabama is sitting at 8-0 right now and is currently ranked No.20 in the state. The talent-rich program has some obvious talent at the high school level and will be brining some promising 2027 prospects next year like Athlete Jayden Heard Jayden Heard ATH AL and today’s focus, Sharontae Bailey Sharontae Bailey 6’4″ | 285 lbs | OL Anniston | 2027 AL . To my knowledge Bailey doesn’t have any social media or any Hudl film at this point, but there are clips of him blocking for Heard and it’s awesome to watch. I don’t have official size on Bailey either but he has good size. What has me excited, and what should have the Anniston faithful excited is how he moves for a big man. He’s big and strong enough to pancake Defensive Linemen lined up across from him but also agile enough to pull and block Defensive Backs in space. Also climbs the ladder well and can get up to the next level and block downfield. Be excited Bulldog fans, Bailey looks like a good one.
Imagine you’re a Linebacker on defense, defending your own goal line and then you see all 6-foot and 200-pounds of Tyson come into the game at Running Back. It can’t be a great feeling to see a kid who plays along the Defensive Line on defense, come in and run the ball down your throat. However, that’s what Tyson does as a Running Back. He’s a big, solid kid who runs downhill with authority. That power and short yardage quickness should come at no surprise when looking at his genetics. His father, DeAngelo, was a Defensive Tackle at Georgia under Mark Richt and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. He went on to play in the NFL for a few seasons with the Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. The younger Tyson is already seeing the recruiting process begin, having already visited Auburn. He may eventually out grow the Running Back position but he is certainly an Athlete to keep an eye on.
While the above-mentioned Brayden Tyson Brayden Tyson 6’0″ | 215 lbs | RB Brookwood | 2027 State GA may outgrow the Running Back position from a power and build standpoint, Illinois 2027 prospect Tavares Harrington Tavares Harrington 6’2″ | 180 lbs | DB Mt. Carmel | 2027 IL may eventually get too tall for the position. Already a 6-footer and weighing 140-pounds, Harrington is a really exciting athlete to watch player for the Napervile Patriots team this year. Flanked by a number of promising prospects like Quentin Burrell Quentin Burrell 6’2″ | 180 lbs | WR Chicago Mount Carmel | 2027 IL , Josiah Wallace Josiah Wallace 6’6″ | 250 lbs | OL IL and 2028 Quarterback Ryder Startz Ryder Startz QB IL , Harrington could be the most fun to watch on film. Blessed with long legs he has pretty good speed at this point and almost looks like he’s galloping when in open field. In the film I’ve seen, he’s moved around in pre-snap motion and doesn’t miss a beat. To me he looks like a future Wide Receiver or Safety (which he plays on defense) with the edge going to Wide Receiver based off what I’ve seen him do with the ball in his hands. He’ll be exciting to watch develop over the next four years.
Highlights
Got a chance to see Lora live this summer and he was one of the first kids I took a liking to. At 5-foot-9 and 140-pounds Lora is an exciting Wide Receiver with exceptional quickness. Being from Massachusetts he doesn’t face the elite competition week-in and week-out like some of the prospects from the likes of Georgia, Texas, Florida or California; However, when he was lined up against kids from those states he proved he belonged. Though he is equally as impressive as a Defensive Back, I really like Lora’s future as Wide Receiver. His quickness, agility and ability to allude would-be tacklers in close proximity is impressive. Can take short screens the distance or execute End-arounds with ease. While certainly a deep threat, he also isn’t afraid to go across the middle. No alligator arms here. Lora is already attracting some looks from prep schools throughout New England and should be a welcomed addition wherever he lands.