Crackin’ Pads: 2027 Prospects To Know – 10/27

<!-- 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 down the stretch of youth and middle school football around the country, below is a look at some class of 2027 prospects (athletes in 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_634426fdf2229","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["472402"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eShackelford is a powerful, athletic kid with a high ceiling. He's got a great frame with a powerful lower half. He shows that he has the strength to dominate smaller linemen across from him. On offense, he does a good job using his strength and size to his advantage fo help open holes for his backs or giving his quarterback time to throw. On defense, he's often blowing up plays before they can even develop and causing havoc in opposing teams' backfield. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63442775f222a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378357"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eMalone is a versatile athlete who excels with the ball in his hands. His coaches do a great job moving him around and getting him into space. Once the ball is in his hands he has the speed and vision to pick up large chunk yards. He's a game-changer who opposing defenses know they need to key in on. On the defensive side of the ball, where I feel he's best-suited, he's a ballhawk who often finds himself in a great position to either break up the pass or intercept it. He's got a promising future in a talent-rich state. Only thing missing from his game right now is size, but that should come as he matures.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63442a59f222b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["469472"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe term country strong is quite fitting for James, as the 6-foot, 240-pound lineman is already benching nearly 300 pounds. The kind of strength allows him to do a good job of shedding his blockers and creating depth in the backfield. As an interior defensive guy, he has a nonstop motor and has a knack of finding the football quickly. Also has the ability to chase down plays going away from him. On offense he does a nice job setting the edge and is always football savvy enough to know when to get to the second level to pick up a block. Overall, he's a solid anchor on either side of the line and should be a player who contributes quickly at the next level. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63442a8bf222c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471041"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAs an eighth-grader grader, Williams is an advanced route-runner. He does a nice job setting up the opposing defensive back with head and hip fakes and is fluid in and out of his breaks. This allows him to quickly gain separation, and get open for fellow 2027 prospect, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='471040' first='Brandon' last='Coronado']. He does a great job using his body to shield opposing defenders, fights through traffic well and is a big yard-after-the-catch player who can help move the chains. He certainly has the makings of a big-time player-maker at the next level. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63442c71f222d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["416392"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eSpeed. Vision. Elusiveness. Just a few words that describe the running style of [player_tooltip player_id='416392' first='Jerry' last='Beard']. He runs with great pad level, hits the hole hard and has the ability to change direction on a dime. He runs with good power, always falls forward and has the strength and toughness to fight through contact. He's got the speed and quickness to get to the edge and the toughness and power to pick up yards up the middle. Once in the open field he's tough to bring down which is what allows him to pick up big chunk yards. Plays in a very competitive Gwinnett Football League down in Georgia and is tested weekly. Beard is a kid that I feel will explode on the high school level when he gets his shot.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63442d2af222e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471544"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eOne look at his take and you can quickly see that Bernard is a mauler. He's got the u0022dog in himu0022 that the good ones develop early. He gets into the defender quickly, locks on and doesn't stop until he pancakes him. He has a strong frame, the quickness to pull and does a good job keeping his feet moving. As he continues to grow and get strong he could become one of the top prospects along the line in the Keystone State in the coming years. His father is a Temple University football alumn, and along with his identical twin [player_tooltip player_id='471545' first='Preston' last='Bernard'], the duo is doing everything they can to follow in their dad's footsteps. Stay on the look out here.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63442d87f222f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["470149"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eHailing from the Volunteer State, Belyeu is a powerful runner who runs with good balance and quickness. He's got a strong mid-frame which allows him to utilize power and swiftness when running the rock. He has good strength and vision with the ability to make one cut an go. He also has the ability to find cutback lanes and is always a threat with the ball in his hands, as he scored 19 touchdowns this season. At 5-foot-10 and 190-pounds already, there's no questioning his size and his proficiency at running people over. However, at the next level, running over Seniors that are 18-year old men won't be as easy. He's a hard worker in the off-season and with added speed he could become a very productive weapon to watch over the next four years.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->