Moving The Chains : 2027 Prospects To Know

<!-- 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_633da18bfdf29","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465532"],"_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;u0022u003eMcKinnon is a 5-foot-11, 160-pound outside linebacker/tight end prospect out of Hoover, Alabama. He does a nice job commanding the defense and is one of the anchors and leaders of the Bumpus. He's not a player that will burn you with elite speed but he's a fundamentally sound player who has sure hands, runs solid routes and can make would-be tacklers miss. Football bloodlines run in the family, as his father Ronald, won the 1995 Harlon Hill Trophy. The Harlon Hill Trophy is the Division II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. The elder Mckinnon is a College Football Hall of Famer and went on to play linebacker in the NFL for nine seasons. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633da18bfdf2a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["429873"],"_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;u0022u003eMoore is a versatile athlete who plays a number of different positions. He's starred at linebacker, running back and wide receiver over the last several seasons. Playing for the talent-rich OC Buckeyes this season, on the defensive side of the ball he does a great job attacking the hole and playing through contact. Shows an advanced ability to read his keys and stay disciplined. When he has to drop back into coverage he is often right in the hip pocket of his man. He has good lateral movement and changes direction on a dime. How much size he continues to pack on should help paint a better picture of what position he will end up at, as he progresses through his career.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633da18bfdf2b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465792"],"_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;u0022u003eWood is an absolute mauler up front. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound lineman is a force to be reckoned with on the line on both sides of the ball. Along the defensive line, he's nearly impossible for smaller lineman to block as he uses his size and strength to his advantage. He's often found in the backfield disrupting plays. On the offensive side of the ball, he has the speed and agility to pull but also does a nice job using his strength to open holes. He's one of the better run blocking offensive linemen I've seen in Texas for the class of 2027. He currently holds his school record for the front squat (315-pounds) and dead life (435-pounds). Watching him continue to get bigger and stronger should be a treat over his high school career.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633da18bfdf2c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409087"],"_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;u0022u003eHicks is another all-around athlete who excels in three sports. On the gridiron, he plays wide receiver and safety and is never tough to spot. With the ball in his hands he's a shifty playmaker who excels in space. He runs crips routes, has fluid hips and his tough to bring down which allows him to pick up chunk yards. This season, for the first time, he's playing alongside another super-talented 2027 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='378392' first='Emerson' last='Lewis']. The duo is a scary one-two punch for defenses to stop. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eOn the defensive side of the ball he does a good job reading the quarterback and is often found near the ball either breaking up the pass or picking it off. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound prospect sure has the chance to be one of the best in his state over the next several seasons. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633da18bfdf2d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["422814"],"_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;u0022u003eBradley is another prospect who uses his strength and mass to his advantage. A 2-time Shot Put National Champion, Bradley is a force along the defensive line. He has a good, quick first step which allows him to defeat blocks with consistency. He's often seen blowing up the middle and creating havoc in the backfield for opposing quarterbacks and running backs. Being on the shorter side at (unofficially) 5-foot-9, he uses leverage to his advantage by staying low to the ground. He's a tough kid and with a fire hydrant build. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf he continues to grow and add even more strength, he could become one of the top defensive linemen in the Cornhusker State for 2027. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633da18bfdf2e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["463312"],"_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;u0022u003eMcCargo is a standup defensive end who showcases a quick first step and does a good job fighting through blockers. He plays with good understanding of leverage at the edge and has the ability to achor the perimeter as a run defender. He applies consistent penetration in the backfield and has fluid hips which allow him to get both north and south, in addition to east and west in a hurry. Where he ends up over the next few years will be determined by how much the 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect continues to grows. PRZ Next National Scouting Director Al Pops saw him live last spring and noted he appears to have gotten significantly quicker in just a few short months. McCargo appears to be a prospect getting ready to hit his stride.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_633da18bfdf2f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378983"],"_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;u0022u003eGordon-Miles is a versatile athlete who can play anywhere on the field. PRZ Next National Scouting Director Al Pops had the opportunity to watch him as part of the South Carolina Future Stars this past summer, and Gordon-Miles was one of the first prospects to stand out. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eLong term, I feel he projects to the wide receiver spot and think he will really excel there. He's a fluid route-runner with great vision and speed. He runs crisp routes, has sure hands, does a nice job high-pointing the football, has breakaway speed, and at times is tough to bring down — all attributes that you want in a wide receiver. At 6-foot and 170-pounds with a great build already, the next four years should be entertaining.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->