Recruiting Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 10/17
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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.
Dallas is a scrappy back coming out of the highly competitive state of Michigan. After checking out his tape, it is clear that he has the speed to break away from everyone else on the field. Along with his unmatched speed, Dallas runs the ball hard and fights through tackles to keep advancing the ball toward the end zone. Another aspect of Moody’s game that jumps out to me is his balance when carrying the ball. There are times throughout his highlight tape where he is getting tripped up by defenders, but he proves to be able to collect his balance and keep moving, all while still running at an elite speed throughout the process. While the bulk of his touches have been as a Running Back, his 6-foot, 170-pound frame in the eighth-grade, could see him play Wide Receiver as he continues to grow.
Victor is another running back that hails from the state of Missouri. Throughout his tape, Victor demonstrates an elite level of speed as he pulls away from the rest of the field. Additionally, Victor plays with a high level of physicality as he shows no problem dropping his shoulder through defenders in his way. Victor also runs with tenacity; when he has the ball in his hand, he shows that he will do everything he can to get into the end zone. Victor is capable of playing at an elite level, he proves that throughout his tape. He also competes in track and field, and is one of the more competitive kids we’ve seen at this level.
Darius is a very intriguing prospect as an Athlete, coming out of of New Jersey. With impressive speed and agility, Darius has shown to be a problem on the offensive side of the ball as both a Running Back and a Slot Receiver. Darius has the speed to get to the edge almost immediately, and once he gets to the second level of the defense, it’s over from there. Darius also showcases an elite level of agility when he has the ball. He has no problem making moves through the defense to avoid tacklers as he advances the ball downfield. Lastly, Darius does a phenomenal job setting up his blocks; he patiently attacks the line of scrimmage and allows his blockers to set up his runs. Darius has an awesome set of highlight tapes, it will be fun to see how he progresses in the future. On the defensive side of the ball, despite giving up significant height, he’s an in-your-face type of Defensive Back that isn’t afraid to get physical at the snap.
Jax has big-time wideout coming out of Long Island in New York. As a 6-foot-3 wideout, Jax runs smooth routes as he works through the defense and seems to be sure-handed, so when he gets targets, he’s not going to drop the ball. With Jax being such a big target, he has no problem going up and getting jump balls in the end zone. Jax also highlights his kicking ability in his tape as well. As a punter, Jax booms the ball downfield and helps flip the field for his team, and forces his opponents to have to work down the field. As a placekicker, Jax has a strong and accurate leg that allows his team to score through field goals if they can’t get into the end zone. Jax proves to have a lot of talent, it will be exciting to see where his career takes him in the future.
Highlights
Benjamin is a do-it-all athlete from the highly recruited state of Ohio. He has literally played six different positions this year. Benjamin has proven to do everything from throwing the ball on trick plays, running the ball out of the backfield, and even going out on routes when he is split out. As he can perform in these various roles at a high level, he can be a nightmare to prepare for on the defensive side of the ball. Coming out of the backfield, Benjamin uses his strength to push defenders off him and his vision to find green grass to continue advancing the ball. When he is split out, Benjamin runs crispy routes that allow him to get open and catch the ball. If he is throwing the ball, he delivers the pass on time with accuracy to the receiver running downfield. Benjamin as a plethora of skills and should be a welcomed addition to Archbishop Hoban next season. The Knights high school program is currently 9-0 and ranked third in Ohio and 39th in the nation.
Tyler is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-way player coming out of the grader Pittsburgh area in Pennsylvania. At defensive end, Tyler does a great job using his size and strength to dominate the line of scrimmage and get into the backfield. His large frame allows him to make plays on ball carries if they are even remotely close to where he is on the field. He has an effective pass rush as he gets extension on the tackles he is working against as he makes his way to the quarterback. At tight end, Tyler is a huge target when running routes. With his size and strength, he creates a lot of mismatches. Tyler is also a force in the run game as well, he does a great job of moving defensive linemen and setting the edge for running backs to run behind him. He already has the size of the next level; that being said, he has the potential to be playing at the next level with continued development.
Highlights
At 6-foot-2 and 252-pounds, Jordan is a big-time run blocker coming out of the Lone Star State. Watching his big frame move, Jordan has shown early that he could become a highly recruited offensive lineman in the future. Regarding his game, Jordan is a very hard worker and shows it on the field. He has no problem moving his opponents in the run game and opening up lanes for his running backs. His work ethic, coupled with his run-blocking ability, helps get his opponents on the ground for some nasty pancakes as well. Early on, Jordan has already proven to be an explosive offensive lineman, it’s going to be fun to watch how he develops as he gets set to enter high school in a few short months.