Recruiting Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 10/25

<!-- 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>We are nearing November and middle school football seasons are reaching the later stages, or in some states, has already wrapped up. The prospect landscape is starting to become clearer and 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_634d68edeae2e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":480979,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Christian is a speedy running back coming out of the highly competitive and highly recruited state of Alabama. Christian lets the stats speak for themselves as he rushed for 152 yards and four touchdowns on just 18 rushes in his most recent game. When I reviewed his film, it is clear that he is different compared to the rest of his competition. Christian has good speed coming out of the backfield, so if defenses allow him to get to the second-level, then I'm willing to bet that it is going to be a footrace to the end zone. Along with the speed Christian has, he also is incredibly agile. Christian proves that he can make anyone miss when he is carrying the ball. Overall, Christian is one of the better backs that I have seen. A nice mixture of speed and power here.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bf06"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634d6d46eae2f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479692"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":479698,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Manny is an incredibly talented quarterback coming out of the storied Massillon program, in the coveted state of Ohio. Manny has a very unique set of skills that sets him apart from the rest of the competition in his class. For one, Manny seems to do really well on the run. There are several clips of him rolling out away from his throwing arm and he is still able to deliver a crisp and accurate ball to his targets. With that Manny also has impressive range with his throws, and has no problem with accuracy when he is taking those down field shots. Lastly, Manny is very good at placing the ball in places where not only his receivers can catch it, but the and gain yards after the catch. Manny has a great set of highlights and I am excited to see how is career develops down the road.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bf3c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634d6fa3eae31","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409882"],"_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":"Jaden is one defensive end that people should be excited about for the future. Coming out of the very talented state of Georgia, Jaden has shown early why there's excitement about him ahead of high school. At 6-foot-1 and 210-pounds, he has the build to be a force as an edge rusher thanks to his wingspan and has the capability to get into the backfield almost instantly with his speed. Coupled with the speed and size that Jaden has, he also shows out in the weight room. From what I've seen, Jaden has proven to move weight around while working out and has shown of his strength in his film. Overall, Jaden seems to be a hard worker as he is always trying to perfect his craft. After watching the film, his hard work has paid off so far. How tall he stretches out to be, will be a big factor in determining how far his football career goes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bf64"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634d7221eae33","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["477498"],"_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":"When looking at film on another player from Maryland, I couldn't help but notice the big 6-foot-2 Quarterback for the Bowie Bulldogs. At 6-foot-2 Rice does a nice job of reading the field and distributing the ball into the hands of his plethora of playmakers. Something that really stuck out to me pretty quickly in watching clips, is his advanced understanding of when to put some mustard on the ball vis-a-vis putting air under it and letting his guys go run and get it. Pocket passer with a strong arm, but athletic enough to move around if need be. Reminds me a bit of former 17-year NFL vet Phillip Rivers in that respect. Also a talented basketball player, when not lighting up defenses on the gridiron.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bf89"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634d72baeae34","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["476581"],"_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":"Derrick is a power athlete coming out of the state of Mississippi, that just happens to play Running Back right now. One of the first things that I noticed when reviewing his film is that he does not come down easily. It will take a strong effort form a handful of defenders to bring him and his 6-foot-1, 195-pound frame down. Along with his strength, Derrick has decent enough speed to run through arm tackles with ease and breakaway from the defenders that are trying to bring him down. Most importantly, Derrick proves to have very strong balance.  When he is carrying the ball, he will not go down simply by someone trying to trip him. Derrick is going through shoestring tackles and find himself in the end zone whenever he is carrying the ball. Long term I don't think he's a Running Back because of the size he already has. However, wherever he ends up playing, he can be a difference-maker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bfb0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634d77abeae36","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471545"],"_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":"Preston is already a big-time two-way lineman coming out of Pennsylvania. With him already getting looks from schools like Temple, which happens to be where his father played his collegiate ball, you know this kid is different. His film does more than confirm that. In the run game, Preston is a nasty run blocker who plays low and has no problem driving his opponents into the dirt. He seems to have a great understanding of leverage in the run game as he opens up lanes for the ball carriers following his lead. In pass protection, Preston is very patient with his technique, so one he makes contact with a defensive linemen, they are not going to be getting anywhere near the quarterback if Preston can help it. Preston's highlight tape was a lot of fun to watch and I am excited to see where football takes him in the future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bfd6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634d7c0972e8f","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450021"],"_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":"Kristopher is another quarterback with unique arm talent coming of out of the state of New Jersey. Playing for a very talented Glassboro squad, he's the guy at the helm making the offense click. After reviewing some of his tape, one of the first things that jumped out to me was timing and accuracy of his downfield throws. Unlike many quarterbacks in his class, Kristopher has no problem slinging the ball downfield to his targets and allowing them to make plays on the ball. Kristopher also proves to be able to get the ball out quickly when it comes to his quick game concepts. It's almost as if Kristopher has a sixth sense when it comes to knowing where the ball is going to go and delivers a crispy ball to his wideouts wherever they are on the field. I am very excited about Kristopher's talent and excited to see where his career takes him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c558562bffc"} /-->