Al Pops’ Class of 2027 Prospect Evaluations – 11/11

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are officially into 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 {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["510788"],"_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":"QB1 for one of the South Philly Sharks, one of best youth football teams in the state of Pennsylvania, Benzio is exactly the type of signal caller a team with this much talent could ask for. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Quarterback may even be an inch or two taller and executes at a very consistent rate. He's a nice mix of athleticism and pure pocket passer that keeps defenses off balance trying to defend him. Benzio has no problem moving the pocket by rolling out, or tucking the ball and scrambling to pick up some yards with his long legs. I really like his arm and overall Quarterback mechanics. Possessing a strong build, he's able to throw with a smooth, over the top motion that allows for accuracy no matter where he's throwing the football. Surrounded by a ton of talent at the skill positions, he makes it easy by getting the ball where it needs to be quickly and accurately.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["403010"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Sometimes the job of evaluating middle school talent takes a lot of film study and research and other times you watch film of athletes like Evans, and the job is easy. The Texas prospect is a bolt of energy and excitement when he has the ball in his hands, and is a threat to go the distance from anywhere at any time. The 2027 Athlete played a lot of football this fall at various different positions. As a member of DEA travel ball team he left his mark as a Wide Receiver and as a weapon in the return game. During school ball he was Michael Vick-like at the Quarterback position for Huffines Middle School, leading them to an 8th Grade Division 1 championship. He'll be off to Lewisville High School next year and should certainly see some continued early recruiting attention.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["503585"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Talking heads in the football world will often describe a player by saying, u0022he's a coach on the fieldu0022. When it comes to 2027 Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='503585' first='Justin' last='Coach'], the term is more literal. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he's one half of an impressive set of twins for the La Habra Lions Pop Warner team. On film he looks every bit of a future Defensive End that can play at an elite level against both the run and the pass. I have him listed as an Athlete because that's exactly what he (and his brother) are. Justin is a long, strong kid with good muscle mass that can easily play Outside Linebacker or Tight End at this point, too. His ability to play with his hand in the dirt or standing up make it a chore to account for him against the defensive front. As if that wasn't enough, he has no problem dropping back or into the flat, to help in pass defense. Blessed with a frame to tack on a ton of additional size as he continues to mature, the potential is limitless.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["480303"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Cain is the younger brother of class of 2023 three-star prospect and Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='150256' first='Chase' last='Brackney'] and is on the same trajectory as his older brother, except at the Linebacker position. A combination of good genes and a crazy work ethic, Cain is a rock-solid 5-foot-11 and 180-pounds at this point. Playing for the Colorado Jr. Buffs, a program that has turned out many talented high school players over the last few years, he has established himself as the top Linebacker prospect in Colorado for the class of 2027 at this point. Plays with an attacking, downhill style at the Mike Linebacker position at all times and looks like he could bench press a house. He's a strong kid that sheds blocks from Offensive Linemen trying to pick him off with relative ease. At first look at his build, one u003cemu003ecould u003c/emu003ethink he's a bit boxy and clunky but when watching him on-field, he moves around very well and is extremely active in the tackle box. I fully expect him to have a handful of offers by his Sophomore season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["492889"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Standing 6-foot-3 and 185-pounds, the potential in [player_tooltip player_id='492889' first='Chris' last='Johnson'] is oozing out his pores. For those who follow middle school football in Georgia, he formally had his name changed from Chris Coombs this past year and while his last name is different than last year, what he's doing on the field is not. Playing this past season for the Cedartown Bulldogs, Johnson did a little bit of everything as a Tight End/Defensive End/Outside Linebacker. With his build and athletic ability he's a perfect fit for the Edge position, that is becoming more and more popular on various levels of football. He has the length and strength to rush the passer and/or draw plays East and West as a Defensive End, however, at the same time he has more than enough speed to play Outside Linebacker. While I have him listed as a Defensive Lineman, I'm not totally convinced he won't ultimately end up as a Tight End. Johnson has a huge pair of mitts that he uses to haul in passes he has no business catching. While he can certainly catch passes on the traditional intermediate routes, he can also go vertical and outmuscle Defensive Backs for 50/50 balls. Johnson is a ball player. Period.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["511117"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"An eye-test passing Offensive Lineman right off the bat, Eubanks is an impressive looking prospect at 6-foot-3 and 260-pounds. While a lot of Offensive Linemen on the pre-high school level are effective due to simply being bigger than everyone else, Eubanks has some ability as well. He's very well proportioned throughout his big frame and doesn't appear to carry a lot of extra bad weight. He's just a big dude no matter how you slice it. He has long limbs, a long torso and getting a look at his dad, he should continue to keep getting bigger. At first glance he's built exactly like a future double digit-offer Offensive Tackle, however, after watching him play there are some foot-speed and agility questions right now. At this point he's a better Guard than tackle based off his ability to move around in isolated situations while pass blocking in space. I have no reason to doubt his feet will continue to improve, and with his size, Eubanks holds all the cards to determine what level of football he'll ascend to. Keep this young man on your radar because he u003cemu003ecould u003c/emu003ebecome a big time national prospect with furthered development.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["489281"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"While I was checking out the film of 2027 Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='474868' first='Anthony' last='Cartwright III'], it opened my eyes to a trio of his Orchard Lake Cardinals teammates. One of the three that really caught my eye was fellow 2027 prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='489281' first='Brandon' last='Adams']. Adams is a 6-foot, 155-pound athlete that plays this game with an attitude. I have him listed as an Athlete at this point because while he he makes most of his noise as a Wide Receiver, I can't see how a kid with this much aggression stays on the offensive side of the ball long term. Offensively, he reminds me a ton of Super Bowl Champion, three-time Pro Bowler and 14-year NFL vet, Anquan Boldin. At 6-foot and 155-pounds, he's a thicker Wide Receiver that isn't afraid to mix it up to create separation. It's that same fearlessness to mix it up, that makes him a a force as an Outside Linebacker/Edge/Strong Safety type of kid. Adams has no problem smacking a Running Back on a perimeter run play, nor does he shy away from blitzing and getting after the Quarterback. The one thing I'd like to see more consistency onu002du002dand this came from watching him on the highlights of other players on the teamu002du002dis his motor. Staying engaged and keeping that pedal down at all times will only help this talented prospect reach the level he's certainly capable of getting to.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-65c557afcfe1e"} /-->