Al Pops’ Class of 2027 Prospect Evaluations – 12/27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's now full steam ahead to the showcase, camp, combine and 7-on-7 part of the year, as the football futures of many prospects are getting ready to hit the accelerate button. 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 year 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":["565147"],"_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":"-Exceptional movement for an eighth-grader who is already 6-foot-2 and 245-pounds. Repeatedly shows the ability to climb the ladder and block Linebackers in spaceu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Thrives as a run blocker and can set the tone early with his ability to overwhelm the opposition at the point of attack. Pancakes guys into the ground on a regular basis during drive blocksu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Versatile two-way lineman that play Guard or Tackle with his foot work and speed. Quick enough to get kick step back as a Tackle and agile enough to pull as a Guard. Can also play on the Edge or the inside along the Defensive Line too","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["557042"],"_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":"-Panama was one of more than a handful of 2027 prospects that made the move from Nevada over to California to play for the 14U OG Ducks this past. Joining, most notably, 2027 Quarterback prospect [player_tooltip player_id='400854' first='Furian' last='Inferrera']u003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Showed good quick-twitch explosiveness off the snap, with an excellent first step which allowed him to get his hands on the Offensive Lineman firstu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Checks the boxes when it comes to athleticism, speed and quickness for an interior Defensive Lineman at 6-foot-1 and 255-pounds","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["498182"],"_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":"-Though unverified at this point, he looks to be blessed with very impressive size for just being a 2027 prospect. He lists himself at 6-foot-4 and 265-pounds as just an eighth-graderu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Played this past season with the Silk City Elite Cardinals, one of the premier youth football organizations in all of New Jerseyu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-In all the film/clips I have seen of Puleo, he has lined up as a Guard. With his length I'd think he could eventually become an Offensive Tackle. However, if that is going to happen, he must become more nimble and improve his footwork to be able to stop speed rushers on the edge","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["569820"],"_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":"-One of the better Quarterbacks I saw at AYF Nationals in Florida. Others must have seen similar things, as following his performance he was selected as one of two QB's for the 8th Grade AYF National All-Star Gameu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-McLeish has the potential to be one of the better dual-threat signal callers in the 2027 class if he continues on the trajectory. Have seen him both hurdle guys while scrambling and throw a dime of a deep ball. Either way, he can go over your headu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Was undecided on a high school when I spoke with him and his dad, but it's not surprising he has plenty of options when it comes to private schools vying for her services","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["569767"],"_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":"-Split time at Quarterback with 2028 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='432272' first='Russell' last='Sekona'] on very loaded, 2022 AYF National Champion, IB Braves 13U teamu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Passes the eye test right away at 6-foot and 180-pounds with a very strong build. Already deadlifting 500-pounds and bench pressing 230-pounds for repsu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Tactical athlete with very good sudden bursts in tight quarters, which allows him to extend plays and throw the ball downfield","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["563198"],"_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":"-A standout on the Southlake Christian Academy middle school football team this year at both Running Back and Defensive Back. Specifically shined at Cornerback throughout the yearrnrn-Plays with good body control while the ball is in the air and while running with the receiver.  Moves fluidly and freely without second guessing himselfrnrn-Ball skills are a major plus, as he catches as well or better than full time Wide Receivers. At 5-foot-9 and 140-pounds he possesses good size and can win a lot of 50/50 balls","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["569907"],"_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":"-At this point I'd consider him a little more of a project than the other Linemen in this write up, but also has a higher ceiling than probably any of them toou003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Hailing from Washington, he's every bit of 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds with a tremendously long frame to add a ton of size to. Even refers to himself as Slender Man, just to add a little more color to his size and buildu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-As tall and long as he is, will need to continue to work on staying low in his stance u002du002d both firing off the ball and through the point of contact. If he's able to lock his arms out, he's already a pretty good pass blocker and can keep guys of all size out of the backfield","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ab041f1a58d"} /-->