Recruiting Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 12/12
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We are officially into December and the page has been turned on youth careers. High School and the football futures of many prospects are getting ready to hit the accelerate button. The prospect landscape is starting to become clearer and…
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Continue ReadingWe are officially into December and the page has been turned on youth careers. High School and 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.
Alvin is an electrifying wideout coming out of the powerhouse state of Texas, standing 5-foot-11 and 150-pounds. With his speed and agility, Alvin is capable of generating huge plays on offense. Whenever he has the ball in his hands, it is only a matter of time before he makes a couple moves and breaks away from the defense. Not only he is a threat on bubble screens on the edge, but Alvin is a vertical threat downfield with the hops to go up and get the ball at the highest point possible. Doubling as a stud on the basketball court too, he has already proven to be one of the more explosive playmakers coming out of this class. There’s obviously time between now and National Signing Day 2027, and a lot can change, but he’s one to certainly keep an eye on.
Braden is tall 6-foot-4 quarterback hailing from the football frenzied state of Texas. With as impressive arm talent as anyone else coming out of this class, Braden has the ability to improve his team just by being on the field. He’s the younger brother of class of 2023 unanimous All-District QB selection Blake Baker Blake Baker 6’5″ | 195 lbs | QB Cypress Ranch | 2023 State TX and embodies much of the same talent. In quick game, Braden has the ability to make decisions with lightning speed and deliver his passes quickly and accurately. Most impressively, Braden is capable of turning quick game into chunk plays for his receivers by putting the ball in space with room for yards after the catch. In drop back schemes, Braden patience in the pocket and his footwork allow him to put together a crispy pass that is accurate and on time. Overall, Braden put together a very impressive middle school career and that Baker last name will leading the huddle at Cypress Ranch High School for the next four years.
Highlights
Braylon is a 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker coming out of the Lone Star State that is already getting looks from some highly prestigious power 5 programs. He has proven to be the complete package at linebacker with his explosiveness, speed, and physicality. Braylon’s explosiveness helps to make him a sure tackler and play maker, and his speed allows him to get to the ball no matter where it is on the field. Braylon also has some of the best football instincts that I have seen coming out of this class, he just knows how to make plays when he is out there on the field. With all of that being said, it is no surprise that he is already starting to get looks from schools the caliber of TCU and Texas. With the current trajectory that Braylon is on, it’s not too farfetched to think he could be a top 50 prospect in Texas down the line.
Chance is a playmaking athlete coming out of the talent factory state of Texas. With his speed and ball skills, Chance is one of those wideouts that cornerbacks have nightmares about, and one of the cornerbacks that wideouts get up to play against. At wideout, Chance is going to blow the top off of coverages any chance he gets, and from there it is a guarantee that he is going to haul the ball in as he makes his way into the end zone. Chance also has the uncanny ability to catch balls in traffic. With his elite focus on the ball and his great hands, there is almost nothing that can stop Chance from catching the football. Defensively he’s an interception waiting to happen as a corner. Loves to play the ball aggressively and undoubtedly will jump a route if he thinks he can make a big play. Overall, Chance has an impressive middle school tape and I would expect that if he continues to grow taller and longer, he should be a good one to watch.
Cole is a big, physical interior defensive lineman coming out of the state of Texas. Just from what I have seen, at 6-foot and 260-pounds, Cole plays with a lot of brute power and strength. Certainly one of stronger kids coming out of this class in at least the state of Texas, at this point. His strength translates on to the field as he dominates the line of scrimmage play in and play out. Cole is the type of defensive tackle that coaches like getting to work with, because he’s big enough to absorb a double team (which allows the linebackers to roam freely behind him) but also strong enough to defeat a one-on-one block and make a short yardage stop against the run. It will be interesting to see if he continues to get bigger and keeps the on-film strength, relative to his size and level of play.
Jared is another bigger quarterback with a cannon for an arm coming out of the state of Texas. At 6-foot and a thick 180-pounds, with one of the smoother throwing motions I have seen in recent film study, it is no surprise that Jared produces big numbers and big plays on the field. Jared’s arm strength allows him to take the ball deep whenever he wants to and has the touch to place the ball perfectly for his receivers. Jared also has fluent footwork that allows him to work through his progression seamlessly and deliver the ball to his best option on any given play. He moves his feet like like engine pistons and it aids in his distinct movement, allowing him to pick up some yards with his feet to. He’s already squatting 325-pounds and has a strong base and core, which allows for functional full body movement.
Highlights
Kohen is a do-it-all playmaker coming out Euless Junior High, a feeder program for one of the most historical programs in the state of Texas. Whether Kohen is on offense or defense, he is an absolute force on the field at 6-foot and 195-pounds. On the offensive side of the ball, Kohen is a sure-handed receiver who can be found making plays anywhere on the field as a thicker Wide Receiver, acting essentially like a Tight End. His ability to expand plays after contact is impressive for an athlete on this level. On the defensive side of the ball, where I feel his future will be, Kohen has the speed and the explosion to end plays before they even start out on the edge. Once he makes contact with the ball carrier, its game over. He’s a strong, explosive kid with a body type that translates to a few different positions right now. Depending on how big he gets–and he will get big–he could be anything from interior defensive tackle, to a 3-4 defensive end to perhaps even a middle linebacker. Time will tell here, but he looks like he’s going to be a player.