New Year, New Nevada 2027 Prospects to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What better way to start off 2023 then by looking at some of the top eighth-graders in the state of Nevada. 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":["557049"],"_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":"I was genuinely upset at AYF Nationals when I saw that Abdullah was injured and not able to participate for his Phase1 49ers squad in Florida. At first I didn't realize who he was but I kept catching myself looking at the kid on the sidelines without pads because of how he looked. At 5-foot-11 and 155-pounds he just has that look of an athletic playmaker. Watching some of his clips he looks real good on both sides of the ball as a Defensive Back and as a Wide Receiver. He was unquestionably the favorite target of his teammate and fellow 2027 Watch List Quarterback, u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='444625' first='Darian' last='Abella']u003c/strongu003e. The duo had a heck of a run and both should be considered prospects to watch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["581788"],"_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":"When you do this long enough, you can spot the legit Quarterback's before the players are even in pads or warming up. Burke had a QB swag about him when I was watching the team get ready to start warmups with the long hair and rockin' the baseball hat. When the pads came on he did a lot of good things to confirm that he was a legit Quarterback. The 6-foot lefty is a confident player who has a lot of faith in his arm, and his ability to put the ball where it needs to be. He's certainly a gun slinger who can let it fly down field with ease and very nice touch. It's obvious he's been coached up very well, as his fundamentals check out. He does a great job with weight transition and follow through on passes when he has a clean pocket to stand in. Played this year with the Bishop Gorman youth team, but I'm told his high school decision is up in the air at this point.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["581605"],"_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":"Another talented kid off that same Phase1 49ers team that u003cstrongu003eAbdullahu003c/strongu003e and u003cstrongu003eAbellau003c/strongu003e played for this season. While those two were busy putting up points, Duffy showed out as a Defensive End during the games I got to watch him play. He passed the eye test right away at an estimated 6-foot-2 and 215-pounds with a nice combination of speed and power coming off the edge. Has a great frame capable of adding another 20-30 pounds of good, muscular weight. Beats a lot of Offensive Tackles right now with sheer athleticism and agility. Adding and diversifying his pass rush move set will only help him going forward.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["581804"],"_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":"Perkins was a clear standout on both sides of the ball for the Vegas All-Star team at AYF Nationals. Whether it was shutting down the Wide Receivers as a Defensive Back, or flipping the script and being a Wide Receiver that torched Defensive Backs, he made it happen. In my notes I had several words about his play specifically at Defensive Back and his ability to come over the top of Wide Receivers to make a play on the ball. He matched up physically with every Wide Receiver I saw him up against and was probably a step ahead athletically. Watching him play I was instantly reminded of former four-star Safety Jordan Morant who is currently at Mississippi State. Can run with or past most other players and isn't afraid to lay the wood if he sees an opportunity.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["581696"],"_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":"Young JR. has a ton of potential with a huge upside as an Offensive Line prospect in this 2027 class. He has good size right now at 6-foot-2 and 250-pounds with long limbs u002du002d a pretty ideal frame for a kid getting ready to enter high school. As I watched him in person, and then on film, there are two main things that stick out. First, he shows a lot of versatility up front and has played both Guard and Tackle, on both sides of the Center, on film. Personally, I like what he brings to the table as an interior guy because he's quick and sudden with his strikes. The other thing that really caught my attention is his intelligence and football mindset. I've seen him release off a double team at the precise moment in order to get up the Linebackers, several times. Instinctual guy who understands angles and speed quite well.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["581822"],"_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":"When patrolling the secondary with a two-high look, it's helpful to have somebody you trust back there with you. That's what the Vegas 14U All-Star team had going for them with the combination of Perkins and Armani Walker. The pair seem to be best friends on and off the field, which helped in communication and understanding of what the other was going to do. The duo played on the same regular season team and both stood out to me at AYF Nationals. While I'll give Perkins the nod in ability to stop the ball, I love the way Walker comes screaming up in run defense. He will not think twice about taking out someone's knees if it means making a big stop. By no means is he a dirty player, but he'll remind a ball carrier or receiver to remember to keep their head on a swivel.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["581885"],"_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":"From the second I walked over to watch them get ready, it was easy to see that Fiantaca was the unquestioned leader of this team. From calling out stretches, to getting people lined up to talking with the coaching staff about what he's seeing on the field u002du002d it was the kid wearing jersey number 11. At 6-foot-1 and 180-pounds he fits that new Edge position description to the tee. Easily can play outside in space as a standup Outside Linebacker with his agility. Then can switch it up and put his hand in the dirt to play Defensive End and defeat blocks with his length and speed. I've also seen film of him playing some Offensive Line, but if he does continue to get reps on offense, it u003cemu003eshould u003c/emu003ebe at Tight End. He's a fast, aggressive prospect coming off the edge with a great motor who can chase down plays going away from him, from behind.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["557100"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"A thick, strong interior mauler on both sides of the ball, Chief Togafau-Paleafei was a delight to watch along the front for the Vegas Strong 14U team. The power and physicality he plays with is on full display when he makes contact with whoever is lined up across from him. On the offensive side of the ball he's an ideal Guard or Center at this point given his frame and 265-pound frame. Does a nice job at throwing short, powerful jabs at the point of contact which is enough to halt most Defensive Linemen in their tracks. Now, on the defensive side of the ball, he's a lock as an interior Defensive Tackle. He's listed at 6-foot-1 but plays squatty and low to the ground, which makes him tough to move out of the way. Adequate quickness off the ball with active hands. If nothing else, he at least eats up the blocks and allows Linebackers to stay clean.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["560877"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"A long, lean Wide Receiver that can blow past Defensive Backs if they play on their heels or with their knees locked. Runs pretty well and picks up speed as he gets into his routes. Didn't show elite speed but certainly has the ability to blow past guys who get caught looking in the backfield. Stretched the field vertically well right now and best routes seem to be deeper and into the middle of the field. Really good body control and moves fluidly when running himself open. A confident kid who can also be used as a Safety with his length and ball skills.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["559804"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"The standout Running Back on the Vegas Strong team this year, Kaheaku got a significant amount of touches throughout the season. Runs downhill with power and has shown the ability to really open it up when he seems a lane when running in space. From what I've seen he's not a make-ya-miss inside a phone booth type of runner, but is agile enough to dodge tacklers in close quarters.  One of the better receiving Running Backs I saw at AYF Nationals and in general for this 2027 class. Very sure-handed receiver that is always an option on swing passes into the boundary or screen plays. Creates after the catch better than most Wide Receivers do at this level. Also knows how to throttle down to allow for the big guys upfront to make a block in space on the next level or outside.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b5bcd43683a"} /-->