Recruiting Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 1/3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What better way to start off 2023 then by looking at some of the top eighth-graders in the country. 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":["487675"],"_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":"Kanan is a big time athlete coming out of the state of California. He is one of the few kids in this class who is already generating a level of hype that reaches the Division 1 level. Already holding a reported offer from Michigan State, it is clear to see that Kanan has the potential for a huge career in front of him. On the field, Kanan is a superior athlete with a nose for the football. On the defensive side of the ball, Kanan does a great job tracking the quarterback and the ball in space. Not only is Kanan capable of breaking up passes, but he has the hands to force interceptions with fantastic catches. Overall, Kanan has proven what he can do on the field, and it wouldn't shock me to see additional offers start to pile up as he gets set to hit high school.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["487658"],"_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":"Dominic is a strong, dominant force in the trenches coming out of the state of Colorado.  Just from what I have seen from him, it is clear that Dominic has to be near the top of any discussion about top interior defensive linemen coming out of Colorado in this 2027 class. With his unmatched strength and ability, Dominic has no problem breaking through the attempted double team's up front and bringing the ball carrier down. His pass rushing ability also allows him to blow through the line of scrimmage and put pressure on the quarterback on any given down. With everything that I have seen from Dominic, it is clear that is capable of being a piece to build a defense around.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["416603"],"_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":"Waylon is another trench warrior coming out of the state of Georgia. He's a prospect we've seen live many times over the last calendar year and each time we see him, he takes a bigger step up. Waylon has the potential to be one of the most sought after defensive linemen coming out of this class if he continues improving like this. At 6-foot-1 and 260-ish pounds, Waylon has an unreal ability to rush the quarterback, with his variety of different pass rush moves. With that being said, it is clear to see that Waylon lives in the backfield on almost every play. He's already a well-known name in Georgia and should continue to see his stock rise.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["513311"],"_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":"Wyatt is an exciting offensive hybrid athlete coming out of the state of Iowa. At an athletic 6-foot-1 and 180-pounds, he spent must of his regular season and club season rotating between tight end and wideout. Wyatt showcases his catching ability as well as his ability to rake in yards after catch. One of the most impressive aspects of Wyatt's game is the athleticism he uses to break through and break away from defenses. With his strength and speed, Wyatt has no problem shaking off tacklers and breaking away from defenses when he has the ball in his hands. When looking at a comparable NFL playing style, I see a lot of a young Jeremy Shockey in him. Shockey was a first-round pick by the New York Giants out of Miami in 2001.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["487637"],"_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":"Cooper is one of the more intriguing prospects we've come across thus far on this 2027 recruiting trail. At 5-foot-11 and 225-pounds he's built like an Offensive Guard or interior Defensive Tackle, but he actually plays Running Back. Already notching varsity time and touchdowns under his belt, he is very agile for his size and makes life really tough for Defensive Backs who have to bring him down in space, if he gets to the second and third level. Perhaps the most scary thing about the Louisiana prospect, is that he likely isn't done growing. His older brother Kenny was a 6-foot-10 basketball player at Oklahoma State. This one will be fun to watch.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["514949"],"_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 huge, massive wall of an interior Defensive Tackle out of Maryland, I was shocked to hear is playing his first year of tackle football. At times during the season was completely unblockable and honestly became a two-gap player with his ability to take on a block and still move decently enough laterally. Admittedly is extremely raw and gets by a lot on sheer power and mass. Played this year with the Maryland Heat so he got a ton of valuable reps, coaching and competition against some of the best pre-high school players in America. Right now, he's 5-foot-10 and 280-pounds; If he can get to that 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2 mark, keep that power and add in some technique, he could be a really promising player.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["408654"],"_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":"We come across kids in each recruiting cycle that become memorable for any number of reasonsu002du002dsome good, some bad. Cruz is a memorable kid for how he handles his business on the field, in training and on social media. He's a mature prospect who knows the game of football at a high level. Currently standing in the 5-foot-10, 155-pound neighborhood, he's an Athlete that can it done at any number of positions. Personally, I really like him as a Defensive Back and right now he could play anywhere back there for me. From understanding pursuit angles, to oily hips and a knack for causing turnovers he checks all the boxes for me. He'll be at Midland Legacy High School in Texas come this fall.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6375605128c7c"} /-->