AL Pops’ Class of 2027 Prospect Evaluations – 2/9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a busy January full of Prep Redzone Next camps, evaluations and write-ups, it's back to the action. 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":["642719"],"_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":"-An absolute no-brainer of a future P5 football player if he decides to go that route. Already standing 6-foot-5 and quickly closing in on 200 pounds in just the eighth gradeu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Athleticism is off the charts for being so big and so young. Also an elite basketball player, there are clips of him throwing down windmill dunks in actual games from this seasonu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-As permitted by Louisiana state rules, already has varsity basketball and football time under his belt. Saw time at Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Defensive End and Outside Linebacker this past season. Kid is nothing short of absolutely special","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["642437"],"_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":"-Like [player_tooltip player_id='642719' first='Elijah' last='Haven'] above, Tank White is another dual-sport athlete that shines on the football field and the basketball court. The highly-touted eighth grade prospect is also already dunking on people in actual games this yearu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Billed at already 6-foot-1 and 180-pounds, White is a prospect that is already on the early recruiting board for many P5 programs. In fact, he has already picked up his first offer from the University of Pittsburgh, this winteru003cbru003eu003cbru003e-White wrapped up his youth career this season, suiting up for the Melbourne Ducks Pop Warner program. Melbourne is on the east coast of the state of Florida. It's essentially less than two hours directly across from Tampa","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["642774"],"_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":"-Long Defensive End/Outside Linebacker prospect at 6-foot-1 and 205-pounds. Played more of your new u0022Edgeu0022 position during the regular season and stood up, rather then lining up with his hand in the dirtu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Watched him play twice this winter (December and February) and both times he was quietly impressive. Physically isn't an eye-popping prospect at first site, but he makes a lot of plays if you watch and pay attentionu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-His athleticism and quick-twitch is something to take note off. For example, at the AYF National All-Star Game in early February, came rushing off the edge and was one-on-one with a Quarterback trying to make a pass. Hegmon jumped up and batted a quick pass which resulted in an interception. Not an easy play to make at full speed","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["625085"],"_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":"-The son of former NFL first round pick out of Arizona State and current CBS Sports commentator, Adam Archuletau003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Was a standout on both sides of the ball this past fall season for the Future U program in Arizona. Archuleta and his teammates made it all the way to the Pop Warner National Championship game in Florida this past December, before coming up a little bit shortu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Gives up significant size right now but hopefully the growth spurt comes. His father played parts of eight seasons at 5-foot-11 so there should be some growing left to do. Plays a nasty, fast brand of football and can get physical in a hurry. Plays the game hungry and would rather make the opposition look silly, than step out of bounds after a catch","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["558899"],"_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":"-Played for the famed OG Ducks organization this past season in southern Californiau003cbru003eu003cbru003e-On a team full of monsters and freaky big men, Alo was far from the biggest lineman. That said, he was nowhere near the smallest either. Did a good job as an interior Defensive Lineman and made it hard on coaches to take him out of the game because of consistent playu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Very strong and stout at the point of attack in the trenches. Isn't going to wow with a wide variety of pass-rush moves, but did a nice job of maintaining gap responsibility","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["632957"],"_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":"-If you don't believe in genetics, you should. Josiah Molden is one of eight siblings in his family. His older brother is Elijah Molden, who currently plays for the Tennessee Titans. His father, Alex, is a member of the University of Oregon Hall of Fame and was a first round NFL draft pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1996u003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Molden plays all over the place during the regular season. From Kick and Punt Returner, to Running Back, to Wide Receiver and Defensive Back. Truly, one of those situations where you want the best player on the field to have the ball in his handsu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Plays his 7v7 ball for EForce, arguably the top 7's program in Oregon. He's also already been selected for the Oregon All-State Game, which he'll be playing in later this summer","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["642840"],"_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":"-The son of current Colorado State Cornerback's Coach, Marcus Pattonu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Speedy athlete at 5-foot-9 and 150-pounds, that probably could have made the National Watchlist as an Athlete. Amassed 1,299 total yards and 27 touchdowns this past seasonu003cbru003eu003cbru003e-Will be off to play for Boswell High School next year in Fort Worth, Texas. The Pioneers went an 8-3 this past season and reached the state playoffs. It'll be a tough road for him, but Alex Patton will have a chance to compete for Varsity time as the blue and gold attempt to replace the nearly 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns produced by Ezra Carter from a year ago","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63e559625bada"} /-->