Poppin’ Off: My Take on 2027s at the Sooner State Shootout – Pt.1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone recently held its inaugural 7v7 event, The Sooner State Shootout, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The 7v7 movement is a runaway train at this point and many of the nation's top prep prospects strap up each weekend to play. Unlike traditional recruiting where a prospect is identified by class, these events are age-based rather than graduating class. It can make for some interesting dynamics with younger/older prospects vis-a-vis what scholastic grade they're in. Below is a look at part 1 of some of the 2027 standouts, per the scouts in attendance. Having a keen eye for middle school prospects, I have added my two cents on some of these promising prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["473879"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":693619,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This was a name that we had circled before the tournament even began. 2027 tight end [player_tooltip player_id='473879' first='Case' last='Alexander'] from Washington suited up with the USOs Gold team this weekend in BA. He's the son of former OU and NFL tight end Stephen Alexander and younger brother of 2024 top tight end [player_tooltip player_id='154210' first='Cooper' last='Alexander']. So needless to say, the genetics are strong in this family and we wanted to see it first hand. Alexander had a really good weekend and I got a chance to see him in person during bracket play on Sunday. He runs good routes and has a good connection with his quarterback in fellow 2027 standout [player_tooltip player_id='473873' first='Tyson' last='Pogi']. Washington has an embarrassment of riches at the tight end.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops:u003c/strongu003e Nothing too much more to add here, as this write up really capsulated what we've seen out of the younger Alexander to this point. He's been on the PRZ Next National Watchlist for monthsu002du002dand for good reason. It took a little bit for Cooper's recruiting to heat up and start going off, but I don't think Case will have to wait nearly as long. He's signed up for the Prep Redzone Next Rising Prospect camp on April 30th back in Broken Arrow. Personally, I'm excited to get my tuo watch him play live. Without knowing the ins and outs of the Washington program, I think it'll be hard to keep him off the varsity field next year. There is a strong pipeline of talent in Washington, Oklahoma.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["478124"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":693743,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"We already have a shortlist of 2027 prospects on our radar as they finish up their eighth grade years and get ready for high school in the fall. The future two-way player for the Jenks Trojans helped lead Sooner 7 to the 14U championship. He really stood out on the defensive side of the ball. Stanford also happens to be the younger brother of Houston signee [player_tooltip player_id='157457' first='Jalyn' last='Stanford'], who just wrapped up a very successful high school career at running back and safety. Over the weekend, Semaj was really impressive with his ability to get physical. We can't help but wonder what Stanford is going to look like when he throws on the pads and is able to hit someone. Stanford already looks the part and could find his way on the field at Jenks early on in his high school career.position and Case is next up.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eI watched his film back in September and instantly fell in love with his ability as a Running Back, so it's good to hear that he showed out on defense as well. Running Back's don't really get a ton of love in the 7v7 game, but the elite ones always find a way to make an impact. I was also today years old when I learned about his brother Jalyn, who showed out at the same two positions Semaj is earmarked for. I'm going to stand down with my assertion that I think he's a future Running Back after what I saw him do for Jenks against the feeder programs of Oklahoma's other top traditional powerhouse programs. Regardless, this is a 2027 who should see offers the second he gets varsity time under his beltu002du002dif not earlier.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["473873"],"_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":"If you follow Oklahoma football very closely, you might have already heard of 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='473873' first='Tyson' last='Pogi'] from Mustang. He's already on the radar as the next potential name at the quarterback position but it's still obviously very early. So when I had the chance to catch Pogi for a couple games on Sunday during bracket play, my expectations were already pretty high. He met them as he helped his team win a few games and move on in bracket play. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him as he enters high school this fall and I know that the coaches at Mustang are already excited to have him get into the high school. There's a good reason why Pogi is already on the radar as a quarterback prospect at such a young age and he backed up the hype this weekend.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eIf that Pogi last name sounds familiar, it should. Tyson is the son of former All-State and Oklahoma State Quarterback, Aso Pogi. The younger Pogi appears to be a chip off the old block in terms of athletic ability, as Tyson is an elite two-sport athlete just like his pops. Was happy to hear he met the expectations of scouts who already knew of him. The combination of him and Alexander was lethal, from what I was told. Tyson is a very fun dual-threat Quarterback to watch and you can see him use the same twitch and quickness he has on the basketball court, on the gridiron.  Like [player_tooltip player_id='478124' first='Semaj' last='Stanford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='473879' first='Case' last='Alexander'] above, Pogi has been on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist for months.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["499433"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":693805,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This youngster has a very bright future, and already has the size and athleticism of a big-time ball player. Mason, can unlock his hips and run with #3 up the seam, can bend, has a strong base, and has a knack for forcing turnovers.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eCotton is a prospect I first wrote about back in early November. His film and information came across my desk literally just days after Volume 1 of the PRZ Next 2027 National Watchlist was released, back on Halloween. Meaning that while he wasn't on Volume 1, you better believe the Nebraska native has a spot carved out for him on Volume 2. In the writeup above he's obviously getting some love as a Linebacker, but I love him as a Tight End right now. I think it's too early to project what position he'll ultimately continue to play at the next level, with his size and his obvious continuing to change. The one thing I don't think there's any debate over, is that he projects to playing on Saturdays if he keeps on this trajectory. Big time prospect here.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["473993"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":693896,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Northwest Elite's 14U squad came up just shy of winning the championship as they fell to Sooner 7 in the title game on Sunday afternoon. However, they had a great tournament with a 6-1 record and 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='473993' first='Canon' last='Bronson'] from Edmond had a really strong showing throughout the tournament. Bronson didn't get all the reps at the quarterback position for them throughout the weekend, but it felt like every time I watched them, he was at the quarterback spot and making plays with his arm. The thing that really stood out to me was his ability to push the ball down field. He already has pretty decent size and the ball was jumping out of his hands. He put it on a rope several times during the tournament while also showing nice touch to get it over defender's hands.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cemu003eAnother 2027 prospect from Oklahoma that has been on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist from its initial release, Bronson is a must-know prospect in the Sooner State. The University of Oklahoma uses the hashtag #OUDNA on social media and that's what he has. The son of the late Jason Bronson, who played Offensive Line in the late 90s, the athletic genes are there. He had a tremendous middle school career at Deer Creek Middle School and hopefully continues to move the needle in terms of recruiting attention.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["693877"],"_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":"Team EMPIRE had a quarterback that I had the chance to watch that intrigued me. Kruse is 6'1″ and weighing in around 175 pounds. He is out of the Kansas City area and has a strong arm. He made his read and got the ball out quickly. Kruse made throws where his receivers could catch them and delivered a good touch on his deep balls. Kruse is currently in 8th grade and competed up from the class of 2027.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eI've had my eye on Kruse for a long time based off some rumblings I heard from people in the KC Metro area and I'm very pleased to have gotten some great reports back on his ability. The writeup encapsulates a lot of the things I was hearing about him in terms of size and getting rid of the ball quickly. His deep ball is what people close to him were raving about and we can now verify that the 2027 prospect has some strength and can really toss the pigskin out there for his playmakers to go get. Kruse did a lot of things at the Sooner State Shootout, including officially earning a spot on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist. u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["693905"],"_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":"Another youngster with some serious upside. Matthews has the wiggle, top-end speed, effortless stop u0026amp; start, and is a downright gamer.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eA new name to me on the national level, but is a no-brainer for the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist after what I've seen. Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma is getting an extremely talented athlete in Matthews. Both on the basketball court and on the football field, he can go. At the Sooner State Shootout I was told he was making a ton of impressive catches throughout the weekend, which is scary considering he's a natural Running Back. While he also plays some Corner, right now he projects to the offensive side of the ball in my opinion. He fast, agile and has better ball skills than a lot of Wide Receivers right now. He was impressive the Uso's Gold team alongside Pogi and Alexander.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":693943,"_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='934979' first='Pete' last='Dorsey']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The Kansas Elite program had an up and down weekend but for the 14U team, their quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='934979' first='Pete' last='Dorsey'] got things started off on Sunday with a bang. In one of the first games of the day in bracket play, Dorsey had some clutch plays down the stretch as they beat 918 Elite in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament. They would come up short in that round but Dorsey showed great poise down the stretch when Kansas Elite needed that from him. He also had a close win on Saturday against Stampede and fellow 14U quarterback standout Landen Gonzalez. The 2027 quarterback from Wellsville really impressed us with his accuracy throughout the weekend but it was his play in the closest and toughest games that stuck out.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eAnother new name to me coming from the 7v7 tournament was Dorsey. Admittedly I don't have the strongest knowledge or relationships in the state of Kansas, so hearing about a 2027 that performed well against some big time programs from more of the u0022traditional football statesu0022 like Oklahoma and Texas was encouraging. He's the younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='446299' first='Willie' last='Dorsey'], who is currently ranked the No.11 QB and 85th overall player in our Kansas 2024 rankings. While I'm not ready to throw him on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist just yet, he's one that I'm keeping my eye on throughout the spring and summer with the hopes that he earns a spot before the final list is published in late August.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["693998"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eDaniel earned a Top Performer graphic for his play at the Sooner State Shootout but didn't get a write up. When I heard about him I was immediately intrigued by his 6-foot-3 height, but after watching some film of him, he has ability as well. He's obviously a taller kid right now but also has decent mass on him considering his length and where he is developmentally. Love the fact that he's also a basketball player, which means his feet should continue to improve. Tight Ends can get lost in the shuffle a bit on the 7v7 scene since it's essentially a speed game, however, he made enough flashy plays to make us take notice. It's early in his development but his regular season film shows ability as a Defensive End too. He earned a spot on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist for his efforts.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["523223"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_player_featured_image":694067,"_player_evaluations_9_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Northwest Elite's 14U squad made it all the way to the championship game before falling short to Sooner 7. But they had plenty of fireworks throughout pool and bracket play. They made it to the championship game when wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='523223' first='Gage' last='Gibbons'] found himself all alone and could walk in to the end zone to punch their ticket to the championship game. Gibbons is another example of a wide receiver that just seems to find a way to get open. He still has plenty of time to grow and become more of a threat physically. But right now, it's the fact that he knows how to get open and has a good connection with his quarterback that stood out this weekend.rnrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eAL Pops: u003c/strongu003eGibbons is a prospect that has been on my radar for some time and I'm sure to check back in on via social media every other week or so. He attended our PRZ Next Middle School Showcase at the end of January and was hand-timed at a 4.78 in the forty, showing off some wheels. He was a regular season teammate of Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='473993' first='Canon' last='Bronson'] at Deer Creek Middle School and the duo again were lockstep in 7v7 tournament. He's another kid that's not on the National Watchlist yet but we'll continue to monitor over the next few months.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640901a9dc5b1"} /-->