PRZ Next 2027 Watchlist Vol. 2 – Arizona Updated Watchlist
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The PRZ Next 2027 Watchlist has officially been updated as of March 29th, 2023. To view the entire list, click here. Volume 2 of the biggest pre-high school prospect list in the nation contains nearly 1,100 class of 2027 prospects.…
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Continue ReadingThe PRZ Next 2027 Watchlist has officially been updated as of March 29th, 2023. To view the entire list, click here.
Volume 2 of the biggest pre-high school prospect list in the nation contains nearly 1,100 class of 2027 prospects. Following the release of Volume 1 on October 31st, 2022, PRZ Next has continued to do our best to find the top middle school prospects in each state across the country.
Let us be 100% crystal clear: This is NOT the final list.
We are adding new prospects every day, behind the scenes. The list will be updated TWO MORE TIMES this off-season, with new athletes becoming visible on the Watchlist in late June and August. The final list will be released in mid-August, as these athletes are set to begin their high school careers.
Unlike the high school level, there are no official stats or national database of middle school football players or teams, like MaxPreps does for high school. There is also no obligation to film games or post them to film-sharing platforms, like Hudl. While we stand firmly by our Watchlist, it is important to understand that these very early looks can & will change drastically.
We aren’t sleeping on you. We may not have even seen you, yet.
With the explosion of social media and recruiting efforts ramping up earlier than ever before, there are literally tens of thousands of middle school prospects out there to evaluate. We’re never going to see every prospect–but we we will do our best as always. The Hall of Fame misses on NFL greats. GMs in the NFL miss on college prospects. Colleges miss on high school All-American’s. We may miss on the eighth-grade level — it happens. However, we use our years of expertise and judgement on eighth-grade talent we see live and on film. We do our homework by talking to coaches and researching the ability of athletes.
“But I’m ranked on ABC site & I got invited to play in the XYX camp/game. How am I not on your list?“
On the pre-high school level, if you’re willing to pay enough money, you will find someone to call your 2027 prospect an “all-American” or get “invited” to some event. Prior to high school, football as a whole, is not set up well enough to truly find all the top kids. There will always be invites and all-American games, but that does not factor into our decision-making at all. Film and in-person scouting will trump any invites or titles a prospect may receive/earn/buy.
So why does the Prep Redzone Next 2027 Football Prospect list matter?
Just look at the previous results. This list matters because it is the deepest, most-heavily scrutinized and far-and-away most accurate national list you will find anywhere, on the middle school level. National Scouting Director, Al “Pops” Popadines has been evaluating talent on the middle school level since 2010 and has been on the forefront of early-prospect identification. Pops’ list of athletes identified as middle schoolers, includes dozens of athletes that are now in the NFL and several thousand that have gone on to play/are currently playing at the college level. Names like Bryan Bresee of Clemson and Quinn Ewers of Texas, made the list as eighth-graders and both eventually became the No.1 player in their recruiting class.
Finally, Here’s a look at the Updated Arizona Class of 2027 Watchlist
Physical, mean, athletic Defensive Back/Wide Receiver/Athlete. Well built with muscle requisite to this frame. Projects to play a big time level of college ball.
Long, athletic kid that can play Safety, Corner or Wide Receiver. Ball skills are a major plus. Would trust him to play centerfield on defense and/or as my deep ball threat on offense.
Very active Linebacker who was seemingly in on every tackle. Has room to grow athletically.
Defensive Lineman that can play both interior and on the edge right now. Projects to more of a Defensive End at this point.
Competitor that loves to win. Versatile kid. Can, and has, played Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Defensive Back and more.
Highlights
Comes from D1 bloodlines (Dad played 8 years in NFL. Brother is Oregon WR Kyler Casper). Flat out makes things happen when the ball is in his hands, on both sides of the ball.
Insane amount of ball skills in both the secondary and as a wide receiver. Didn’t get a lot of burn on offense this past season, but can easily play there. Size is the question right now.
Big, thick, throwback type of Middle Linebacker. Also plays Running Back in short yardage situations on offense. A-Gap thumper. Could almost pass for an athletic interior Defensive Tackle with his build right now.
Quarterback with a tremendously quick release and athletic frame. Accurate, smart, plays with swag–everything you want in a Quarterback.
Fast, strong and aggressive as an Outside Linebacker/Defensive End. Fires off the ball quickly and regularly chases down plays on the opposite side of the field, going away from him
Highlights
Tackling machine on defense and a solid running back on offense. One of the surest tacklers in Arizona for this 2027 class that I’ve seen.
Another bigger, thicker linebacker at this point. However, unlike some other prospects, he can move very well too. Have been impressed in the 7v7 clips I’ve seen of him, moving significantly better than one would think.
Son of 2011 KC Chiefs first-round pick, Jon Baldwin. Sky is the limit for this prospect who has every bit of the potential to become a top-5, kid in Arizona for the 2027 class when all is said and done.
Highlights
Looking forward to getting official measurements on him, but either way, he’s a big kid (in the 6’4″ – 6’6″ range). Projects to become a D1 offensive tackle if he keeps on the trajectory he’s on.
Highlights
The son of 2001 Rams first-round pick (then in St. Louis), Adam Archuleta. Currently on the smaller side but every bit the athlete his dad was. Plays fearlessly. Has the natural instincts to decide to go for the body or the ball in bang-bang situations.
Highlights
Loved what I’ve seen out of him during 7v7 ball this spring. Well put-together and plays with urgency in the defensive secondary. Can see him playing as a don’t-have-to-take-off-the-field strong safety going forward.
Highlights
Tough as nails in the 7v7 film I’ve seen of him. Have him as a Wide Receiver but could easily play Safety too. Legitimately plays with the mentality–like the rules says–that he has the same right to the ball as the player on the opposite side of the ball. Really like him.
Like Dominick Barjona Dominick Barjona 5’9″ | 145 lbs | QB Williams Field | 2027 AZ and Braylon Kasper Braylon Kasper 5’11” | 160 lbs | WR Williams Field | 2027 AZ above, and others that are or will be on this list, is headed to Williams Field High School in the fall. Quick and athletic. Can get physical, but plays a more finesse style right now.
Big kid with a thick, powerful lower half that appears to be just starting to scratch the surface of what he could become. In terms of this Arizona 2027 class, may have the biggest upside out of anyone so far. Also plays Rugby.
In terms of having a varsity-ready body already, the big lefty certainly ranks at, or near, the top. Thick calves, shoulders and lats. Checks a lot of boxes fundamentally. Another one that looks like he could become big time.
Comes from a family where one brother is in the NFL (Stanley Berryhill Jr. – Detroit Lions) and another brother that currently holds offer(s) ( Shamar Berryhill Shamar Berryhill 6’1″ | 200 lbs | WR Centennial | 2025 State AZ – class of 2025) . Lil’ Romeo may be the most naturally fast and gifted of the trio. I see him becoming a more-than significant P5 cornerback.
Yet another Offensive Lineman off the FutureU team that went to the Pop Warner National Championship this past year. Doesn’t have the insane size of Jennings or Hildebrand right now, but plays with the mean streak you want all hogmolly’s to to play with.
Highlights
Nicknamed “Biggie”, he shows up in a large way when the lights come on. Has a great build, can make guys miss and hits an extra gear when he sees daylight. A very versatile and complete back right now. Can also contribute in the return game.
The son of Saguaro Sabercat Offensive Analyst John Overstreet, Tyler is one that I’m waiting to see bloom. Has pretty good size as a Tight End/Linebacker right now and continues to impress on both sides. Plays a little stiff and robotic right now. Looking forward to seeing what continued agility and speed work will do.
Highlights
Gets in and out of breaks better than most high school upperclassmen at this point. Has played up in some of the biggest 7v7 tournaments in the country, and does more than fit in. The potential is so great here.
Highlights
The prospects listed above, join the Arizona 2027 prospects that were already on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist from October.
Amos Augustine Amos Augustine 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR AZ | Wide Receiver
Charles Chaney Charles Chaney 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB Salpointe Catholic | 2027 AZ | Linebacker
David Rushing David Rushing 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Salpointe Catholic | 2027 AZ | Wide Receiver
Judah Lancaster Judah Lancaster 6'4" | 205 lbs | TE Tolleson | 2027 State AZ | Tight End
Mark Woods | Defensive Back
Matthew Avelar Matthew Avelar 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Salpointe Catholic | 2027 AZ | Quarterback
Ruben Bravo Ruben Bravo 5'9" | 155 lbs | ATH Tucson | 2027 AZ | Athlete