PRZ Next 2027 Watchlist Vol. 2 – Washington 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 Washington Class of 2027 Watchlist
Athletic interior Defensive Lineman that plays the game with an intensity that is rarely matched on the middle school level. Good, not great, size right now. If he can leao harness his intensity, kid will be going places.
Washington always puts out some big, tough Offensive Linemen and Cunningham fits the bill. Thick in all the right places and can climb the ladder. I like him as an inside guy right now.
Bullinger is starting to come together at the right time, as he gets set to enter high school. Tall kid in the 6’4″ – 6’5″ range but needs to pack on the pounds on high school. Improving daily with his pass set. A lot of potential here.
Concluding the initial run (alphabetically listed) on linemen, Canfield is another big dude to know. I really like what I see in his development on film from the summer until present day. Heavy-handed and can play either Guard or Tackle.
Doesn’t have the omg-speed that some of the other 2027 Running Backs have on this Watchlist, but has more than enough to pick up big chunks of yards. Strong kid who keeps the chains moving and doesn’t shy from contact.
Is part of the famed Team FSP and looks like to be an absolute gem on both sides of the ball. Headed to Eastside Catholic next year. Agile, strong and calculated with his movements. When he plants that foot to get forward momentum going, you hear and feel the thud. Moves with purpose.
I’ll take a kid like Orcutt on my team, any day of the week. Listed as an Athlete, becaue he can line up at Wide Receiver, Defensive Back, Linebacker and even Quarterback when times get tough. Does a phenomenal job at high-pointing the ball in one-on-one situations.
If and when he puts it all together, this is a kid that has the potential to be playing on Saturday’s at some level. His size is on point and his raw athleticism is noticeable. Moves a little too slow-footed in terms of agility and getting back on balance once off-platform. Has the size and potential to be a difference-maker.
Highlights
Speed personified. If he gets a step on a defender while out on a pattern, I feel for the guy playing in trail. If he gets a hand off or a toss, you better believe he’s headed for the edge and there aren’t many that will be stopping him from getting there. Once he tacks on some size or muscle, he’s the complete package.
In my opinion, the top overall player in the state of Washington for this 2027 class at this point. Plays an athletic, physical and violent brand of football on the field, but is seemingly one of the most polite 2027 prospects I’ve met in this pre-high school cycle. I think he’s a bonafide P5 player.
One of those players that has the ability to impact the game on every snap if he’s on the field. Plays with the ball skills of a Wide Receiver, the vision of a Running Back and the spacial awareness of Safety. Yet, also strong enough to help against the run on defense. Also not a bad option with this speed, to help in the return game.