Recruiting Runway: Class of 2027 Prospects to Know – 3.9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College recruiting never stops. With some schools beginning to reach out to some of the upcoming stars in the game, it's important to know about kids that are about to break the internet. The Class of 2027 is loaded with TONS of undiscovered talent around the country and here are some athletes that you need to know about now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["452226"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='452226' first='Jiyez' last='Fleming'] is a running back that everyone should know about, and for good reason. The 6'0 and 175-pound Yellowhammer State running back is one of the grittiest runners I have come across to date in this 2027 class. Jiyez is a shifty back who has no problem making a couple of moves in a short amount of time, in a small amount of space. With that, Fleming has advanced vision that allows him to find running lanes and exploit different gaps in the defense. Most importantly, Jiyez has the breakaway speed that devastates defenses and leads to big plays and even touchdowns. From what I have seen from Jiyez, it is clear that he is one of the top talents in Alabama. If he keeps this up, he is going to find himself at the top of the stat column for years to come.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["400867"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='400867' first='David' last='Rushing'] is another big play threat out on the edge of the fieldu002du002don both sides of the ball. The 5'10 Tucson native athlete is a force to be reckoned with when he puts those pads on. Which shouldn't come as a surprise when looking at his family tree. He's the youngest son of former Florida Gator Tight End, George Rushing. His oldest brother, Cruz, is currently a Safety at Arizona. The middle brother, [player_tooltip player_id='115500' first='Elijah' last='Rushing'], is currently ranked the No.1 Defensive End and No.2 overall 2024 prospect in Arizona per our rankings. Little brother has a chance to be the best of all three. He is a smooth runner who can break away from most corners and can blow the top off of coverages. Another part of David's game that impresses me is ability to work through traffic with the ball in his hands. If he has to work through the middle of the field, he does it with ease. On the defensive side of the ball, he has really impressive length that overwhelms receivers trying to get open. He's grown two inches since last summer and there's no signs of that growth stopping at this point. He's going to be a good one.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["283636"],"_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":"After reclassing from 2026 to 2027 last off-season [player_tooltip player_id='283636' first='Kelton' last='Strickland'] has started to make a name for himself on the national recruiting landscape scene already. The 5'10 California prospect seems to be a magician on the field, proving there is nothing that he can't do at both Running Back and Defensive Back. When he has the ball in his hands, Kelton is a chore to bring down with his speed and agility. Some of the more impressive things that I have seen from him include him bouncing off of tacklers all while continuing to pick up  speed. He was a starting Defensive Back on a loaded OG Ducks team this past season and also got his fair share of touches in the backfield. He was one of several kids from that OG Duck team this year that received an offer from the University of Maryland this past September. If he continues to play like he has to this point, there should be more schools extending an offer his way.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["690863"],"_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 Sunshine State is widely known as one of the premier producers of football talent in this country. [player_tooltip player_id='690863' first='Myles' last='McDonald'] is another one of those athletes who fits the bill as being one of the best that Florida has to offer in this 2027 class. The talented lefty seems to be well-versed in a myriad of different throws. From quick game, to sprint-out concepts, to the deep ball and everything in between. One of the most impressive things that I have seen from Myles is the touch that he puts on the ball. No matter where the ball is going, Myles can place the ball perfectly and on time. He makes even the most difficult, off-platform passes look mundane. With the arm talent that Myles has, I would not be surprised to see his recruiting begin to warm up soon. I am expecting very big things from Myles in the future and fans of recruiting in the state of Florida should start to get familiar with him.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["489529"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='489529' first='Deron' last='Foster'] is another running back to take note of in the class of 2027. We originally covered the Peach State running back back in October and have been watching him since. Hailing from Valdosta, Georgia, which is known as TitleTown, USA after a Netflix Docuseries highlighted the town and football program, Deron stands 5'9 and can pack a punch with the ball in his hands. He is noticeably shifty with the ball in his hands and can make it almost impossible for anyone to tackle him. Another aspect of his game that makes him elite is his breakaway speed. If any defense gives him a few feet of open grass, he can make them pay and break off a huge run. Deron also seems to just bounce off defenders with ease, highlighting his agility and balance. With his low pad level and unassuming body strength, he doesn't go down easy. Deron is one of the more intriguing backs I have had a chance to evaluate so far in this class. If he keeps up his production and packs on the pounds/muscle, the state of Georgia will have yet another future D1 Running Back.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["476581"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='476581' first='Derrick' last='Alexander Jr.'] is a big 2027 prospect at 6-foot-1 and 195-pounds that just happened to play Running Back this past season. The Magnolia State product stands used his size to bully his opponents with the ball in his hands. With him being one of the bigger backs in this class, Derrick bulldozed his way through defenses and mowed over kids on his way to paydirt.  No matter how Derrick was hit while running recovered and kept the ball moving up the field. If he wants to stay at Running Back at the next level he'll need to adjust his running style so he stays lower to the ground to avoid unnecessary hits to his legs. In addition, his straight line speed has to improve if he wants to find the same success on the varsity level. To be clear, we absolutely feel Alexander Jr. has next-level athleticism, size and ability, but don't necessarily see him being a Running Back long term. He's going to be a fun to watch develop over the next four years in Mississippi. Stay tuned here.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["661298"],"_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":"There is always a high demand for big offensive linemen who can bend and move in the football world, and [player_tooltip player_id='661298' first='Noah' last='Smith'] is one of them. The Lone Star State standout measures to be 6'2, weighs 265 pounds and dominates the trenches with his size. One of the first things that stood out to me watching Noah's film from his eighth-grade season at Caffey Junior High, is that he is very patient in pass protection. Watching him sit back and work defenders in his pass pro was one of the most impressive things that I have seen for an Offensive Lineman in this 2027 class. Another part of Noah's game I like, is that he is flat-out nasty in the trenches. He has a very advanced skill set and mean streak to accompany it. The way that Noah moves people on the football field and then pancakes them is poetry in motion for fans of O-Line play. He's off to Iowa Colony High School in the fall and could play early on a relatively young team went 2-8 on the varsity level this past season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6408df3fa8393"} /-->