PRZ Next 2027 Watchlist Vol. 2 – Arkansas 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. Following…
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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 Arkansas Class of 2027 Watchlist
Chase is one of those quarterbacks beginning to make a name for himself very early on in his football career. The 5’10, and 150-pound field general has been very active on the 7-on-7 circuit around the south and has been showing out. Chase has a very fluid throwing motion and knows how to place the ball perfectly. He throws easy and catchable balls with the unique touch that he puts on each of his throws. Look out for Chase as he has the potential to make a big jump when he reaches the high school level of football.
Highlights
Hayden is a big dual-sport athlete who shows out on the basketball court and the football field. With a 6’4 frame, Hayden already has the size to play primetime football, even at his age. Hayden moves around really well and knows how to use his size. With his power and explosion, look for him to continue to dominate in the sports world in the coming years.
Jackson Denton Jackson Denton 5’10” | 160 lbs | QB Warren | 2027 State AR is that classic quarterback who balls out on the football field and on the mound. Jackson is an athletic improviser in the pocket and has a knack for extending broken plays. Denton has phenomenal arm talent, and excells with placing the ball for his wideouts to make the catch in stride. Jackson has shown to be a great quarterback so far and has tremendous upside potential. Look for him to continue to light up scoreboards and stat sheets at the next level.
Highlights
TJ Williams TJ Williams 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Benton | 2027 State AR is an explosive athlete to keep an eye on as he makes the jump up to the next level of competition. TJ is an elusive runner with phenomenal top-end speed. With his balance and athleticism, TJ is a tough one to take down when he has the ball in his hands. He is also a lockdown defender who can keep up with anyone on the football field. I expect TJ to continue to build on his early successes at the high school level very soon.
The prospects listed above, join the Louisiana 2027 prospects that were already on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist from October.
Aaron Austin III Aaron Austin III 5'9" | 130 lbs | ATH Bryant | 2027 State AR | Athlete
Brody James Brody James 6'0" | 270 lbs | OL Benton | 2027 State AR | Defensive Line
Ja’Vion Walker Ja’Vion Walker 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Pulaski Academy | 2027 State AR | Running Back
Joseph JoJo Accelus Joseph JoJo Accelus 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Monticello | 2027 AR | Running Back
Tayshawn Edwards Tayshawn Edwards 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Warren | 2027 State AR | Wide Receiver
Treyson Reith Treyson Reith 6'0" | 150 lbs | DB Springdale Har-Ber | 2027 State AR | Defensive Back