PRZ Next 2027 Watchlist Vol. 2 – Nebraska 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 Nebraska Class of 2027 Watchlist
Barrett is a big-time linebacker to keep tabs on in the class of 2027. With Barrett also playing running back, he proves to have great speed and a nose for the ball when he is in the defensive box. One of my favorite aspects of Barret’s game is the level of physicality that he brings to the table when he is on the field. Look for Barrett to rack up some big-time stats on both sides of the ball as he makes the jump to the high school level of competition.
Evan is a big defensive lineman with an explosive edge about him, making him an absolute force in the trenches. With his big 6’2 frame, Evan has the length to get extension on opposing offensive linemen and shed them easily. Evan also knows how to use his body to win head-to-head battles, thanks to his skilled experience in wrestling. Overall, Evan is growing into the prototypical frame of a prime-time defensive lineman. It won’t be long until he is getting looks from some of the national powerhouse programs around the country.
Jasiah is a quaterback that I had a chance to see evaluate at camp earlier this year. With a bunch of big performances following his 2nd Team honors from the PRZ Next camp, it is clear that Jasiah is beginning to make a name for himself around the midwest. One of the key attributes of Summerfield’s is his timing. With his quick release and effortless footwork in the pocket, Jasiah can protect himself from pressure and protect his receivers with easy and on-time throws. Overall, Jasiah has a very high ceiling, and he is going to be a problem for defenses once he reaches his potential.
Julian is a linebacker who looks to be gearing up for a big-time spring with all of the showcase invites that he has been stacking up lately. The 5’11 linebacker plays with a downhill and physical edge that makes him a force in the defensive box. Julian seems to be the complete package at linebacker with lateral speed and tenacity. If Julian continues to build off of his early success, he is going to find himself at the top of recruiting boards around the Midwest very soon.
Highlights
Kobe is the prototypical dual-sport athlete that competes at a high level in both football and basketball. At wideout, Kobe is an elusive route runner who has proven to have a knack for finding voids in defenses and getting open. Kobe also has some high top-end speed which allows him to break away from defenders or stack them on deeper routes. Overall, Kobe is a very impressive competitor who is going to ball out no matter what he is doing. I am very excited to see what he can do as he heads into his high school career.
Highlights
Mason Cotton Mason Cotton 6’3″ | 205 lbs | TE Lincoln Southeast | 2027 NE is an athlete to keep an eye on in the early parts of his high school career. Standing at 6’1, Mason is growing into the ideal frame of an elite wideout/tight end in any offensive system. From what I have seen, Mason is a gifted route runner with natural catching ability. When he is on the run, Mason allows the ball to come to him and effortlessly maintains his stride after he secures the catch. Overall, Mason is a prospect to get excited about as he prepares for a big high school career.
Ryan is a big linebacker who has proven to be elite in both football and wrestling. As a wrestler, Ryan has stacked up an impressive 46-6 record with a staggering 41 pins to his name. Ryan translates his experience as a wrestler over to being a physical linebacker who knows how to bring people down. Overall, with him being one of the nastier ball players that I have seen, I wouldn’t be surprised to see his stock rise in both football and wrestling throughout his high school career.
Highlights
Ty is another big defensive lineman who is already growing into the frame of a big-time defensive lineman in the state of Nebraska. At 6-foot-3, Ty is one of those rare three sport athletes who seems like he can do anything revoliving around sports. On the gridiron, Ty has an explosive edge that allows him to get a jump on the snap and get around offensive linemen before they even get a chance to get hands on. From what I have seen from Ty, it is clear that the sky is the limit for what he can do as a football player.
The prospects listed above, join the Nebraska 2027 prospects that were already on the 2027 PRZ Next National Watchlist from October.
Braylen Warren Braylen Warren 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2027 NE | Quarterback
Bryan Bradley Bryan Bradley 5'9" | 210 lbs | DL Lincoln Southeast | 2027 NE | Defensive Line
Gavin Semm Gavin Semm 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Lincoln Southeast | 2027 NE | Quarterback
Jayden Cannon Jayden Cannon 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Creighton Prep | 2027 NE | Running Back
Kadin Logan Kadin Logan 5'7" | 170 lbs | ATH Lincoln Southeast | 2027 NE | Running Back
Kylonn Haynie Kylonn Haynie 5'10" | 200 lbs | ATH Omaha Central | 2027 NE | Linebacker
Tory Pittman III Tory Pittman III 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Omaha Central | 2027 NE | Athlete