The 8th Grader In Each State That I’d Be First to Offer

Alabama – MVP of his eighth-grade Team. Tallied 1,175 total yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games. He’ll be at Thompson High School

Arizona – Transformational Tight End prospect at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. Can stretch the field vertically and has improved like crazy with his blocking. He’ll be at Saguaro High School.

Arkansas – Impressive athlete that can play split out wide, in the backfield, in the secondary and/or in the return game. Vision, agility and explosion are all major plusses. He’ll be at Benton High School.

California – Originally from Colorado, but moved to So. Cal and reclassified to the 2027 class. A verified 6-foot-4 and 210 pound prospect that looks special. Listed as an Athlete but would be shocked if he’s not a Tight End.

Colorado – Big Tight End/Defensive End type of kid standing 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds right now. Soft hands and big target if he stays at TE. Length and overall size helps if he flips to D-End. Brother recently transferred to UCLA after great All-American season at UPenn.

Connecticut – A tall, long, lean wide receiver prospect that we measured at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds at camp. Really starting to come into his own as a prospect after being ‘the best kid on the field so he just lined up wherever’. Older brother is a 2024 prospect getting D1 offers in both lacrosse and football. Dad played at Temple. He’ll be at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.

Delaware – Looks a lot bigger than the 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds he’s billed at. Long limbs and plays angry. The safe bet is for him to play Linebacker, but as I’ve said a bunch over the last few months, don’t be surprised if he ends up as a Defensive End. He’ll be at Red Lion Christian Academy.

Florida – They don’t make ’em like this every day. Joshua Jones is amongst the most physically impressive eighth-grade football prospects I have seen in my 13-year career of evaluating middle school prospects. Stands 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds with the build of a defensive end, but the speed and mobility of scat back. He’s special.

Georgia – Last June I texted several coaches at big name programs that I’m close with, saying that, “I had just seen the most dominant seventh grader in the country”, when talking about Jacobs. He’s every bit of 6-foot-4, 185 pounds and growing. His dad played at Georgia in the early 2000’s. Listed as an Athlete now, but could become a future first round NFL pick at Defensive End.

Hawaii – Hailing from a state that is traditionally full of big, athletic bodies, Malaki is a two-way lineman I really like. Obviously an offer at this point would be tough given he’s only 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, but out of all the Hawaiin prospects I’ve seen in the 2027 class, I think there’s a lot to work with here.

Illinois – Standing 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds with athletic ability in both football and basketball. One heck of a mismatch on the outside as a big-body wide receiver that has bullied high school upperclassmen all winter and spring long on the camp scene. Older sister plays soccer at Michigan. He’ll be at Mt. Carmel for high school.

Indiana – Saw him line up against a lot of the perceived top defensive players in the country and blow past them when running his routes. Very long and thin, with an enormous catch radius. Despite his slender frame, is not afraid to dip a shoulder. Think Randy Moss build, just without the blazing speed…yet.

Kansas – Every bit of 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds right now. Can play either offensive tackle spot, in addition to defensive end and defensive tackle. Another multi-sport athlete with agility that is improving daily. Bends well and moves his feet consistently for this age level. He’ll be at Salina Central High School.

Kentucky – Insanely talented athlete that has a legitimate shot at being All-State in football, basketball and baseball when he gets to Martha Layne Collins High School next year. Stands right around 6-foot-2 and weighs 170 pounds. Equally as good as a wide receiver than he is as a defensive back. Older brother recently committed to play Division 1 basketball at Bellarmine University, after originally signing to play D1 football at Army.

Louisiana – There aren’t 6-foot-5, 190-pound class of 2027 athletes walking around everywhere. So when there are, somebody needs to get an offer out there quickly. Haven has been dunking a basketball for years and is also a tremendous basketball player, too. On the football field, already has varsity experience as a quarterback and wide receiver. He’s a special one.

Maryland – An absolute sleeping giant of a prospect here in K’Marion Hall. Has the ideal frame in terms of length and overall body composition at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. Has decent muscle mass now but can, and will, easily add the size and strength that could see him bump inside to play on the interior line. Violent tackler that can chase ball carriers to the boundary step for step. Buy stock early here.

Massachusetts – Out of any Quarterback I’ve been around for an extended period of time in this 2027 class, Wood is the signal caller that gets my vote as the best leader. Right at about 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds of good muscle, he has an absolute cannon for an arm and can make any throw you need him to. He’ll be at Xaverian Brothers High School in the fall.

Michigan – Somewhere between a Tight End and Wide Receiver right now at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Comes with the route running ability and hands to be a threat on multiple levels of the offense–including in the deep game. Brings enough speed to tack on yards after the catch but his bread and butter is the red zone. Borderline elite body control and uses his bigger frame to box out defenders to win 50/50 balls. Also has a big catch radius, serving as a safety net for quarterback’s looking to dump off a ball under duress.

Minnesota – Standing somewhere right around 6-foot-2 and approaching 250 pounds, Haywood is the top kid I’ve seen in Minnesota for this 2027 class. He’s going to be a very recruitable kid as a defensive lineman, having already visited with the hometown Gophers. During his pre-high school ball, he also played running back and tight end. He’ll be at Benilde-St. Margaret for high school.

Missouri – Officially measured in at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds at a recent combine and was clocked at a legit 4.64 in the forty and a 4.82 in the pro-agility. Despite only being an eighth-grader, both times were in the top 10 out of nearly 250 athletes in the class of 2023-2027. Also a menace on the basketball court, helping his middle school win a championship. Dad was an All-State player in high school and All-Confernce player at Western Illinois. He’ll be at Luthern North High School.

Montana – I’d be lying to you if I said, “I know a lot about football in Montana”, because I absolutely don’t. That said, I feel I can recognize unique athletic ability pretty quickly and Cunningham has it. Right now stand 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds with a powerful lower body. Unquestionably, a basketball player first then a football player, but the skill set translates well. Despite being nearly a year younger than his classmates brought home MVP awards in football, basketball and track last year. Has since reclassed to the 2027 class and will be at Charles M. Russell High School in the fall.

Nebraska – A really good looking Linebacker/Tight End-looking prospect at 6-foot-1 and 195-solid-pounds. Runs routes like a wide receiver and gets off the line quickly. Despite not much shake and wiggle in his game, has dominated the 7v7 scene as an oversized slot receiver. I think eventual move is to Tight End, where he hopefully tacks on some more height; or to linebacker, where he’s an instant starter at most high school programs in the country. He’ll be at Lincoln Southeast High School.

Nevada – Big time up and comer on the defensive secondary. Has the length and size of a free safety at 6-foot-2 and 150 pounds, but the feet and hips of a cover corner. Looks very comfortable playing in space but depending on his physical development, could see him walking down into the box in support. With his size, has ability to cover guys in the slot or bigger tight ends trying to run up the seem. Also a very good wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball and wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up there either.

New Hampshire – Was a one-man wrecking crew as a Running Back/Linebacker/Returner this past season for the Nashua PAL Force and then for the New Hampshire AYF All-Stars. Absolutely shredded and rocked up for a prospect just in the eighth grade. In the neighborhood of 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds right now and adding more muscle each day. An ideal blend of power, speed and balance–he’d be a standout anywhere in the country. Unsure on where he’s going to high school, but if he stays in New Hampshire, he could potentially rewrite the history books in the Granite State.

New Jersey – At 5-foot-11 and now up to 180 pounds, Porter is getting ready to explode onto the recruiting scene and some school is going to look really smart by being first to offer him. He’s tacked on 10-15 pounds since I first wrote about him this past fall and I can’t say enough good things about his game. Dominated pre-high school football as a running back, but also a gifted wide out. He’s the younger brother of fast-rising 2025 prospect Quincy Porter who holds double-digit offers. The duo will be at Bergen Catholic this upcoming season.

New York – Up until a week ago running back Kory Brown would have been my obvious answer here but Rutgers became the first program to pull the trigger on him. Enter Mamadee Sangaray. Sangaray has the body and skillset that everyone is looking for in today’s cornerback. At 6-foot and 170 pounds (unverified) he’s extremely long, explosive and can play physical in coverage. Works hard to stay low in his back pedal, but can then plant and flip his hips without losing a step. Trains alongside Samuel Madu, our #1 ranked defensive back in New York for 2024. Sangaray will be at Iona Prep this fall.

North Carolina – You will not find a more physically impressive 2027 running back in the entire state of North Carolina, than Amir Brown. He’s listed as being up to 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds (unverified) with a body that looks like he could play college football right now. There’s not many eighth graders that look him. Throughout his middle school career, he has been nothing short of outstanding and a producer that West Millbrook Middle School will surely miss as he moves onto high school. A workhorse back that gets better as games go on and the more touches he gets.

Ohio – If a football program out there doesn’t offer Brayton Feister, there will absolutely be a wrestling program waiting to do so. An absolute physical specimen at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. Recently became only the 10th wrestler ever to win three Ohio Junior High State Championships. Ungodly strong and driven in the weight room, already squatting 405 for reps. Plays linebacker like his hair’s on fire and is the best-tackling linebacker I’ve seen in this 2027 class. Scariest thing is that he may have been an even better running back during his pre-high school football.  He’ll be at Archbishop Hoban in the fall.

Oklahoma – Semaj Stanford is a 2027 prospect that will be at Jenks High School in the fall. He’s a two-way standout that I happen to love as a running back, while others view him as a safety. The argument for him as more of a safety is fueled by an excellent pair of hands, and the fact that his older brother Jalyn will be at the University of Houston as a safety this fall. The younger Stanford is reportedly near the size of his brother, standing an unverified 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds. Possesses a nice, athletic frame and should be a highly recruited player.

Oregon – Ball skills and quick-twitch is on another level than the majority of prospects not only in Oregon, but in the entire country for this 2027 class. Dominated the competition locally, has been playing on an 18U 7v7 team as an eighth-grader and will be playing in the Oregon All-State Game later this summer. Ability to high point the ball just looks different when he’s doing it. Stands 6-foot and 160 pounds with the can’t-miss genetics, as his dad was a former first round pick and his brother is currently on the Tennessee Titans. He’ll be at West Linn High School in the fall. Somebody needs to offer ASAP.

Pennsylvania – This state has an absolutely loaded 2027 class and I’ve long said that Roman Thompson is the most promising prospect of the bunch. He’s a man amongst boys when it comes to football and wrestling, which is saying a lot for the Keystone State. The reigning Pennsylvania Junior State Champion at 192 pounds is can’t-miss on the football as well. An athletic, fast and violent linebacker that finds himself in the right position on every play. In the rare occasion that he finds himself out of position, he has the speed to chase down ball carriers from behind. Thompson’s looking like a no doubter for the P5 level. He’ll be at North Hills High School in the fall.

Rhode Island – Super talented athlete in multiple sports, namely basketball and football. Stands in the neighborhood of 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds with very long arms. Originally loved him as a Tight End because of how he stretches the field vertically and the types of catches he can make. However, after seeing him play Outside Linebacker, there could be a future for him there or as an Edge defender. Displays great hand-eye coordination and mid-air awareness when trying to come down with a catch. Really anticipate him being some Quarterback’s best friend over the next four years with his ability to win 50/50 balls.

South Carolina – There’s not a 6-foot-4, 305-pounds two-way incoming freshman in every program, but there is at Gaffney High School. Brooks will have a verbal offer by Thanksgiving of this year, but it would make some program look really smart to be in on him first. While he obviously dominated by side of the ball in middle school, Brooks has future interior offensive lineman written all over him. For being so big, so young, he was great strength in his trunk, keeps a flat back at the point of engagement and moves his feet like a prospect half his size.

South Dakota – To be transparent, Semchenko got the nod by default here, since I don’t have another 2027 South Dakota prospect on my list at this point. That’s not to say he isn’t well-deserving of the recognition because the young man has size and improving ability. At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds in the eighth grade, he’s reportedly the same size or bigger than his older brother, 2025 prospect Lincoln Semchenko. The older Semchenko is starting to see college interest pick up a bit, receiving camp invites from BIG10, MAC and FCS schools. The brothers will be at Sioux Falls Christian in the fall.

Texas – There could have been 50+ kids I put in those spot, but I went with Blaylock because of the upside that the eighth-grader has. At 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds, he’s just starting to grow and if his 7v7 and training clips are any indication, he’s gonna be just fine. His dad played in the NFL for seven years and now trains him. His older brother is 2025 running back prospect Tory Blaylock who holds over 30 offers. Atascocita High School churns out highly-coveted prospects every year and that trend continues here.

Utah – Already standing 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds of pure muscle, Jones is a prospect that should see a lot of interest early. The Linebacker/Defensive End/Edge/Tight End prospect has already visited BYU and Boise State, with plans to visit more this summer. Both BYU and the Utah Utes have traditionally offered prospects early, so don’t be surprised if it happens here. Wakes up every day and chooses violence, which I love to see in a defensive player whose main goal is to get after the quarterback. Look for big things from him at Ridgeline High School.

Virginia – There’s not too much to not love about what Rainer adds in value on the football field. Above all else, the kid competes and holds himself and everyone else around him to a very high standard. At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds he can shut down opposing receivers with finesse but can also lay the wood if the situation calls for it. Comes from tremendous bloodlines with a dad that played in the NFL and a pair of D1 older brothers. He’ll be at Trinity Episcopal School.

Washington – Standing just under 6-foot-2 and a thick 265 pounds, he’s a really good-looking two-way lineman prospect. Also a two-time District Champion in wrestling, he understands leverage and momentum. Plays interior defensive tackle and offensive guard with gifted balance and power. Has visited several schools already and will be at Oregon State next. His older brother, 2025 prospect Peyton Cunningham already holds a Washington State offer. The brothers will be at North Creek High School.