2027s Making Noise Early in the Midwest
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Depending on where you live in America’s Heartland, the 2023 high school football season is around the midway point of the regular season, and boy, what a ride it’s been! We’ve seen outstanding individual performances, surprise team wins and upsets,…
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Continue ReadingDepending on where you live in America’s Heartland, the 2023 high school football season is around the midway point of the regular season, and boy, what a ride it’s been! We’ve seen outstanding individual performances, surprise team wins and upsets, significant recruiting news, and a ton of stock risers, breakout stars, and notable movers and shakers in the Midwest high school football scene this fall. One of the my personal favorite details to track and follow during the season is how the current freshman class is performing and responding to high school football, an ever-repeating cycle that never gets uninteresting or insignificant, especially as recruiting continues to move more and more to the forefront of the college football landscape. To be able to play and succeed at the varsity level as a 14-year-old is a big deal and a feat that few can pull off, so especially when talking recruiting, identifying the young bucks finding success in their first year of high school can be quite important and influential. Today, PrepRedzone has pinpointed 11 2027 Midwest freshman making noise at the varsity level this fall and have the chance to be distinguished high school football prospects when it’s all said and done. You’re getting the early scoop right here, right now, so let’s dig in!
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Cory Kirchner (Spring Hill, KS) WR. 6’3, 165 lbs. @cory_kirchner8
Welcome to high school football! Sunflower State native Cory Kirchner entered the ranks of varsity football action with a bang, as he posted 3 receptions for 97 yards and 2 TDs in Spring Hill High School’s season opener against Bonner Springs. With already-present height and a long frame that can hold a significant amount of good weight, Kirchner showed quickness after the catch and the ability to make would-be tacklers miss, as well as the skills to get open against varsity DBs. There isn’t a ton of available film to analyze right now, but another noteworthy aspect of his recruiting resume is his multi-sport background, as Kirchner is already an impressive baseball prospect throwing over 80 MPH and also doubles as a SF and SG for Spring Hill’s basketball team. PRzKS will be keeping close watch on his development and the rest of his freshman football campaign this fall.
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Wyatt Valenta (Dallas Center-Grimes, IA) WR/TE. 6’1, 200 lbs. @WyattValenta27
Representing the Great State of Iowa, which has a few standout freshmen on this PrepRedzone Midwest feature, Dallas Center-Grimes’ standout freshman pass-catcher Wyatt Valenta already measures in at a stout 6’1, 200 lbs. and has been a consistent and steady contributor for the Mustangs all of 2023. In his first three games of action this fall, Valenta displayed good hands that catch the ball away from his body, positional versatility that can line up all over the field at multiple WR positions or as the Y, some solid route-running ability for his age that finds pockets in zone coverage well, and the strength and toughness to finish receptions through contact. He’s a strong and athletic kid with an advanced pass-catching skill set for his age. We’ll see how he keeps growing as he ages and develops, but there’s some good things going for him right now and with the state of Iowa’s history of producing high-quality TEs we at PRzIA are optimistic about Valenta’s future.
Luke Brewer (Norwalk, IA) TE. 6’4, 210 lbs. @lukebrewer87
Another standout freshman making noise from the Hawkeye State, Norwalk’s first-year TE Luke Brewer brings notable size to the table as a 6’4, 210 lber. and colleges are taking notice, as Brewer has already earned gameday invites from Iowa State and Iowa, both of which he checked out in September. He’s undoubtedly a name to know in the state of Iowa’s 2027 recruiting scene, as well as the regional recruiting space, especially with how well Iowa and Iowa State identify and evaluate young, homegrown talent. Of the stud freshman on this list, he’s near or at the top of the list of who could earn a P5 offer first, especially after you take a look at the film, which shows a TE with a ton of length, which helps him both as a blocker and after the catch, where he can slip out of tackle attempts at his lower body, pass-catching ability as an in-line TE or when flexed out that includes a big catch radius, concentration and wingspan to snag passes in traffic, and strength, effort, and technique as a run blocker that is quite above average compared to his peers. Brewer already has a balanced and dynamic skillset that is impressive and compelling in terms of young TE prospects. It’s safe to say he’s on the right track, make sure you remember the name!
Brogan Kjellesvik (Morris, IL) OL/DL. 6’4, 250 lbs. @BroganKjelles
The Land of Lincoln already has an established crop of 2027 prospects with big-time offers and potential, but the linemen are still beginning to emerge in the scene. It’s especially hard to earn varsity reps in the trenches as a freshman, but Morris High School’s Brogan Kjellesvik is bucking the trend and is starting at left tackle this fall in his first year of high school. He’s become a need-to-know name in the 2027 class of Illinois prospects thanks to his play, which includes a couple of reps that shows off a mauling initial pop and finishing strength for a freshman that put a couple older and larger DL onto their backs and hard into the Illinois grass in impressive fashion. He also has a few good reps of him getting out into space, breaking down, and taking quicker defenders out of the play effectively. I also like Kjellesvik’s experience & comfortability in pass pro, although he needs to work on staying square, and he plays with a good base and anchor, a noticeable motor, and the timing to play opponents hands well. For a young buck of his size, he also displays solid flexibility for his age as well as balance and effective footwork when working laterally. He’s an impressive athlete with a balanced and advanced skillset for his age and has a high ceiling as a OL prospect. The future is bright for Kjellesvik if he continues to work hard, develop, and refine his technique.
Anthony Layman (Hanover Central, IN) 6’2, 200 lbs. TE/LB. @Anthonylayman7
Coming out of the Hoosier State and Hanover Central High School, freshman TE Anthony Layman is strongly starting his high school campaign and has been a steady contributor to the Wildcat’s passing attack through the first four weeks of the season. Layman showed he could run a variety of routes with success out of multiple WR spots, and is willing to block and set the edge, although I’d like to see him step up the aggression a tad, and he can break weaker tackle attempts with the ball in hand. With a solid build as a freshman, he’s got the chance to work himself into a physical presence going forward.
Jaylon Hampton (Jackson, MO) RB. 5’5, 160 lbs. @jaylonhampton13
The Show-Me State jumps into the spotlight for our next standout 2027 making noise in the Midwest this season, and RB Jaylon Hampton is a fun one! The electric ball carrier reports a 205 lb. bench press, 405 lb. squat (video evidence), and 215 lb. clean, and his hard work in the weight room has paid off to the tune of 8 total TDs so far through four games of action this fall. Hampton is making a case for one of Missouri’s top freshmen in 2023, and the tape shows off a RB with a playmaking blend of vision, patience, burst, twitch, and balance. I love how he waits for holes to open up and appear, where he explodes through the hole and past the first and second levels of the defense with lethal efficiency. He also keeps defenders on their toes with his suddenness, and can also break tackles thanks to his low center of gravity and strong legs. I also like his willingness to stick his facemask into opponents in pass pro from his RB spot, and he also is an asset in the screen game and has some soft hands out of the backfield. Hampton is a dangerous and productive RB with a fun-to-watch skillset that fits in very well at the varsity level, especially given his age. PRzMO cannot wait for the number of broken tackles, long TD runs, and thrilling reps he’s going to create throughout his prep career. He’s already torn up some of the better defenses in the state in his budding freshman season. You’ll be hearing a lot more about Hampton going forward!
Jude Couzens (Blue Springs South, MO) OL. 6’2, 270 lbs. @JudeCouzens1
We’re staying in the Great State of Missouri for our next 2027 standout, who represents the offensive line position group, and represents it well. Blue Springs South 6’2, 270 lb. RT Jude Couzens is coming off a distinguished middle school career and brings good strength (405 lb. squat) and mobility to the table as a now-freshman offensive tackle. Playing against heavyweight competition such as Rockhurst, Ray-Pec, Lees Summit, and Park Hill High Schools, Couzens demonstrated an excellent pass set that can gain depth to handle speed rushers and drop his base to corral power. He can also bend, has the strength to overpower and finish opponents in the run game, and is athletic enough to efficiently work out in space and neutralize second level defenders. He’s a very impressive athlete at his size and weight and can already hold his own and then some in all aspects of the blocking game. Technique-wise, physically, and athletically, Couzens has the chance to be an outstanding OL prospect in the 2027 class. I am very excited about what I’m seeing from the young lineman so far.
Cael Kongshaug (Iowa City High, IA) QB. 6’3, 215 lbs. @CaelKongshaug
We’re heading back to the Hawkeye State! This time to the home of the Hawkeyes in Iowa City and the talent-rich Iowa City High School program, where 6’3, 215 lb. freshman QB Cael Kongshaug has been making waves on the recruiting scene like he cannonballed off a diving board. Another in-state product already on the radar of the Hawkeyes, Kongshaug received a gameday invite and visited Kinnick Stadium last weekend, a big deal that was not lost on Hawkeye recruiting writers and fanatics. Although he doesn’t have any available film right now, the 6’3, 215 lber. did impress at preseason scrimmages and is coming off a prolific youth football career both in pads and on the 7v7 circuit. PRzIA will be eagerly following Kongshaug’s development going forward.
Gus Corsair (Hays, KS) OL. 6’3, 270 lbs. @gus_corsair
Kansas product Gus Corsair has been manning the left tackle spot for Hays High School since Game 1 of this 2023 high school football season like a seasoned vet, and when you look at his weight room and track & field numbers as an 8th grader it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Corsair posted a 265 lb. hang clean back in August, threw a league-record 162’9″ discus toss in May, and is also nearing a 400 lb. squat. The strength translates well to the gridiron, where he’s displaying the strength to manhandle and finish 5A defensive linemen, good lateral agility and balance to shut down pass rushers and handle twists and stunts as well as work to the second level effectively, and a serious motor and dominant playstyle that doesn’t quit until the whistle blows. He can start/stop and change direction very well for his size, and his strength is far above your normal freshman lineman. Corsair is already a stud and more than ready and able to man the all-important LT spot in the Kansas big school ranks. He’ll be a popular prospect on the recruiting trail sooner rather than later.
Izayveon Moore (Lawrence North, IN) RB. 5’8,165 lbs. @IzayveonM
We’ll be finishing things out in the Hoosier State where some freshmen offensive standouts are thriving. Lawrence North’s stud RB Izayveon Moore has been tearing it up this fall and is one of the Indianapolis area rushing leaders midway through the 2023 season, as he’s sitting at more than 700 rushing yards and nearing 10 TDs through the air and on the ground. The freshman sensation has been a big play waiting to happen all season long so far and has been productive in each and every game against high-quality Indiana competition such as Carmel High School, Lawrence Central, North Central, North Side, and Avon. I’m most impressed by his explosive speed – as if he gets daylight he is gone – his good leg drive and balance post-contact, Moore’s sudden and powerful cuts that he sets up well and are especially dangerous in the open field, quick feet, and good vision. Even on runs that don’t go for significant gains, I like how he fights for as much yardage as possible and generally makes that first tackle attempt miss. He’s got the chance to be special.
Brayson Hurley (Saint Joseph, IN) WR/DB. 6’2, 195 lbs. @BraysonHurley1
Our final stud 2027 making noise on the gridirons of the Midwest as well as the recruiting trail, South Bend’s Saint Joseph High School has a well-built and productive freshman in Brayson Hurley, who had a heckuva introduction to high school ball back in August when he posted 7 catches for 160 yards and 3 TDs in his varsity and high school debut. His efforts this season already landed him a gameday invitation from the Illinois Fighting Illini, who hosted him last weekend. Hurley is already dangerous after the catch and can break tackles in a variety of ways you aren’t used to seeing from 14-year-olds in their first year of high school, and I also am impressed how he can climb the ladder and high point the football over DBs and tight coverage. He also possesses the speed to take the top off the defense, and is overall a quick, controlled, confident, and athletic pass catcher who looks seasoned well above what his age would suggest. When you combine the tape with the size and age, you have the makings of a dominant and productive prep receiver with a heckuva projection to the college level. PRzIN is going to be all over this kid the next three years and then some.