Freshmen Week: 15 2027s from Indiana Making Noise this Fall
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We are very excited to continue rolling on with our new PrepRedzone Midwest featured series that we are calling “Freshmen Week.” One of our favorite parts about the advancement of a new recruiting cycle is the chance to get an…
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Continue ReadingWe are very excited to continue rolling on with our new PrepRedzone Midwest featured series that we are calling “Freshmen Week.” One of our favorite parts about the advancement of a new recruiting cycle is the chance to get an early look and identification at the potential future superstars of the high school football and recruiting scenes, and with the way CFB recruiting is trending overall, there is becoming more and more of a precedent to locate and recognize the upcoming 3, 4, and 5-star prospects set to take college football by storm and grace our TVs every Saturday and potentially Sunday. Next up in our state-by-state series is the Great State of Indiana, where 2027s are having HUGE impacts on gridirons all over the state, and after identifying and evaluating big shots such as Anthony Layman Anthony Layman 6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH Hanover Central | 2027 State IN (Hanover Central), Izayveon Moore Izayveon Moore 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Lawrence North | 2027 State IN (Lawrence North), and Brayson Hurley Brayson Hurley 6'2" | 210 lbs | ATH Saint Joseph’s | 2027 State IN (Saint Joseph) before anyone else, we’re back with 15 more 2027s making noise this fall, plus 24 more names to keep an eye going forward on an initial watchlist. No one gives as early or comprehensive of a look at big-time recruits as PrepRedzone. Let’s get to it!
For those of you who didn’t check out yesterday’s introductory feature of our new PrepRedzone Midwest series highlighting freshmen standouts in American’s Heartland, make sure you take a look at the up and coming 2027s in the Great State of Wisconsin, check it out here —> https://prepredzone.com/2023/10/freshmen-week-11-2027s-from-wisconsin-making-noise-this-fall/
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An absolute must-know name in the budding 2027 class of Hoosier State prospects, Greencastle High School’s 6’2, 165 lb. QB Cole Stephens Cole Stephens 6’2″ | 165 lbs | QB Greencastle | 2027 State IN had one of the most eye-popping personal performances I’ve seen in the entire Midwest this fall. Three weeks ago, Stephens exploded for a 572 passing yard and 10 passing TD performance against Brown County High School that came on 23 completions on 26 attempts, which set two Indiana single-game passing records and also got his team the win. What a stat line, especially from a freshman, and Stephens has the skillset, athleticism, and mental fortitude to do it again. Before that passing explosion, Stephens had another impressive performance against Sullivan wherein he went 20-25 for 328 yards and 6 TDs, and he also had a good day against then highly-ranked South Putnam, where he helped get the W 51-49 after passing for 260 yards and 4 TDs. The kid can play, and the adjustment to varsity football seems to be a breeze for the young buck, which is a good sign given how important confidence, mental fortitude, winning, and playing up to your competition is. Also highlighted by PRzIN scout Sam Erman, Stephens possesses a skillset with about as much promise as I’ve seen from a first-year QB. He’s got a big-time arm that’s hard to find in 14-year-olds and can easily stretch the field or generate the velocity needed to fit the ball into tight windows, is accurate to all three levels of the field and when on the move, and displays a quick release and consistently clean mechanics with a smooth throwing motion that is synched well with his footwork. Additionally exciting, Stephens does a good job of getting through his reads and not locking onto and eyeing down one target – something you rarely see from first-time starters, much less freshmen – and he can lead his receivers open and can easily hit them in stride, as well pick apart zone coverage with deadly results. He’s confident yet safe with the football, and it’s hard not to think he’s bound for the highest levels of college football if he continues to build and develop his already incredibly impressive skillset. Can’t wait to keep watching this kid, that’s for sure.
Another freshman on the up-and-up who was identified by PRzIN Lead Scout Sam Erman, Tindley High School’s Jacayre Smith Jacayre Smith 5’9″ | 165 lbs | WR Tindley | 2027 State IN has put the Indianapolis area on notice this fall and is a dynamic 5’9, 165 lber. who has lined up at safety, WR, and RB so far in 2023. As a defensive back, Smith is rangy when patrolling the MOF with the speed to carry WRs deep, the ball skills and vertical ability to pluck the ball out of the air, and the waiting hands of wideouts. Those skills also translate to the WR spot, as he’s fearless when going up for the ball and can win contested catches and 50/50 balls over taller defenders. After the catch and with the ball in hand, Smith displays quickness, vision, contact balance, and overall elusiveness that can turn routine receptions into long and exciting TD runs. He’s obviously athletic, confident, and versatile, which all spell out good things for his future on the gridiron and recruiting trail. The transition to varsity football has been a breeze for the young buck. More TDs, INTs, and big plays are on the way!
Masyn Chalfant Masyn Chalfant 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB Tri | 2027 State IN
Masyn Chalfant Masyn Chalfant 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB Tri | 2027 State IN
Tri High School’s 6′, 170 lb. RB Masyn Chalfant Masyn Chalfant 6’0″ | 170 lbs | RB Tri | 2027 State IN rocketed into the Indiana high school varsity scene with production, finesse, and flashes of dominance, as his first four weeks of the season amounted to 578 yards and 9 TDs on the ground. Welcome to varsity action, Masyn! In Tri High School’s triple-option rushing attack, Chalfant showed off burst, good speed & vision, and effective cuts in addition to eye-catching contact balance and a sudden and shifty running style that keeps defenders guessing and on their heels when it comes to 1-on-1 situations. Chalfant also sports a long, lean frame that is going to blow up after a year or two in his high school’s strength & conditioning program, which spells out trouble for defenders in the eastern suburbs of Indianapolis. A naturally elusive and productive rusher, the future is bright for Chalfant, as well as Tri’s rushing attack.
It’s not often you find a freshman with the size and strength that South Putnam’s LB Keenan Mowery Keenan Mowery 6’3″ | 230 lbs | LB South Putnam | 2027 State IN possesses, which automatically puts him on P5 radars and puts him into that hard-to-find echelon of biggest, fastest, strongest that make up the studs we see on Saturday’s during college football season. Mowery measures in at a eye-catching 6’3, 230 lbs. and already benches 335 pounds, squats 555, hang cleans 335, and power cleans 315, all of which have video evidence and all of which are extremely impressive. You simply can’t keep a player with that size/power off the field if you’re a high school program, and Mowery has been tearing it up as an OLB/OT. After the first five weeks of the season he was sitting at 48 tackles, 15 TFLs, an INT, a FF, multiple PBUs, and 18 pancakes, and his skillset is one of power and dominance that you can’t help but excited about when getting eyes on him. The 230 lber. is instinctive and agile enough to drop into passing lanes and has the speed to take the rock to the house after an interception, can easily work and make plays through contact – including double teams – especially with a full head of steam when shooting gaps or triggering on ball carriers, and displays eye-popping strength that can rip the ball out of a RB or QBs hands like he’s taking candy from a baby. Mowery closes well, keeps his feet active and does a good job of adjusting to ball carriers paths, can pursue out to the sideline and run down RBs and WRs, and is a violent tackler who gets the most out of each and every hit. As an offensive lineman, he’s a destructive finisher, is able to pull and wrap back or around the LOS, shows great leg drive between the whistles, and is comfortable and effective in space. What a skillset and what a start to his high school campaign. You’ll be hearing a lot more about this dude the next 3-4 years & beyond!
Kyron Lamont Hart
Kyron Lamont Hart
Bloodlines always play an important role in recruiting, and Michigan City WR Kyron Lamont Hart is a testament to why it’s important to track who in the recruiting space has younger siblings coming up through the ranks. The younger brother 2024 Michigan City 6′, 210 lb. RB and Syracuse Orange commit Jaden Lamont Hart, Kyron shows the natural athleticism and playmaking ability of his brother and has settled into varsity football action comfortably and obviously as a freshman. With good speed and soft hands, Lamont Hart displayed the ability to win contested catches and 50/50 balls with DBs draped all over him and possesses great ball skills and body control when snagging the rock out of the air. We’re very much looking forward to seeing some more complete film from the young buck and counting the endless TDs he’ll produce the rest of his high school career. College coaches are going to keep coming to Michigan City, that much we know.
Bryce Sebanc
Bryce Sebanc
It’s always important to seek out the upcoming young bucks set to make waves in the high school football recruiting space, but there’s always more significance when trying to find the Next Great Quarterback. 6′, 135 lb. Plainfield High School signal-caller Bryce Sebanc is showing some good stuff in non-varsity action for the Quakers. The lefty gunslinger is accurate, shows smooth mechanics, and sees the field well and is able to get the ball out his hand quickly without forcing throws into tight coverage. I also like how he navigates the pocket well when evading pressure, and Sebanc does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield, as he’s capable of throwing with accuracy as well. Still a lot of work to be done in the weight room, and of course, varsity experience is a must, but in terms of athleticism, poise, and mechanics, the future looks promising for both Sebanc and the Quakers QB room.
Jeremiah Alford
Jeremiah Alford
Bishop Noll’s 5’10, 150 lber. Jeremiah Alford got his first taste of varsity reps in mid-August when the Warriors matched up with Clay High School. Alford posted 3 tackles, 3 PBUs, and allowed 0 catches on him that night and hasn’t looked back since. As a DB, he possesses the speed to carry WRs deep, is comfortable when the ball is in the air, and shows off solid ball skills as both a cornerback and wide receiver. He’s athletic enough to contribute as a punt and kick returner, where he displays some speed and elusiveness, and displays some thump as a tackler to boot. Needs to clean up some technical stuff as a corner, but Alford is noticeably athletic and has adjusted well to varsity competition. The experience he’s gathering as a first-year is going to pay off big-time the next few seasons, especially if he puts in work in the weight room.
A 6′, 235 lb. varsity starter along the East Central High School’s OL as a left guard, Noah Brown Noah Brown 6’0″ | 240 lbs | OL East Central | 2027 State IN has played a big part in the Trojans 8-0 start to the 2023 season and is a big-time road grader for their rushing attack that is averaging an impressive 289 YPG. He plays well above what his age and size would suggest and owns a strong initial punch, a consistent and strong base and pad level, balance, and active hands that do a good job of battling and working to get inside hand position. Brown is a strong kid who can stonewall and move larger and more experienced DL far out of the gap and play and is effective, efficient, and impressive in space, as he’s laterally agile, coordinated, and controlled as a puller out in space or when working to the second level and stays aggressive and works to finish in all kinds of blocks and situations. He’s equally effective against first, second, and third-level defenders and is comfortable in a zone blocking scheme. If nature can help him out and add a couple of extra inches, Brown has the chance to be a highly-touted iOL prospect going forward. The strength, versatility, reps of dominance, mobility, and control are definitely eye-catching for a freshman playing in the trenches against varsity competition.
Highlights
The town of Merrillville and its high schools have been talent-rich and ridden the past few recruiting cycles, and Andrean High School has another big-time, up-and-coming prospect in its 2027 class in 6’1, 215 lb. DE Landen Murray Landen Murray 6’1″ | 220 lbs | DL Andrean | 2027 State IN . The PrepRedzoneNEXT alum is a strong kid who posted a 240 lb. bench press going into the summer before his freshman season and used that power and size to start for the Fighting 59ers (great mascot btw) as a first-year high schooler. Against some high-quality Hoosier State competition, Murray has demonstrated a good get-off and nonstop motor as a traditional 5T that can slide inside when asked to. He does a good job of staying patient and allowing the play to develop around him while maintaining assignment integrity and not over-pursuing, disengages from blockers well when he extends and locks out his arms, is a solid tackler who is strong at the contact point when he can square up on ball carriers and shows a little bit of bend as well. Murray is still raw but has a good blend of athleticism, size, and strength, and with the coaching and development that the staff at Andrean produces, you can they’ll get the most out of the young buck. The Fighting 59ers are once against a must-stop on the recruiting trail!
Highlights
Monroe product and Adams Central High School freshman Jamison Roach Jamison Roach 5’10” | 165 lbs | QB Adams Central | 2027 State IN is off to a good start in 2023 and has been contributing to both JV and varsity as a DB and QB for the Flying Jets, whose varsity team sits at 8-0 in this budding 2023 season. A standout athlete, particularly compared to his fellow freshmen, Roach has some game as a QB and looks mobile and accurate on the move and outside the pocket, possesses a strong arm that can stretch the field and put zip on the rock when needed, and is a true dual-threat from the backfield and is elusive and fast when he tucks and runs and is capable doing a lot of damage to opposing defenses with his legs. As a DB, where he’s earned varsity reps, Roach gets out of his breaks well, attacks blocking attempts on the perimeter and does a good job of consistently shutting down screen attempts to his side of the field, and shows no problems contributing in run support and has recorded a significant amount of TFLs from his CB spot in 2023. He’s a three-phase threat with a solid foundation to build on the next three seasons. Don’t be surprised if the 5’10, 160 lber. is contributing to varsity heavily next fall as a sophomore.
Highlights
Noah Long
Noah Long
Another QB/DB hybrid, Yorktown’s 5’11, 155 lber. Noah Long held a solid stat line through the first seven weeks of the 2023 season and posted 42 tackles, 3 PBUs, 2 TFLs, and 93 kick return yards against varsity competition as a CB, which has helped him earn gameday invites to the likes of Indiana, Ball State, and Purdue in what has been a busy start to his freshman campaign. You can see why he’s on the instate programs’ radars as a young buck, as Long is eye-catchingly fluid in coverage. He’s sticky in off-man and also operates well in zone, fires out of his breaks impressively, is patient in his read steps and has the speed to carry WRs vertically, and is a solid tackler who will come up to stick ball carriers at the LOS and comfortable enough to shut down loose RBs and WRs in space. Long is also instinctive, such as when he returned a blocked FG to the house, and he’s got some nice reps of covering punts as well. The athleticism and fluidity are impressive, to say the least. Must-know name in the Indiana 2027 DB class.
East Noble’s 5’11, 170 lber. Alex Phillips Alex Phillips 5’11” | 170 lbs | QB East Noble | 2027 IN has been tearing it up in the JV ranks in 2023 and earning varsity reps for his efforts, which has to do both with his football acumen as well as athletic profile. Possessing solid speed on the track (11.4 100M and 52.79 400M going into high school), Phillips has manned the QB, RB, safety, and returner roles in 2023 and has been dynamic and productive wherever he’s lined up. Good burst and vision as a ball carrier, where he’s played at when bumped up to varsity, also possesses touch and a decent arm when slotting in as a QB. The speed shows up when he takes the corner on an opposing defense, and he’s fun to watch and has a knack for finding the endzone or creating a splash play no matter what position he’s at. I’d expect him to be a full-time varsity contributor next fall as a sophomore and I can’t wait to see the track times he posts this spring.
Talent-rich Zionsville High School has a big-time QB waiting in its wings with 6’3, 200 lber. Keegan Bouwkamp Keegan Bouwkamp 6’3″ | 195 lbs | QB Zionsville | 2027 IN , who brings great size to the table as a freshman and has the skillset to match. A lefty with a big arm that can stretch the field and put a noticeable amount of velocity and zip on the rock, Bouwkamp has the mental expertise to match the physical ability, as he shows he can get through his reads and sees the field well, especially for a freshman, and displays the always-important internal clock that makes sure he doesn’t hold onto the ball too long. He’ll take off and run when he sees tight coverage, or scramble outside the pocket, where he’s accurate on the run and has put the ball into some tight windows both inside and outside the pocket. Bouwkamp is great at improvising and creating plus-gains when things break down or when seeing tight coverage, but he’s equally productive inside the pocket, where he leads wideouts open, can put touch on the rock downfield, and shows accuracy to all three levels of the field. Coached up by the excellent Anthony Morelli at X-Factor QB Academy, it’s hard not to think his future is bright and he’s going to take his varsity opportunity and run when that time comes.
I’m one of the Brownsburg High School Bulldogs biggest fans, and year after year I make sure to closely follow their season, recruits, and overall success, and year after year I’m far from disappointed. BHS has a promising QB in their freshman class in 6’1, 155 lber. Oscar Frye Oscar Frye 6’1″ | 165 lbs | QB Brownsburg | 2027 State IN , who transitioned from a successful youth football career into an impressive freshman campaign in both the non-varsity and varsity ranks. Through 6 games of non-varsity action, he’s gone 72-99 (72%) for 1,201 yards and 19 TDs to only one INT and has shown off a big arm, mobility, and scrambling ability, toughness in the pocket that will finish through oncoming contact, and accuracy on throws to multiple levels of the field. Lots to like in Brownsburg’s 2027 class, most notably their signal-caller and gunslinger Mr. Frye.
Highlights
The state of Indiana’s freshman sack leader (6), Covenant Christian’s 5’11, 170 lb. SS/OLB Bryce Eagen Bryce Eagen 5’10” | 175 lbs | LB Covenant Christian | 2027 State IN is having a fun & productive freshman season and is a tough prospect who does great work around the box. A menace off the edge possessing closing speed, bend, and the strength to beat and work off blocking attempts with either speed or strength, Eagen does a good job of reading and reacting to offensive plays as they develop, adjusts and plays with pursuit leverage when running down QBs and RBs out in space, and has some boom at the contact point as a tackler. Eagen also shows ability in man coverage on the perimeter and gets out of his breaks well to force PBUs, and is overall a dynamic and fearless defender who plays well above what his size and age would suggest. I’m interested to see how he continues to progress and develop and what that means for his projection to the college level, but there’s no denying he’s tough, productive, and physical and will be a massive asset for CCHS these next few years.
More Freshmen to Know:
Charlie Gauger (Avon) DB. 5’8. @CharlieGauger11
Evan Johnson (Cathedral) WR. 6’1, 145 lbs. @Evan_Johnson13
Jackson Sorgi Jackson Sorgi 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Tri-West | 2027 State IN (Tri-West Hendricks) QB. 6’2, 175 lbs. @SorgiJackson
Drake McClurg (Center Grove) ATH. Indiana baseball commit. @drake_mcclurg
Leon McQuillan (Brownsburg) LB/HB. @Leonidas_8_
Jamon Cole (Brownsburg) OL/DL. 6’2, 220 lbs. @jamoncole52
Brady Lewis (Brownsburg) RB/LB. 5’7, 155 lbs. @BradyLewisRB
Branden Sharpe (Brownsburg) WR, 5’9, 130 lbs. @BrandenSharpe23
Josh Volk (Brownsburg) WR. 5’10, 155 lbs. @jvolk626
Eli Foxworthy (Fountain Central) QB. 6′, 150 lbs. – Has posted 78 completions on 144 attempts (54%) for 1,446 yards and 19 TDs to 5 INTs.
Hunter Broshears (Evansville Central) QB.
Carter Ward (Danville) QB/DB. 5’11, 155 lbs.
Logan Dent Logan Dent 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Salem | 2027 State IN (Salem) RB. – Is sitting at 121 rushes for 648 yards and 5 TDs
Cooper Craig (Bluffton) RB. -Has tallied 96 rushes for 577 yards and 12 TDs
Jack Miller (Lapel) RB. – Recorded 113 rushes for 498 yards and 3 TDs in 2023
Bransyn Ensor Hanley Bransyn Ensor Hanley 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR South Putnam | 2027 State IN (South Putnam) WR. 5’7, 150 lbs. – 20 receptions for 542 yards and 7 TDs
Armani Jackson (Northwestern) WR. – 29 receptions for 409 yards and 6 TDs
Maalik Moore Maalik Moore 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Fort Wayne Northside | 2027 State IN (Fort Wayne North Side) WR. @MaalikMoore2027 – 12 catches for 393 yards and a TD
Keaton Miller (Twin Lakes) WR. – 29 catches for 338 yards and 2 TDs
Lucas Farmer Lucas Farmer 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Cascade | 2027 State IN (Cascade) OLB. – 66 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks
Parker Welker Parker Welker 6'1" | 215 lbs | ATH Greencastle | 2027 State IN (Greencastle) LB. – 55 tackles 5 TFLs, 2 sacks
Abram “Abe” Edwards (Eastern) LB. – 4 INTs, 86 tackles, 2.5 sacks!
Ashton Roland (Fishers) DB. – 3 INTs
Dakota Glasson (North Montgomery) DB. 3 INTs