5 Impressive 2027 Recruits To Take Note Of Early On
In this article:
We’ve got 5 young recruits we’re looking at today that we think people should begin to take note of. All 5 of these guys are players who could easily take off, so it’s better to be early than late in…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’ve got 5 young recruits we’re looking at today that we think people should begin to take note of. All 5 of these guys are players who could easily take off, so it’s better to be early than late in situations like these!
Ethan Reyna Ethan Reyna 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Andrean | 2027 State IN – Andrean – LB – 6’0″ 210lbs
Quickly being thrust into action and being a difference right away was Reyna. He’s a good-sized LB who has a good head on his shoulders. At least to start his career, he’s more of a downhill LB you want at or around the LOS. Having him play the run and keep contain is where he seems to be best right now, but with plenty of time to develop in coverage, he’s fine where he’s at. While he did start hot, I believe an injury slowed him down, so he only played 5 games. He played the first 4 and then returned for a monster game against LaVille to end the year on a positive note personally. On the season he put up 34 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and showcased that he’s ready to be a stud for years to come. His freshman season had its ups and downs, but if those ups are a sign of things to come, Reyna could be a top prospect in the class for years to come.
Twitter: @EthanReyna44
Logan Dent Logan Dent 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Salem | 2027 State IN – Salem – 5’11” 185lbs
Only 2 players this season came out as a freshman and rushed for over 1000 yards and Dent was one of them. He’s an impressive back with good size, speed, vision, and power for his age. He’s hard to bring down and can then deliver a strong stiff arm of his own. With his frame and how he’s currently built with some of the muscle he’s got, he looks like an older recruit. Physically, he’s impressive for his age and does a lot of small things well on the field. He can pick up the blitz and knows when to become an outlet for his QB. He had a few fumbles this year I’d like to see him clean up, but can’t turn the ball over. Dent does so many things well that you can easily see him adding to these numbers as the years go by. 1003 rushing yards and 7 TDs on 174 carries as a freshman all point positively for Dent. It may not be known as a powerhouse for churning out recruits, but Salem has got a good young one in Dent, and depending on how he develops over the next few seasons, might be a guy who takes off early in recruiting.
Twitter: @1LoganDent1
Kaden Mcneil Kaden Mcneil 5'9" | 190 lbs | ATH Lake Station | 2027 State IN – Lake Station – ATH – 5’9″ 190lbs
Certain players are fun to watch because of the versatility they have and the things they’re asked to do, and Mcneil is quickly becoming one of those players. Offense, defense, special teams, carry the ball, catch it, or go tackle the dude who has it. Mcneil is doing a little bit of each of Lake Station and turning some of those plays into big plays. As a freshman, Mcneil carried the ball 25 times, caught 1 pass, and it went for a TD and then moved around the backend defensively. While as a team they might not have had the year they wanted, having a DB get his feet wet and still put up 36 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 sacks, a broken-up pass, and a recovered fumble are all good signs. Mcneil is speedy and has good range which is what allows him to be around the ball so often defensively. I know small schools get a bad rap, but there are still good players there and Mcneil is no different.
Twitter: @Kaden_Mcneil15
Brody Butler Brody Butler 5'7" | 165 lbs | ATH Knightstown | 2027 State IN – Knightstown – ATH – 5’7″ 165lbs
A valuable 2-way player as a freshman has Butler pinged to do more moving forward. I know the knock against him right now will be his height, but it shouldn’t be. Not only is he young with plenty of time to develop, but it’s what’s forced him to adapt and become the player he is. He’s a compact little tank. He doesn’t look it, but he’s much stronger and tougher than what those numbers may suggest. He’s got a low center of gravity and can get underneath the ball carrier as a defender and upend them every time. With the ball in his hands, he’s able to get lost behind the line and shoot out the backside of a hole the defenders couldn’t see. He then can handle his own in between the tackles. As a freshman, he carried the ball 65 times for 305 yards and 4 TDs. He then had a big year defensively. Good angles, great speed, and the instinct to see things happening all allow him to get downhill and make the play. 63 tackles, 4 TFLs, and a recovered fumble for Butler on the defensive side were fairly impressive. He’s a good player, I like him, and hope he gets the respect he deserves.
Twitter: @BrodyButler33
Orion Brown Orion Brown 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Merrillville | 2027 State IN – Merrillville – ATH – 5’10” 150lbs
There’s a ton of raw ability in Brown and his pure athletic ability should have everyone intrigued which is why if there’s one name that could take off like wildfire anytime soon, it’s Orion Brown Orion Brown 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Merrillville | 2027 State IN ‘s name. He’s just a raw, but freaky athlete who can fly. He’s got a nice frame that you can see he’s still growing into. He’s hitting the weight room and developing there where he needs. He’s put on just over 10lbs since the start of their training camp back in August and yet looks leaner. Although he’s got the elite speed, his coverage is still a work in progress. He’s not bad, but if he can clean up some techniques and become a more sound player, it’ll help him become a more consistent player. I’m not sure how often he gets the chance to have the ball in his hands, but I’m sure it’s the same dynamic athlete who can take the top off of a defense. There’s no doubt he’s a bit raw, but there’s also no doubt that Brown is dripping with potential and athleticism.
Twitter: @Orion_Reuben