2027 Defenders Exploding Onto Recruiting Scene
In this article:
After a 2023 season that saw several freshmen break onto the recruiting scene, the 2027 class is starting to settle in and generate plenty of recruiting buzz. Here are a few athlete defenders that continue to catch my eye. Ethan…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAfter a 2023 season that saw several freshmen break onto the recruiting scene, the 2027 class is starting to settle in and generate plenty of recruiting buzz. Here are a few athlete defenders that continue to catch my eye.
Hauser has been a well recruited youngster dating back to the beginning of his freshman season. With a recent offer from Georgia Tech and more buzz this offseason, he is undergoing yet another recruiting surge. The intrigue around Hauser is obvious. He is an elite traits prospect, coming in at an athletic 6’2 185 with good speed and movement patterns. On offense, he spends most of his time on the outside at WR, where he is a mismatch threat. He can quickly get up on DBs and possesses the leaping and ball skills to highpoint the ball. However, defense might be his future home, as he seems to play with more of an edge at that spot. He aggressively clicks downhill and sizes up ball carriers before he tackles. When going up with receivers, he aggressively attacks the catch point and is difficult to drop the ball over for QBs. As he refines around the edges as an athlete and develops the footwork needed to react with WRs at the top of their routes, he should become a difference maker on varsity.
Highlights
Aaden Peterson
Aaden Peterson
Aaden Peterson just picked up his first FBS offer from Georgia Southern, and he will add several more throughout the rest of his career. There isn’t a whole lot of film, but from what I can see, he looks to be a future CB projection thanks to his length and speed. In off-man coverage, Peterson does a good job of staying light on his feet and shuffling low to the ground, allowing him to quickly change direction and click downhill to play underneath routes. Peterson is a four sport athlete and was able to dunk on varsity basketball as a freshman. His upside is through the roof and he is just getting started.
Echols is yet another freak Buford athlete that has picked up major P4 offers before becoming a contributor on varsity. Listed as a LB, Echols is an elite athlete roaming the second level of the defense, providing his team with run and chase ability as well as plenty of range in coverage. He plays with his motor running hot, quickly switching assignments in coverage and violently closing to the football. He is already getting plenty of buzz as an athlete, and will become a sharper football player with more experience. Ole Miss offered this offseason, which kicked off what should be a busy recruitment process.
Highlights
Hadley is a clear future 4/5 star DB prospect and has picked up offers this month from Auburn and Georgia Tech. He is an elite combination of size, speed, and length at 6’2. He is a violent defender and isn’t afraid to mix it up with receivers throughout the route process. He can also play close to the LOS and engage blockers as he supports the run. Hadley has violent footwork, chopping the ground and reacting at the line and at the top of routes with WRs. He may end up on the outside thanks to his speed and length, but there is certainly a chance he plays as a big nickel/safety. Regardless, he is an elite athlete and plays with an edge that translates.