2027 Watch List: Emerging Offensive Talent to Keep an Eye On!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["858206"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='858206' first='Vernon' last='Slaughter'] is a talented passer out of Hueytown that made some very impressive plays throughout his freshman season  last fall. Slaughter has a very talented arm already- on tape he has several plays where he demonstrates the ability to both air it out deep and zip it into tight windows.  Slaughter throws a really accurate ball, he leads his receivers really well and can make some seriously difficult throws at every level of the field. Slaughter also shows that he has some really promising athleticism as well, he has a strong arm that can really get the ball downfield and also shows some solid mobility when on the run. Keep an eye on Slaughter and this Hueytown offense this upcoming season, I was really impressed by what I saw on tape from Slaughter in just his first season and think that with his talents, he's set up for a lot of success going forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["694376"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='694376' first='Blaise' last='Hayes'] is a really impressive wide receiver out of Briarwood that made a lot of clutch catches for them last season. Hayes is a really shifty receiver- he gains a lot of separation off his routes with how well he is able to cut and break off of defenders and is consistently an open target for his quarterback. Hayes also does really well when the ball is in his hands- he uses the same shiftiness to make defenders miss in open space and fights for every available yard. I also was really impressed by Hayes' set of hands as well, he frequently made a lot of contested catches in coverage and does a really good job hauling in difficult passes. Keep an eye on him going forward, he was a frequent playmaker in Briarwood's passing offense last fall and is set up for a big sophomore season!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["444725"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='444725' first='CJ' last='Cowley'] is a super talented athlete out of Spain Park that made a ton of plays for them last fall for them on the ground, in the air, and on special teams. Cowley is incredibly athletic- at 5'11 180 he plays with a ton of speed, elusiveness, strength and power. When he's carrying the ball Cowley has a great burst out of the backfield, terrific contact balance, and can break off massive runs once he's in the open field. As a pass catcher Cowley has great hands that can make a wide variety of catches and uses his vision really well to gain lots of yards after the catch. On special teams, Cowley was a massive contributor that consistently provided great starting field position and occasionally got into the endzone as well.  Cowley is truly a jack-of-all-trades type of player that makes magic happen every time the ball is in his hands, he's going to be a problem throughout the state for the next few years!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["714832"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='714832' first='Cam' last='McKenzie'] is a really explosive running back out of Thompson that showed a lot of potential out of their backfield last fall. McKenzie has super quick feet and really good speed. With his athleticism he is able to outrun and out maneuver defenses very well. McKenzie also has great vision that allows him to find holes in the defense really well and take advantage of them- within seconds he finds himself gaining breaking through the line of scrimmage to gain lots of yards. In addition to that, McKenzie also isn't afraid of taking hits- he plays with a lot of strength and physicality and makes it tough for defenders to keep up with him. Keep an eye on him going forward, he has a lot of potential as a playmaker in their running game in the future!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6608ecf39b3e1"} /-->