Wichita & Western KS 2027's Ready to Shine This Fall

The 2027 class is gearing up for the critical sophomore year in their high school careers. For some, the introduction to high school football came early and they were able to get playing time as a freshman. A few here and there were mature beyond their years and immediately carved out a place on the starting roster and are off and running building their brand.   Still others are waiting for their opportunity to get on the field under those Friday Night Lights and show the world what they have to offer.   In this report we will look into a few players who made their presence known as freshman and a few others who have been working hard in the off-season to make their debuts this fall.   Listed below are five players who caught my eye in the most recent film study who appear primed and positioned to make this fall the springboard season for taking their game to the next level.   Below are the Mid-Week Five you need on your trusty 2027 Watchlist:   [player_tooltip player_id='944910' first='Tanner' last='Geist'], 6'2, 255, NG/DT, Hays, is ranked #31. He is coming off a standout season a year ago when he established himself immediately as a freshman who doesn't play like a freshman and finished with 57 tackles and six tackles for loss. He also recently bench pressed just under 400 pounds...as a freshman. He is a pounder of a down lineman who lines up as a defensive tackle or nose guard that gets off the ball with good pad level. He is other-worldly strong as mentioned above, with a powerful base, heavy hands and routinely handles the offensive lineman with one arm while he wraps up the ball carrier with the other. He is an aggressive battering ram of a tackler who moves well laterally and through traffic. Rushing the quarterback, he overwhelms blockers or shoots the gap to disrupt plays before they even get started. This kid is a stud, get out and see him while you can.   [player_tooltip player_id='944913' first='Trevon' last='Briley'], 6'3 230, DL, Junction City, is ranked #32. He is coming off a solid start a year ago making a name for himself early as a Junction City baller. He has been hitting it hard in the off-season putting on weight and working on skill sets. He recently received an invite to the NBC Sports National Combine in January. He can play a power game overwhelming would-be blockers in the trenches, or he can use his speed off the ball shooting gaps into the backfield. He has a powerful base and fast hands that he uses to fight off blockers trying to get into his pads. Where he shines is in his ability to use his football instincts and read and react skills to move laterally to the ball. He has a good initial positioning step and quick feet which he utilizes working through traffic. He arrives quickly with good closing speed and delivers a blow on contact. He is gonna shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1293154' first='Ean' last='Winsor'], 6'3, 280, OL/DL, Holton, is ranked #43. He is coming off a good start to his high school career last fall and has been hitting the camp-combine circuit in the off-season working on his game. A two-way player who lines up as brawling nose guard on defense who establishes himself immediately as the anchor in the middle. On offense he lines up at right tackle, but can play any of the interior line positions. He has good size for his age with a strong base and good reach. On defense he helps shut down the running game between the tackles and is difficult to uproot once he establishes his territory. On offense he is a mauler of a blocker who gets good leverage and drives the defender from snap to whistle. This kid is going to continue to ramp up his game this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1248293' first='Dahzael' last='Castillo'], 5'9, 215, G/DE, Oxford, is ranked #45. He is coming off a solid start to his high school football career and is bound and determined to make a name for himself in the coming seasons. He has been busy with combines and clinics in the off-season working on his game. A two-way player, he can play defensive end or anywhere along the defensive line as needed. Where he really shines, however, is as an interior lineman on offense. With his powerful base and strong hands he has a good first step gaining leverage and drives opponents from snap to whistle. In Oxford's heavy run scheme he is a mashing blocker who helps open gaps whether it is in the trenches or pulling and blocking on the perimeter. This kid may be flying under the radar now but keep him on your watchlist in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='1310337' first='Christian' last='Henderson'], 6'3, 215, DE/WR, Newton, is ranked #124. He is coming off a solid start to high school football last fall when he gained experience along the defensive line and special teams as needed. He is a long, rangy defensive lineman who can drop down and play tackle or move out wider to shut down the perimeter as an active defensive end. He has good size, with a powerful base and quick hands that he uses effectively to neutralize blockers. He comes off the ball hard and fast, showing his quick feet and works through blockers and traffic to get to the ball. He has good speed and lateral movement in the trenches and tracks down ball carriers in the backfield before the play gets started. He is also a receiver on offense who has the size and catch radius to dominate. Get out and see a kid on the rise this fall.   In conclusion, get out and watch these guys or put them on your watchlist to follow through the remainder of their high school football careers. And, as usual, feel free to reach out to me with any comments, questions, or if you have any names of players “flying under the radar”, contact CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

The 2027 class is gearing up for the critical sophomore year in their high school careers. For some, the introduction to high school football came early and they were able to get playing time as a freshman. A few here and there were mature beyond their years and immediately carved out a place on the starting roster and are off and running building their brand.