NY 2027 Rankings: Athletes

All these guys are listed as athletes because they either play multiple positions or project as multiple positions at the next level. This is especially true for the overall group in this class as they are young so still developing in the weight room and their overall size and strength is far from what it will be as the head into college. All these guy have played multiple positions on varsity and have tape on both sides of the ball. There still is lots of time to narrow down what positions are best for them at the next level but they all show the athleticism required to be considered on either side of the ball.   Check out the 2027 Rankings <a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/">HER</a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/rankings/2027-rankings/">E</a>    Buttles, who played Safety for Aquinas as an 8th grader and then took over QB duties as well as a Freshman, is a guy who does show some good stuff at Quarterback but has the athleticism to play multiple positions on either side of the ball.   Buttles has a strong arm, it will be developing his efficiency and mechanics that will make him a stronger QB prospect. He moves well outside the pocket and can make plays with the ball and throw off-platform.   Buttles played just QB last season but in his 8th grade year put up some really solid safety tape where he showed solid ball skills and the ability to close and tackle in space.     Cook Jr. flashed a ton in his limited varsity opportunities at RB and SAF for St. Joe's, and those opportunities were few and far between. He wouldn't have been ranked without a live evaluation or seeing the way he moves and his body type.   The film is solid. You see his quickness when he moves and his smoothness when making quick cuts with the ball in his hands. He has fluid hips and can turn and break on the ball defensively. Overall, there are not enough reps to get a feel for his long speed and just based on his freshman stuff I think Safety is his best position. When he does play RB he runs hard and shows good vision to find holes and open space. Positionally, time will tell but it is clear he is one of the best young prospects in this class.     Levans III a CB/WR prospect out of Aquinas, the 2nd AQ ATH on this list and 3rd AQ player in our top 20 and he brings quick twitch athleticism to both sides of the ball. For a smaller prospect he shows the ability to make tough catches and attack the ball in the air. He is a hands catcher and does a good job of consistently catching away from his body.   Levans III is a good athlete, there are no verified track times but he flashes some good speed on tape and looks to be an even bigger part of the Aquinas offense this season.     The only "Big" athlete here is Cocozzo. He played offensive line and linebacker for Stillwater, and at 255 pounds, he is probably the biggest linebacker in New York. Cocozzo moves so well in space that you would think he is 220lbs max, and when he blocks, he is consistently violent. He is a player whose best position is probably TBD until he is an upperclassman and you see how he continues to grow. If he can get big enough, there is no doubt he is one of the most effective IOL prospects in New York, but there is potentially a future at defensive end or he could even stick at LB. There are some unknowns about positioning from a recruiting standpoint, but one of the most intriguing overall players in New York.     Mangone, a QB/CB prospect just like Buttles, needs to get bigger and stronger for both sides of the ball. He was one of a few freshman contributors on a Rush-Henrietta team filled with Youth and had a solid season, garnering some post-season honors. Mangon is fast and also a solid baseball player - 3.87 30-yard dash was the top time at Prep Baseball's Scout Day in New York. Mangone was a quarterback who could do a lot with his feet, which is why he was successful on both sides of the ball. His athleticism stands out on tape, and there is potential here that he could end up at QB, RB, WR, SAF, or CB, depending on the development of his measurables.

All these guys are listed as athletes because they either play multiple positions or project as multiple positions at the next level. This is especially true for the overall group in this class as they are young so still developing in the weight room and their overall size and strength is far from what it will be as the head into college. All these guy have played multiple positions on varsity and have tape on both sides of the ball. There still is lots of time to narrow down what positions are best for them at the next level but they all show the athleticism required to be considered on either side of the ball.