5 Small-School 2027's With P4 Tools

In the coming weeks, college coaches will start fully constructing their 2027 boards as they send coaches out on the road. Here are 5 small-school players who sound P4 alarms.    [player_tooltip player_id='1158124' first='Jonathan' last='Norman'] is a lanky playmaker who can project to several different skill spots at the next level. He is listed around 6'0 160, sporting a featherweight frame with plenty of bulking capacity. Athletic context is present due to verified T/F numbers, running 10.93 in the 100M and long jumping nearly 43 feet, showcasing indications of speed and explosiveness. Norman has the breakaway speed to stay away from defenders, but he is a smooth mover who can change directions with ease. He is fluid enough to weave in and out of running lanes and is sudden enough to shake defenders in an alley. Patience at this stage is a plus as he doesn't look to run past blockers and pinpoints cutback lanes well. Norman is an elite playmaker with the ball in his hands, has verified elite T/F metrics, and has plenty of physical upside — all the makings of an eventual P4 prospect. Norman could fill out and play RB long-term, but I wouldn't rule out buzz as a WR/DB.     [player_tooltip player_id='1635666' first='AB' last='Hilton'] is a raw RB prospect with some intriguing developmental traits. He is listed around 5'11 185 and carries his weight very well with plenty of room to grow. He PR'd at 10.97 in the 100M this spring and flashed breakaway speed on tape when he broke into the open field. His speed is deceptive. He might not be the most explosive or twitchy, but he creates plenty of separation laterally and glides across the grass with his long strides. He will out-angle defenders to the sidelines if given space to operate. He finds creative ways to stay on his feet through contact and violently finished some runs this fall. P4 coaches should keep an eye on Hilton and watch as he develops.     [player_tooltip player_id='1567281' first='Bryian' last='Duncan'] plays both ways and on special teams for Cairo, but projects long-term at RB. Packs a punch at 5'9 160, but still has a lot of room to add weight. Super impressive T/F background, running 10.94 in the 100M and long jumping 21-3. On tape, he hits holes hard, firing out of a cannon and quickly getting up on and past defenders. He maintains his top speed through the tape of the endzone, avoiding and constantly building from defenders. He throws subtle head nods and hesitation moves at would-be tacklers in the running lane, creating enough hesitation to take advantage laterally. He maximizes all of his traits by playing very hard, lowering his shoulder to finish runs, and flying to the football on defense and special teams. Duncan can add a lot more weight, which will only elevate his floor.     Jalen Welch is still a puppy and doesn't have a whole lot of tape out right now, but he has the measurables and athletic indicators to develop into a touted DB prospect. He is still filling out his long and lanky frame and has room to easily hold 200+ pounds at his peak. Ran 15.40 in the 110H this offseason and high jumped 6-4. With the tape that is out, Welch is explosive and patrols the field well from his safety spot. He has the temperament and tackling ability to come down and play in the box when needed, an area of his game that'll continue to shine as he gets bigger and bigger. Due to his large tackling radius, he should be a prolific tackler and absorb ball carriers well. Welch has T/F evidence when it comes to football-specific traits. His junior year is a big one for him and I am willing to bet he is already on the radar for P4 programs.     [player_tooltip player_id='1586595' first='Brody' last='Archie'] is a breakout WR prospect this fall, emerging as a reliable playmaker on the outside. He is listed at 6'2 175, possessing the frame required to stick on the outside, especially as he fills out. Archie tracks the ball well down the field and through chaos. He has a large catch radius due to his size, and he flashes solid hands, plucking the ball away from his chest. He plays with solid footwork at the line and at the top of his route, getting DBs off-platform and allowing him to create subtle separation. Archie doesn't have verified speed numbers, but he is a verified basketball athlete with natural athleticism. He has played both ways for NCC, but has really emerged as a receiver in 2024. I will bank on the upside and call for P4 programs to show some interest in Archie headed into his junior season.

In the coming weeks, college coaches will start fully constructing their 2027 boards as they send coaches out on the road. Here are 5 small-school players who sound P4 alarms.