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Top ’27 Southwest Ohio Prospects

Top ’27 Southwest Ohio Prospects
Bryan Ault
Bryan Ault November 15, 2024 @ 06:47 AM
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In this article:

Xavier Ratica
Xavier Ratica 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE | 2027
OH
Jamier Averette Brown
Jamier Averette Brown 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR | 2027
OH
Jaylen Mercer
Jaylen Mercer 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL | 2027
OH
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southwest Ohio is a recruiting hotbed, with countless prospects from the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor signing Division I prospects each year. Here are five underclassmen in the Class of '27 worth a close look from college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ace Alston","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Anderson HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673742f417fd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The four-star sophomore from Anderson is one of the top 50 players in the country. Alston is a very good coverage corner with outstanding ability to break on the ball. He has great closing speed, strong ball skills and extremely good instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1073161"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673742f418034"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-6, 236-pound tight end should be one of the most highly-sought prospects in the state when his junior season approaches. He's a good receiving tight end with soft hands and good adjustment hi/low to the ball. His run blocking skills are exceptional, he flashes a mean streak, and can run his feet on contact to get vertical push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["968851"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673742f418077"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've seen Brown in-person multiple times, and the 6-foot-1 receiver really pops. His 24 offers that he has received are definitely deserved. Brown is a great route runner with strong ball skills. His change-of-direction, vision, and speed after the catch are exceptional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481435"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673742f4180b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mercer is a great EDGE prospect. He can align in a three-point stance as well as stand up within Winton Woods' 3-4 defense. He is quick to shed bocks, flashes explosiveness as a pass rusher, and displays a great motor in chasing down ballcarriers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Patrick O'Brien","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Archbishop Moeller HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673742f418136"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Brien has big size and big potential. At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, he has the frame to hold more weight and through-the-roof athleticism. O'Brien is a great run blocker who can take defenders for a ride. His multi-sport athleticism (basketball) and high academics make him a prospect that college coaches covet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Southwest Ohio is a recruiting hotbed, with countless prospects from the Cincinnati-Dayton corridor signing Division I prospects each year. Here are five underclassmen in the Class of '27 worth a close look from college coaches.

Ace Alston

Ace Alston

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 165
POS DB
CLASS 2027

Ace Alston

School: Anderson HS
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Xavier Ratica

Xavier Ratica

OH
TE
HEIGHT 6'6"
WEIGHT 240
POS TE
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Xavier
Ratica TE
Class
2027
Height
6'6"
Weight
240
HS
Lakota West
|
OH
Top ’27 Southwest Ohio Prospects
The 6-foot-6, 236-pound tight end should be one of the most highly-sought prospects in the state when his...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Xavier Ratica

Instagram Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Lakota West
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Ohio State
Jamier Averette Brown

Jamier Averette Brown

OH
WR
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 170
POS WR
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Jamier
Averette Brown WR
Class
2027
Height
6'1"
Weight
170
HS
Wayne
|
OH
Top ’27 Southwest Ohio Prospects
I’ve seen Brown in-person multiple times, and the 6-foot-1 receiver really pops. His 24 offers that he has...
Written by Bryan Ault
Ohio State
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jamier Averette Brown

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Wayne
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jaylen Mercer

Jaylen Mercer

OH
DL
HEIGHT 6'5"
WEIGHT 235
POS DL
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Jaylen
Mercer DL
Class
2027
Height
6'5"
Weight
235
HS
Winton Woods
|
OH
Top ’27 Southwest Ohio Prospects
Mercer is a great EDGE prospect. He can align in a three-point stance as well as stand up...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jaylen Mercer

Instagram Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Winton Woods
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Patrick O'Brien

Patrick O'Brien

HEIGHT 6'6"
WEIGHT 220
POS OL
CLASS 2027

Patrick O'Brien

School: Archbishop Moeller HS
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
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