Maryland/D.C. 2027 prospects already on the radar - Pt. 1

Maryland continues solidifying its reputation as a breeding ground for elite football talent, with the 2027 recruiting class featuring players like [player_tooltip player_id='734850' first='Myles' last='McAfee'], [player_tooltip player_id='423015' first='Justin' last='Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='423046' first='James' last='Branch'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1128876' first='Jadereon' last='Thompson']. These athletes have already made a great impression on college football coaches. Here are some of my thoughts on these rising prospects in the Class of 2027 recruiting class.   [player_tooltip player_id='734850' first='Myles' last='McAfee'] | WR | 6-1 | 170 | MD | Archbishop Spalding   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/IMG_1823-crop-2561x1682-1735170258.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1588252" /></figure>   McAfee is a highly skilled receiver with a unique blend of speed, agility, and high football IQ. His ability to run diverse and effective routes, make contested catches, and excel against both man and zone coverages make him a dangerous weapon. McAfee consistently catches the ball away from his body, displaying his excellent hand-catching ability.   McAfee's route running is precise. Whether it's a slant, fade, or corner route, he runs it with precision and consistency. On one of his highlights, he runs a fake slant to the corner, which shows his ability to change direction fluidly and keep defenders guessing. McAfee's ability to stop and accelerate quickly is also one of his best traits. Those skills help him separate from defenders. That comes in handy in the red zone, where he scored multiple touchdowns. He's already one of the top receivers in his class on a national level. He is not too worried about his physical development; he has enough time to keep getting stronger and adding muscle mass to his frame.   McAfee's offer list includes Penn State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, and Indiana. He had a highly consistent and impactful season for one of the top teams in the nation. McAfee caught 50 passes for 594 yards and nine touchdowns during his breakout sophomore-year campaign. He led the MIAA in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during the 2024 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='423015' first='Justin' last='Dixon'] | QB | 6-2 | 185 | MD | Concordia Prep   Dixon committed to Syracuse on Nov. 30, early in his recruiting process. He played in six games this past season.   On one of his plays, he finds the inside receiver on a corner route, threading the ball perfectly between a defensive back and safety in tight coverage for a 13-yard gain. Dixon's touch and confidence in fitting throws into small windows were displayed in that play. He also had multiple plays involving fade balls, resulting in catches for significant gains or touchdowns. Dixon trusts his ability and his receivers when it comes to 50/50 balls.   Dixon isn't scared to push the football downfield and shows a strong arm on a few throws with the fade balls. I'd like to see him catch the receivers more in stride, as he did on one play when he threw a skinny post to a receiver who gained over 30 yards on that catch.   With two full seasons ahead, Dixon has the potential to develop into an even more complete quarterback. To demonstrate versatility, I'd like to see him showcase a wider range of passes within the first few plays of his highlights. That being said, Syracuse has already seen enough to accept his early commitment.   [player_tooltip player_id='423046' first='James' last='Branch'] | WR | 6-3 | 195 | MD | St. Frances Academy   Branch's early offer list includes Boston College, Maryland, Miami (FL), Michigan, North Carolina State, Penn State, and Virginia Tech.   Branch's highlights showcase a combination of athleticism, physicality, and technical ability, making him a versatile field weapon.   Branch's ability to high-point the ball and secure contested catches, especially in the red zone, is one of his standout traits. His plays, such as his fade routes for touchdowns against tight coverage, demonstrate his knack for using his height and leaping ability to outmatch defenders. He also excels after the catch, consistently breaking tackles and gaining extra yardage, as seen in his slant route, where he turned a quick release into a 17-yard gain in his hitch route that turned into a 12-yard pickup. His physicality and balance make him a threat to extend plays beyond the initial reception.   In addition to his physical skills, Branch shows precision as a route runner. His disciplined five-yard square-in route, where he maintained sharpness and caught the ball in stride for a touchdown, illustrates his attention to detail and understanding of route concepts. Furthermore, he effectively uses his body to shield defenders, as demonstrated on his contested 34-yard post route, which resulted in a significant gain.   Overall, Branch is a well-rounded receiver, a reliable possession receiver, and a significant red-zone threat. His size, leaping ability, and toughness after the catch make him an asset for St. Francis. I would like how he looks running more types of routes than what's shown on his highlights. He's done enough to get the attention and offers from Power 4 schools.   [player_tooltip player_id='1128876' first='Jadereon' last='Thompson'] | WR | 5-9 | 150 | MD | Queen Annes County   [player_tooltip player_id='1128876' first='Jadereon' last='Thompson'] is an electrifying playmaker with an offer from Campbell University. After reviewing his mid-season highlights from October 13, I see that he has a unique skill set that makes him a versatile weapon on the field. Thompson's quick acceleration off the line of scrimmage allows him to break cushions and create separation early in his routes. His speed translates into big-play potential in multiple phases of the game. He is not just a traditional wide receiver; his versatility is showcased through his ability to catch passes, execute end-arounds, and even throw for touchdowns, making him a dynamic threat in any offensive scheme.   Thompson's ball skills are impressive. Whether it's leaping over defenders or adjusting to underthrown passes, he consistently demonstrates the ability to make difficult catches in contested situations. His hands are reliable, and his ability to track the ball under pressure is noteworthy. In the open field, Thompson's vision and elusiveness allow him to make defenders miss and turn routine plays into significant gains. His ability to weave through traffic and maintain balance highlights his natural playmaking instincts.   The highlights underscore his advanced route-running ability. On one play, he stems a defensive back to sell an inside route before breaking outside on a 9-route, showcasing his football IQ and ability to manipulate coverage. On another, he runs a slant-and-go route, adjusting to an underthrown ball and catching it in stride despite tight coverage. Thompson's explosiveness is further evident when he quickly eats up a safety's cushion on a corner route, creating separation and maintaining momentum through the catch. His time in the Wildcat formation also highlights his ability to make plays in space, where he easily cuts and weaves through defenders.   While Thompson's skill set is impressive, there are areas for growth. At 150 pounds, his frame could benefit from added strength to handle press coverage and improve his blocking ability. I want an updated version of his highlights, including his entire season and showing different routes being run.   Overall, [player_tooltip player_id='1128876' first='Jadereon' last='Thompson'] is a dynamic and versatile playmaker with the tools to attract the interest of college coaches during the offseason.   Other articles to read   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2025-season-souther-maryland-skills-players-to-know-part-1/">Southern Maryland  2025 Season Players to Know - Part 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/meet-some-of-the-iacs-offensive-stars-in-the-2026-class-pt-1/">Meet some of the IAC's offensive stars in the 2026 Class – Pt . 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/maryland-d-c-2027-prospects-already-on-the-radar-pt-1/">Maryland/D.C. 2027 prospects already on the radar – Pt. 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2025-season-western-maryland-skill-players-to-know-part-1/">2025 Season: Western Maryland Skill Players to Know – Part 1</a>

Maryland continues solidifying its reputation as a breeding ground for elite football talent, with the 2027 recruiting class featuring players like Myles McAfee Myles McAfee 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Archbishop Spalding | 2027 State MD , Justin Dixon Justin Dixon 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Concordia Prep | 2027 State MD , James Branch James Branch 6'3" | 195 lbs | ATH St. Frances | 2027 State MD , and Jadereon Thompson Jadereon Thompson 5'9" | 155 lbs | ATH Queen Annes | 2027 State MD . These athletes have already made a great impression on college football coaches. Here are some of my thoughts on these rising prospects in the Class of 2027 recruiting class.