2027 Ballers Ready For Breakout Seasons This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time is incrementally slipping away for high school players. And, although periodically obvious, it is usually more subtle and insidious in it's assault. That is until you start realizing the end is near.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then it has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fortunately, for the ballers from the class of 2027, they are right at the midway point in their high school careers, so they still have some sand left in the proverbial hourglass. With time on their side for now, once the growth and experience accumulated during their freshmen and sophomore seasons is factored in and it is the perfect time to step up and indelibly etch their names in school history with a couple more seasons of amplified play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, whether it is fortune, luck or timing, baller play is the result when prep meets opportunity...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we will take a look at five guys approaching the all-important junior season. Three of the ballers below are running back/athletes while a couple others are multi-positional studs who are ready to do whatever is needed to take that next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's check out these players on the brink of breakout seasons this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1250567"],"_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-67e3cc072ca86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1250567' first='Brody' last='Sedlacek']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brody-sedlacek/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'11, 180, LB/RB,&nbsp;<em>Hanover</em>, '27, Last fall he didn't waste any time establishing himself as a rising-star two-way player. On defense he already has a mature game, lining up a year ago as an outside linebacker or destroying plays in the backfield off the edge. He is a high-IQ defender with great read-and-react skills and instincts who blows through gaps to deny the running game or slides outside to hammer the play off tackle or on the perimeter. He has outstanding closing speed once he targets the ball carrier and plays lights out from sideline to sideline. On offense he is a versatile running back with good quickness who can pick up the extra yards and will be looking for more opportunities at that position this fall. This guy is an old-school baller who is getting ready for some serious attention in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1362958"],"_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-67e3cc072caea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1362958' first='Levi' last='McLaughlin']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/levi-mclaughlin/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/levi-mclaughlin/"></a>&nbsp;</em></strong>, 6'3, 185, DB/WR,&nbsp;<em>Derby</em>, '27, he is getting ready to play for a different team this fall as he takes his considerable talents from Rose Hill to Derby and it should be the springboard he needs to really take off. I have been following him closely for the last couple of years as it was obvious early on that he had prototype size and athleticism for a D1 defensive back. He can play anywhere in the secondary, as a lock-down corner or either of the safety positions. He is particularly effective playing over the top where he can use his nose for the ball, length and excellent closing speed to disrupt the opposition's pass game. This past fall he piled up 50+ tackles and had 10+ pass break ups whenever teams tried to throw his way. This guy is going to be nothing short of <em>en fuego</em> this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1083296"],"_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-67e3cc072cb34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1083296' first='Ryan' last='Slaughter']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ryan-slaughter/"></a> </strong>, 6'3, 275, OL, <em>Wichita East</em>, '27, he is coming off a solid season as a mauling, brawling offensive tackle in the Blue Ace's high-powered offense. He is versatile along the line of scrimmage but has demonstrated the skills required to be a top-notch bookend blocker at either tackle. In the trenches he is a headhunter of a blocker who has the size, reach and athleticism to hammer defenders on the edge or in pass pro and use his quick feet, good pad level and active hands to decimate anyone in his path blocking down. He plays an aggressive but smart game, doing his homework to pick up on pattern tendancies and looking for leverage points reviewing film. He is just getting warmed up and will be poised and ready to deliver the pancakes in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1530398"],"_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-67e3cc072cb79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530398' first='Reece' last='Carmichael']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/reece-carmichael/"></a>&nbsp;, 5'10, 195, LB/RB,&nbsp;<em>Halstead</em>, '27, he is another Dragon standout coming up on the halfway point as rising-star coach Derek Racette keeps churning them out. An athletic playmaker who delivers on both sides of the ball, he is one of those guys who rarely leaves the field once he gets going. On offense last fall he was a dynamic all-purpose back who carried the ball 95 times for 520 yards for a 5.5-yard average and five total touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for another 100+ yards out of the backfield. On defense he was even better as a ball-buster of a linebacker who piled up 100+ tackles and had four tackles for loss this past fall. This guy is just getting started and with the work he is putting together in the off-season he is going to go scorched earth on the competition in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1530365"],"_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-67e3cc072cbbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530365' first='Erik' last='Olivas']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/erik-olivas/"></a>&nbsp;, 5'8, 170, RB/DB,&nbsp;<em>Goddard</em>, '27, he stepped up big last fall as a breakaway threat in the high-octane Lion running game and doesn't give any indication of slowing down. On the season he was a handful anytime he touched the ball, picking up 600+ yards rushing on only 80 carries for a 7.6-yard average and five total scores. He also caught a 32-yard touchdown pass and had 200+ yards on returns to give him close to a thousand yards of total offense. As a versatile back, he is a strong runner with a low-center of gravity who picks up big yardage after the first hit. He is also a burner on the perimeter, whether it is taking the ball on the jet sweep or on the toss on sweeps and reverses. With a year of experience under his belt, this guy is getting ready to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, keep these guys on your watchlist and follow their progress in the off-season as they prep for this fall. You will not be disappointed. And, as always, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar or not getting any attention please give me a shout via DM on X.&nbsp;<em>Keep grindin'…</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->