2027 Offensive Watch List Analysis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Watch List is typically reserved for athletes that I need to see more of before going ahead with a ranking. For most of these athletes, this is exactly the case. I'm still confident in these guys' ability to compete at a high level, I just need to see a little more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are my updated thoughts on five Class of 2027 players currently on the Watch List! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1067027"],"_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-67cb8bb2abdf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max is on the watch list because he doesn't currently have any 2024 tape, but I'm still very excited about his upside. A year ago, Max was coming off a great freshman season with Traverse City West. Since then, he's transferred to Traverse City Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Max's 2023 tape shows above-average speed and agility for a freshman prospect. It was apparent that he was far better than most of the JV competitors he faced. Then, last summer, Max was a consistent performer in Legacy's 7on7 league. I don't have much tape from last summer, but Max had a ton of great moments at linebacker and RB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm looking forward to seeing how Max fares during his Junior season. As long as he's consistently improved over the past year, Max should play a big role in TCC's Varsity team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298608"],"_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-67cb8bb2abe6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gillings has some solid tape, and he honestly did enough last season to deserve a ranking. Though, I just can't put a finger on that tier WR he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The tape is solid. Offensively, he's shown an ability to lay out for balls, overall good body control, and good ball tracking. However, there's a lack of great RAC plays- something I like to see with smaller slot receivers. I think he has it in him, though! Christian has a few standout routes on tape, and having seen him last summer, I know he's a good athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plus, Christian has a few great defensive highlights. Very impressed with his instincts at DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1113056"],"_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-67cb8bb2abeb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samson hasn't released film in over a year, but I am really excited to see an updated highlight tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For one, I'm not sure if he's still at QB or if he's at a different position. His latest tape (from freshman season) mostly showcased Samson's ability to be an open-field playmaker. Yes, he had some good throws, but I was mainly impressed with what he was able to do outside of the pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grow a few inches and become a better passer- Samson could be in line to one day be EK's QB1. However, if Samson is the same height, it's probably best (from a recruiting standpoint) to make a position switch. I could easily see Samson make strides as a DB, WR, or even RB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1233578"],"_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-67cb8bb2abefd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Markel is another player who has not released tape in over a year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2023, Markel had a great freshman season. With a ton of varsity snaps, Markel was an absolute brick wall. I was impressed with his ability to stop some solid power rushers. Though, I did note that Markel was very fundamenetally raw, and pretty one-note. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would love to see Markel back on the football field. His height and size make him a very high-upside prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["742867"],"_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-67cb8bb2abf41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I haven't talked about Beau in quite a while. A year ago, he was someone I was constantly pounding the table for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beau is still someone I am really, really rooting for. I just don't know how he's going to look after recovering from his severe knee injury. So, because of that, he's on the watch list for now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At his best, Beau is an explosive slot receiver with excellent hands. Really good release, great routes, and explosive enough to earn separation against most DBs. Beau is hypothetically still a D2-ceiling guy, but again, I'm waiting to see him back in action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->