2027 Rankings – Highest Ranked Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest ranking update for the&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2027-rankings/">state's 2027 class came out on Tuesday</a></strong>. The latest ranking update now features the top 100 players in the state's 2027 class. Every time we do a ranking update, we dive into prospect breakdowns following each release. In this breakdown, we're putting the spotlight on five prospects who are newcomers to the state's 2027 rankings. And all five are not only newcomers but they are debuting in relatively high spots.&nbsp;Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 2027 breakdowns and our final ranking update, featuring the state's 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637567"],"_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-67d458c59f010"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Edmond Memorial wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1637567' first='Isaac' last='Woodard'] was the highest ranked newcomer in this latest ranking update. He debuts at #34 overall and is continuing to climb the charts at the wide receiver position. Woodard was a player that we watched in person during the regular season last year and he really impressed us with his ability to make tough catches, finish through contact and even pick up some extra yards. Now, granted, Woodard definitely benefitted from having one of the state's best quarterbacks throwing him the ball. But when we looked at the whole body of work, Woodard was a player that we ended up being very intrigued with moving forward. He had a solid sophomore season and he has a very good chance of being the top target in the Edmond Memorial passing game this fall. Woodard is a player to definitely know about moving forward in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1324250"],"_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-67d458c59f097"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Right after our last 2027 ranking came out in October, we saw Davis quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1324250' first='Dax' last='Owens'] and knew immediately that he belonged, and would debut in a relatively high spot. Owens debuts at #41 overall and it's going to be very interesting to see how his recruitment will develop. Owens runs the Davis option attack with an explosive but efficient ability but there aren't many offenses at the next level that will be looking for an option QB. But here's the thing with Owens, we got a chance to watch him in person three times in 2024 and then again at our January camp, he's a terrific athlete and can help a team in a variety of spots. The athleticism is there and the on-field IQ is definitely there. He can become an extension of the coaching staff on the field and he was doing that as a sophomore. Not to mention he helped lead his team to a state title. Owens will only help a team get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["649775"],"_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-67d458c59f0e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McAlester has a few rangy prospects with high upsides that are coming off breakout 2024 seasons. One of those players is 2027 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='649775' first='DeVeion' last='Bickham'] and his upside feels like it's getting higher and higher. During the 2024 season, Bickham emerged as one of the top targets in the McAlester passing game. He ended up being second on the team in receiving. When you combine that kind of breakout production with his measurables, you immediately get a prospect that is going to have the attention of college coaches when spring ball rolls around in a few months. Bickham certainly checks a lot of boxes at 6'4 and like we said before, his ceiling moving forward appears to be getting higher and higher. Now, he'll need to continue to develop but he has our interest already and it wouldn't be surprising if he soars up the ranks again after the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1307135"],"_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-67d458c59f131"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blanchard quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1307135' first='Noah' last='Smith'] feels like a name that is on the verge of breaking out in a big way. Smith got very valuable playing time during his sophomore season when the Lions were missing their eventual QB1. So Smith will go into the 2025 season with some experience and he won't be as raw as a new starter. Smith kept Blanchard's offense rolling in 2024 and then he came to our camp in January and was a standout at the quarterback position. But he's one of the quarterbacks in this class that we have circled when it comes to the 2025 season. Blanchard loses a lot of talent in the skill department so Smith is going to have to find new connections with wide receivers. But he definitely passes the eye test from a physical standpoint and he has showcased some serious arm strength. Watching him go to work this fall will definitely be high on our priority list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637570"],"_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-67d458c59f17a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holland Hall's [player_tooltip player_id='1637570' first='Rhett' last='Gibson'] is our final prospect on this breakdown and he feels like another example of a "swiss army knife" as a prospect. Gibson can play running back, linebacker, defensive back and he can make plays from a few other spots on the football field. Gibson is also a standout on the track so you know that the speed is there. We've seen Gibson in person a few times on the 7v7 circuit but we haven't seen him in person when the pads come on. But based on what we've seen on film, we see a player that simply helps his team have more success. What does he translate to at the next level? That feels like it's still up for debate but we're starting to lean to the defensive side of the ball with his overall size, instincts and legit track time. We're looking forward to seeing what Gibson does the rest of this offseason and into the spring and summer moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->