Maryland’s Class of 2027: In-Depth Analysis of #6-10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most recent &amp; updated MD/DC/DE 2027 rankings were just released. A very strong group at the top with some elite talent I've gotten a chance to see over the last season. Below I take an in-depth breakdown &amp; analysis of prospects rated #6-10 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1291840"],"_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-67c1f82c40224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anthony is a player I have seen since his freshman year and he has taken that next step to being a dominate player. He came on strong towards the end of this season and continues to improve his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A prototype edge rusher in todays game it's no wonder he holds double digit Power 4 Offers. He possesses great length with arms to his knees. A frame that has started to fill out well over the last year and can hold 240lbs+ in time. Anthony displays elite get off &amp; burst at the snap. Able to get off blocks quickly and bend the edge, getting down the line and to the QB quickly. He also displays great hips, able to re-direct and hold the edge as well as have quick COD to go an attack the ball. One thing I noticed this season with Anthony was that he has really added to his arsenal of pass rush moves. With extremely quick &amp; active hands, Anthony can swipe away the OLs hands to keep them from getting a touch to him as he blows past them. He can rip thru, dip his shoulder under the arms of tackles, as well as a nice out &amp; in move with push/pull to find the inside lane into the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A National Recruit in the making, Anthony has exceptional athleticism and a skill set that as he continues to get stronger will make him a top rush defender in the country. Very capable of being in the argument as a top overall prospect in these future rankings in what is a loaded class at the top. I look forward to seeing more of Anthony this spring &amp; next season as I predict big things from him going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore Season Highlights<a href="https://twitter.com/gcfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gcfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://t.co/lxFWe2NNYY">https://t.co/lxFWe2NNYY</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1291840' first='Anthony' last='Sweeney'] (@TankManBeast) <a href="https://twitter.com/TankManBeast/status/1893852003941466396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934280"],"_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-67c1f82c40282"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jamar is a sleeper of a prospect still but I expect that to change big time this spring. With only two Power 4 Offers so far, Jamar comes to Salesianum after playing his sophomore year at Tower Hill HS (DE). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player that impacts the game across all 3 levels. Jamar finished last year with 742 receiving yards 9 TDs and 44 tckls 4 INTs and made 1st Team All State WR &amp; DB as well as 2nd Team All Conference KR. Jamar has great size and length, at 6'4" 185lbs with a long limbed frame that will fill out very well. A great overall athlete, Jamar is a multi-sport kid playing basketball and running track as well. An incredibly rangy player, Jamar has a smooth fluid stride that allows him to cover a ton of area back at Safety or take a slant to the house passing by the entire defense as a WR. He shows excellent ball skills, he tracks it well and shows strong hands able to go and snatch it out of the air. That combined with his leaping ability to go up and get it makes Jamar a very tough cover and an excellent deep ball &amp; red zone threat. He is not just a straight-line runner though, he shows ability to get good YAC and some twitch in his hips to make space for himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently I like Jamar best as an X WR but he comes in as the #1 rated athlete as he could end up playing multiple spots at the next level. Colleges could like/use him in many ways with his athleticism and versatility and I expect them to learn that this spring/summer once they get eyes on Jamar as he is a no brainer Power 4 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore SZN Highlights Part 2 -<br>C/O 2027 WR/SS<br>1st Team All State WR and DB✅️<br>1st Team All Conference WR and DB✅️<br>2nd All Conference Kick Returner✅️<br>6'4 180 lbs 55 catches | 742 receiving yards | 9 Receiving TD's<br>44 tackles | 4 Ints | 4.5 TFL | 2 FF | 1 PBU <a href="https://t.co/EQqt05HAkL">pic.twitter.com/EQqt05HAkL</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='934280' first='Jamar' last='Taylor'] (@Lebelve_34) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lebelve_34/status/1865432157209989334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348723"],"_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-67c1f82c402ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another strong edge rusher in this 2027 class that is loaded at that spot, Alexander brings nice size, strength and athleticism. It makes sense he would be a top 10 player in the class as he already holds double digit Power 4 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexander has exceptional explosiveness off the edge, is a missile to the ball. That is backed up by a reported 4.69 laser 40 which is elite for his position. A great motor that never quits, Alexander is always around the ball and can get sideline to sideline chasing down QBs &amp; RBs. He uses a quick first step to get blockers off balance and follows up with active hands to get past them. A twitchy athlete, Alexander has great hips to set the edge and keep the play from getting outside of him. He also has the strength and leverage to hold his ground before scrapping off blockers to make the tackle. Making him equally as effective in run support as pass rush that could lead to him being able to move around as a DL and be a very versatile player for defensive coordinators at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First 4 !! <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachMessay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMessay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/lbcoachchris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lbcoachchris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJdubSFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJdubSFA</a> <a href="https://t.co/o407JMHrFO">https://t.co/o407JMHrFO</a></p>&mdash; Alexander taylor (@AlexanderT15470) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexanderT15470/status/1837587361615540267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["423046"],"_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-67c1f82c4030e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another top player out of St. Frances, James is a prospect I have liked for a long time now. Playing mainly WR as a freshman, he got more time at DB and playing it very well which is why he is now #2 ranked ATH in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing WR, James displays strong hands and is a strong leaper. He plucks the ball out the air and is able to go up and get it. Effective as red-zone threat as well as across all 3 levels of the passing game. Along with being a crisp route runner, with the ability to beat press and stem his routes to create separation. James is also an excellent blocker at WR, not afraid at all to mix it up and drive DBs out of the plays. On defense,James can cover a lot of grass and comes downhill to fill and shows nice physicality. This allows him to play over the top of come down in the box. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his combination of excellent size, physicality and athleticism James is a very intriguing prospect. I could see him playing WR/S or even growing into an OLB. There is a lot to like about James' game and it is no wonder he holds double digit Power offers already. I expect a huge junior season out of James and he will certainly be competing for that #1 ATH spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1628248"],"_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-67c1f82c40352"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The final of four edge prospects to make the overall top 10 in the rankings, Rion is another sleeper gem prospect that is heating up. Picking up five offers just in the month of February, four of which where from Power 4 schools, Rion is a name to know going into this spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Measuring in at a verified 6'5" and 215lbs with a frame to hold 240 easily, Rion has the size length and frame that makes him an ideal top recruit. A nice overall athlete, playing basketball and lacrosse as well. Those multi-sport skills show on film as he is a strong runner, able to close on the ball quickly and shows a good motor. Rion had fluid oily hips, able hold the edge, play in space and even drop in coverage. A physical player, Rion flies to ball and strikes. He will hit you and let you know about it. Displays quick &amp; active hands and shows some nice range of pass rush moves. He can flash a fast out &amp; in, can swim the OT, and able to stack and shed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rion is a player poised for a huge spring/summer. He progressed more and more as the season went and has a lot of room to develop making him a very intriguing prospect that could be fighting for a top 5 spot come next rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/Fk20IbFPDs">https://t.co/Fk20IbFPDs</a></p>&mdash; Rion Jackson15 (@RionJackson15) <a href="https://twitter.com/RionJackson15/status/1886077448187523296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->