PRZNY 2027 Rankings: Athletes Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/rankings/2027-rankings/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Check out updated 2027 Rankings</span></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A breakdown of some of the top athletes in the 2027 class in NY - four guys all land in the top 25 and are guys who, if not already, definitely are trending towards being Division One prospects. The ATH position essentially means a guy could play multiple spots, or it is TBD where he will play at the next level. Some players have secondary positions; that just shows you what way I am leaning as of right now to where they will play at the next level, but regardless, the one thing all these guys share is their athleticism is what stands out on tape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513210"],"_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-67ec20573ff3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you remove positional skills from the equation, [player_tooltip player_id='1513210' first='Gavin' last='White'] is one of the most, if not the most, athletically gifted player in New York.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'3, White still needs to fill out, but he shows freakish levels of explosiveness on tape, and he is incredibly loose and twitchy for a prospect so tall and lean. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His position at the next level is likely TBD, both because he currently plays all over the UPrep offense and because of the development of those positional skills. Wide receiver makes a lot of sense, but depending on how he grows and develops physically, you could argue for several different positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["707562"],"_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-67ec20573ffbb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cook Jr. was the biggest name to change schools in this class, as next season he will be with St. Francis in Buffalo. Cook Jr. is a dynamic two-way athlete with potential at the next level at RB or SAF. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On tape, he shows great change of direction and quickness. He is the type of player who has a knack for finding the ball defensively and shows good ball skills both ways. He can make guys miss offensively and has the skill set to be a three-down receiver who can make an impact as a receiver out wide or out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm pretty split right now on what side of the ball he ends up playing; for now I do know that he shows on tape the baseline athleticism required to play at a high level in college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["501394"],"_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-67ec20574000f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buttles is one of the more unique athletes on this list because he has a legitimate shot at being recruited as a quarterback or a safety. Buttles was another notable transfer to St. Francis in Buffalo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most experienced player in this class being a varsity contributor since 8th grade Buttles has impressive athleticism that shows up on tape on both sides of the ball. Defensively, I think he shows impressive instincts in coverage, and offensively, he has the arm strength/velocity to make some tough, tight-window throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539042"],"_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-67ec205740060"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watkins is another potential QB/ATH but I think his best projection is at the LB or Rover position where his 6'3 205lb frame as a sophomore is very intriguing for coaches at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins shows explosive movements all over his tape. A willing tackler, he shows he can be a physical player coming downhill and attacking blockers and ball carriers. I was impressed with his ball skills. Although I see him trending toward the LB position, his physical development could land him at EDGE or SAF alternatively, and that is just defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1143058"],"_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-67ec2057400b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Suazo was a player who I was really impressed with when I saw him this season—he looks the part physically and, for a Sophomore, is more physically ready for the next level than most prospects who play at skill positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Suazo has good ball skills; he shows it all over the tape, and when I saw AP Randolph play, he can make some plays from the WR position. As a two-way prospect I like how those ball skills show up at the SAF position and he is a consistent physical tackler coming downhill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Two Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1539035"],"_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-67ec205740100"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thomas was a big reason Eastridge made a run in last year's postseason, and the two-way athlete will now compete in a higher classification for University Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas was very productive last year, and on tape, you see a good frame at 6' 180 in his sophomore season with the room to continue that physical development. He plays with a great motor on both sides of the ball and is a prospect who can quickly trend up in these rankings if he continues to develop physically and athletically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB makes a lot of sense for Thomas, but if he adds some more weight and strength, SAF or even OLB could be spots for him at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513252"],"_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-67ec20574014f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1513252' first='Elijah' last='Epps'] out of Beacon is a very intriguing athlete. I was able to find tape on him in this class—he showed great quickness and twitchy movements on tape. I am a big fan of his overall movement skills. He flashes some long speed and has the positional versatility to play either WR/RB or DB while also having a strong impact on the return game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Epps will need to add more play strength and continue to get bigger, but 5'10 "175" is a good spot for a Sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->