Stock Up: ’27 and ’28 Prospects Flash Next-Level Talent

It might be early in the offseason, but a few players from the Class of 2027 and 2028 are already making it clear: they don't plan on waiting their turn.   Whether it's 7-on-7 tournaments, spring workouts, or just showing out on film from last season, this younger crop of talent is starting to separate themselves from the pack. These are the guys turning heads with their work ethic, growth, and raw ability — and some of them are making real cases to be featured players this fall.   Fans love to talk about the future, but for these athletes, the future might come sooner than expected. Let's take a look at some of the '27 and '28 names whose stock is rising fast heading into the 2025 season.    Casper's the kind of receiver who just makes things happen. He's got that natural speed that lets him slip behind defenders, and when the ball's in the air, he's not afraid to go up and win it. He's shown the ability to come down with tough catches through contact, and once he's got the ball, bringing him to the ground isn't easy — especially for smaller defensive backs. What stands out most, though, is how physical he is. He knows how to use his frame to shield off defenders and fight for position, which gives his quarterback a big, reliable target. His sophomore year was shortened by injury, but even in limited reps, he made it clear that he's got game-breaking potential. Now healthy and locked in this offseason, Casper looks primed for a true breakout season in ALA Queen Creek's offense. If he stays on this path, expect him to be one of the key names everyone's talking about once the season kicks off.      Silver's got the kind of frame that immediately jumps out — big, sturdy, and hard to get on the ground. But what makes him even more intriguing is the way he moves for his size. He's surprisingly agile in the pocket, and he's getting better at using that movement to extend plays instead of just absorbing contact. The arm strength? That's been there from day one. He can drive the ball with ease to the far sideline and doesn't shy away from tight-window throws. What's really showing up now is how much more comfortable he's looking when going through reads and putting the ball where only his guy can get it. He's not panicking under pressure — now he's standing tall, scanning, and making good decisions. You can see the growth on film, not just in the physical tools, but in how he's commanding the offense. There's a calm confidence starting to show in his game. If he keeps this trajectory, he's going to be a serious weapon for Eastmark and someone who'll be on a lot of radars come fall.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Went 2-1 in pool play <a href="https://twitter.com/Battle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Battle</a> 7v7 in Vegas. Time to get it done today. <a href="https://twitter.com/5starD1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@5starD1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247Sports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBHitList?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBHitList</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AZPreps365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AZPreps365</a> <a href="https://t.co/gdQUp60oVh">pic.twitter.com/gdQUp60oVh</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1219066' first='Dayne' last='Silver'] 2028 QB (@SilverDayne) <a href="https://twitter.com/SilverDayne/status/1888610263878054045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2025</a></blockquote>     Jones isn't just showing promise — he's already proving it against top-tier competition. Playing for Chandler in the Premiere Region (before the regions got all moved around this offseason) means you're going against the best, and Jones is more than holding his own. He's got those long arms and reliable hands that make him a go-to target in tight windows, and he plays with the kind of poise that makes you forget he's not even an upperclassman yet. The work he's put into the little things this offseason isn't going unnoticed. His footwork is sharper, his routes are more refined, and he's starting to create separation with ease thanks to some added burst and explosiveness off the line. He's physical when he needs to be, smooth when it counts, and there's a maturity to his game that's rare for his age. He doesn't just run his route — he understands how to find space, how to make himself available, and how to win in different ways. Don't be surprised if he takes over as one of Chandler's primary playmakers sooner rather than later — he's already playing like one.      Escobedo's name has been buzzing for a reason. He's clearly been putting in work, whether it's through 7-on-7 reps, visiting schools, or just sharpening his game behind the scenes. The first thing that stands out about him is how natural his throwing motion looks — it's smooth and repeatable, which helps him put the ball where it needs to be with impressive accuracy all over the field. No, he doesn't have a cannon for an arm (yet), but you can tell his body's still filling out, and that strength will come with time. What's really impressive, especially for a guy his age, is how well he sees the field. He's not locking onto his first read like most young quarterbacks tend to do. He's going through his progressions and delivering the ball with confidence. That ability to throw from different angles, too — that's not something you can really teach. It's instinctive. And now, with former NFL running back and Super Bowl champ LeGarrette Blount stepping in as Mountain Pointe's co-offensive coordinator, Escobedo's heading into a great situation. If things click the way they should, he could be in for a breakout season that puts him firmly on the radar statewide.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">QB Spring Work. <a href="https://twitter.com/Elev8QBacademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Elev8QBacademy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpencerRattler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpencerRattler</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/QBDwilliams1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QBDwilliams1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MP_PrideFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MP_PrideFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJonRoberts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJonRoberts</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachJArtis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachJArtis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LG_Blount?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LG_Blount</a> <a href="https://t.co/6ULbmWJHwf">pic.twitter.com/6ULbmWJHwf</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='883313' first='Kristian' last='Escobedo'] (@K1_Escobedo) <a href="https://twitter.com/K1_Escobedo/status/1904376165336596798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2025</a></blockquote>     Rushing plays with a kind of smoothness that's hard to coach — he just glides across the field. Whether he's working out of the slot or lined up wide, there's a real fluidity to how he moves. What really jumps out is how composed he stays when DBs try to get physical with him at the line. Instead of getting knocked off his route, he fights through it with great hand work and keeps his timing sharp. His release is quick and deliberate, and he's got that rare ability to stop on a dime and snap into a break without losing any speed. The hands are no joke, either. When the ball hits him, it's like it just sticks — no double catches, no bobbles, just clean snags with strong, well-placed hands. That kind of consistency is what sets apart good receivers from great ones, especially at his age. He's making himself quarterback-friendly with how reliably he separates and finishes plays. There's a natural polish to his game already, and as he continues to grow physically and stack reps, he's going to be a name that pops up more and more. Definitely one to keep an eye on heading into the fall.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DRushing2027/status/1883623489967640672 </div></figure>     Another year, another Basha quarterback with tools that make you take notice. Rogers has that prototypical gunslinger energy — he's got a live arm that can push the ball downfield with ease, and he's athletic enough to extend plays when things break down. He's not looking to run, though. He keeps his eyes downfield and tries to make a throw, which shows a level of maturity and confidence in his arm. There's a clear resemblance in play style to [player_tooltip player_id='1369445' first='Brodie' last='Vehrs'], Basha's current starter — strong arm, some mobility, and a natural feel for attacking vertically. That said, like most young QBs, there are still a few things to clean up. At times, you'll see him rush through his mechanics when pressured, and it can throw off his mechanics through his delivery. But that's normal at this stage, and the fact that he's already got the instincts and physical traits puts him in a good spot to develop quickly. What'll be interesting is whether Basha looks to get him some late-game varsity reps this year — even just a few series could go a long way in preparing him to take over down the line. He's definitely a name to keep on the radar as he grows into the role.      Powell is the kind of player you look at and think, "yeah, this kid's got something different." He's already standing at 6'4 and 205 pounds heading into just his sophomore season — that's not just good size, that's grown-man size. And the scary part is, he's still just getting started. What makes him so intriguing is the rare blend of traits he brings to the table. He moves with the speed and stride of a wide receiver but plays with the kind of toughness and leverage you'd expect from a pulling guard. When he's asked to block, he doesn't just get in the way — he finishes. That footwork and understanding of leverage in the run game is really impressive, and it shows up on the film. That said, there are still pieces of his game that need polishing. He'll need to keep developing that foot speed and add a little more burst coming in and out of his breaks to stay open against the quicker, more experienced varsity defenders. And filling out his frame a bit more will only help as he starts to line up against some of the state's more physically developed edge rushers. But even with those things still in progress, Powell's raw tools and the early signs of technical polish make him one of the more exciting young tight end prospects in the state. He's got the kind of upside that, with the right development, could turn him into a serious matchup problem at the next level. With Brophy's experienced coaching staff helping guide that growth, Powell's trajectory is definitely worth following closely this year.

It might be early in the offseason, but a few players from the Class of 2027 and 2028 are already making it clear: they don't plan on waiting their turn.