2027 Playmakers Owning the Off-Season Grind

The class of 2027 is loaded with talent and as they pile up game experience, a few off-seasons in the training grind, and toss in some personal growth along the way and suddenly these young ballers are more than ready to step up and hit somebody in the mouth.   The maturation process is different for everyone, but what is the same across the board is the guys who put in the dedicated off-season grind are going to accelerate their growth and development at a significantly faster rate than if you blow it off and just get pumped up to play right before the season starts.   And, according to a man much wiser than myself, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail...” or something like that.   So, that leaves one legit choice, or at the very least, the most obvious: get out of bed at the butt-crack of dawn in the off-season so you can go be a baller in the fall.   In this report we are taking a look at five players from a variety of positions who are ready to do just that this fall. The first two are seasoned vets getting ready for breakout seasons, followed by three guys who are going to be on everyone's radar by the end of the year.   All five have been laser focused getting ready for the all-important junior season.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready for this fall:   [player_tooltip player_id='1113256' first='Kenvonta' last='Jackson'], 5'10, 185, LB/RB, Wichita SE, '27. He is coming off a productive sophomore season as a two-way linebacker and running back. On the defensive side of the ball is where he has shined so far as an instinctive ball buster with great read and react skills and closing speed fighting through traffic to get to the the runner. With his low center of gravity and lateral quickness he shoots gaps or flows up and down the LOS to deliver the hammer. He has been a man on a mission this off-season working out almost daily in order to get positioned to hit his target of 120 tackles this fall. This guy is a force and is about to show scouts he's ready for the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='935500' first='Timi' last='Moronfolu'], 5'11, 175, DB, Eisenhower, '27. He is another experienced warrior defensive back who has his sights on a breakout season this fall. Last year he piled up 42 tackles, intercepted a pass and had a pair of fumble recoveries as a lockdown corner who can get in the receiver's grill, flip hips at the snap and stay in his back pocket the entire route. His off-season has been strong and training has started reaping dividends as he is bigger and faster than last year, showing his explosiveness with a 36" vertical and clocked a 4.6 forty. He has been perfecting his craft at numerous camp-combines this summer and is ready to declare his side of the field a no-fly zone this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1672095' first='Joey' last='Dintino'], 5'10, 170, QB/DB, Plainville, '27. He is coming off a good sophomore season as a dual-threat quarterback/defensive back with a high-ceiling game. Last year he got further acclimated to the varsity level, producing excellent numbers with 1,100 yards in total offense and 10 touchdowns. With his athleticism and quickness he is dangerous running the RPO, but where he sets himself apart is throwing the football. He has a strong pocket presence and good mechanics, but is equally adept at throwing on the move or from different platforms and launch angles. This guy is a sleeper in western Kansas but is getting ready to air it out in a big way this fall.   Joseph Jefferson, 6'0, 155, DB, Leavenworth, '27. He is another rising-star defensive back who is coming off a good season establishing himself as a smothering corner who can shut down the pass game on his side as well as collapse down and make the punishing open-field tackle. He is versatile enough to play multiple positions and this fall will transition to the backend of the secondary as a safety. With his length, athleticism and fly-to-the ball instincts he is going to really excel in the new position. His off-season training has been productive as he is taller, put on 15 pounds and got faster in the process. This guy is a baller getting ready to show the state he is a top-flight d-back with an electric season this fall.   Easton McCarty, 5'11, 175, WR/DB, KC Piper, '27. He is a talented playmaker flying under the radar so far but is getting ready to change that this fall. He is coming off a strong sophomore season as the most-improved player on offense, where he is a WR who can split wide or operate out of the slot. On defense he can play anywhere in the secondary and has also excelled on special-teams. He has had a good off-season putting on 25 pounds and growing a couple inches while still clocking forty's in the 4.6's. With his strong work ethic and determination he has hit the summer hard to be available to play every snap if needed. This guy is the real-deal and on his way to producing some fireworks this fall.   In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall – you will not be disappointed.   And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

The class of 2027 is loaded with talent and as they pile up game experience, a few off-seasons in the training grind, and toss in some personal growth along the way and suddenly these young ballers are more than ready to step up and hit somebody in the mouth.