2027 Rankings Update: Rising Up the Rankings

To see that bump in the rankings during this update took a special display of growth and development. We added nearly 100 new names and faces to the 2027 rankings during this update, so those original 220 athletes had their work cut out for them to climb the charts. Several were up to the challenge, though. Through dominant camp numbers and performances, as well as another watch through the sophomore tape the student athletes in today's article saw their stock take some of the biggest jumps in the process. Let's talk about how they did it.    Rise: 32 -> 10   Coaches, you need to have this DB/RB on your boards if he isn't there already. He has put together a strong offseason, adding muscle and power in the weight room highlighted by numbers like a 410 lbs squat for 3 reps. That pairs with track efforts like a school record long jump, and a 10.95 100M. On the camp circuit he further verified his athletic dominance with a 10'8" broad and a 4.56 40. All that comes after a sophomore season that saw him flash gamebreaking vision, instincts, and speed at RB and safety while helping Notre Dame win a State Championship. Kingston holds offers from North Dakota and North Dakota State already. I can't wait for the show he is going to put on this fall with his teammates.     Rise: 20 -> 11   Sam has done a great job of putting himself among the best in an OL Class that will make WI proud for years to come. His 6'6" 265 lbs frame comes equipped with a 79" wingspan, allowing him to always be the first to land that initial strike. The starting LT brings excellent range to the position, proving he can easily get to the opposite edge and kick out a defender or lead up through a gap to level two. Overall, Sam does a great job of being light on his feet while getting to level two or mirroring and reacting to pass rushers. The difference maker is how Sam is still able to stay loaded up with power while moving with that range and fluidity. The rising OL has earned an offer from South Dakota State this offseason. He and his teammates are poised for a season to remember.     Rise: 35 -> 23   Brady has put together a fantastic offseason. I wasn't able to cross paths with him at camps, but multiple other PRZ scouts did and there was no hiding their excitement for his development and upside going forward. Brady is up to a strong 6'2" 190 lbs while also running 4.5 in the 40 this summer. Brady has spent the offseason further verifying his three level talents. He is a safety who you can trust to roam the backend with his high IQ and speed or ask him to drop down on a receiver and stay in their hip pocket through routes and break up passes. His 100+ tackles as a sophomore also verify that the dude isn't afraid to set the tone or be that last line of defense. It has been a great summer for the Aquinas athlete.     Rise: 107 - 27   One of the biggest risers is Catholic Memorial LB [player_tooltip player_id='1620346' first='Ne'Vareon' last='Flowers']. Flowers ended last season right around 205 lbs, and is currently listed at 230 lbs. That big increase is size should help him with the physical aspect of the position. Whether it be setting the edge against the run, shedding blocks between the tackles, or making forward progression-ending tackles in short yardage situations. Flowers is an explosive athlete who has found a lot of success thanks to his ability to fly through a gap or at least get a step on an OL and give himself the leverage advantage. I can't wait to see the impact he is able to make with an additional 20+ lbs on his frame. He may not be done rising up our boards.     Rise: 49 -> 34   I am jacked up to watch some weekly [player_tooltip player_id='1126395' first='Orville' last='Blohm'] highlights when the season gets underway. He spent the summer catching the eyes of several Prep Redzone scouts. Orville is an easy kid to become a fan of. He is quick out of his stance, closes quickly on his targets and is able to unload some devastating power right at the point of contact. Blohm is loaded dup with power from his feet to his hands and his natural ability to play with a low pad level allows him to get underneath his opponents and drive them off the ball in the run game. Orville also has that difference-making range to his game, easily reaching DL or getting to level two. The arrow is only going to continue to point upwards for Orville. Keep a close watch on this kid.     Rise: 68 -> 36   Deangelo is another kid in this Class that I was able to see in person over the summer, and my high hopes were validated with what I saw. The reigning Badger Large Defensive Player of the Year is blessed with an elite first step and initial burst off the line. The 2027 DL has done a great job of turning that speed into power giving him a variety of ways to defeat blocks of much larger OL. Clay has shown he can change pad levels at full speed, his hands are equally strong and quick, and his ability to change direction mid-pass rush was second to none at the camps I saw him perform at. Get ready for another monstrously productive year for the 2027 DL.     Rise: 108 -> 57   Another favorite of the Prep Redzone scouting staff is Menomonee Falls LB [player_tooltip player_id='1512415' first='Connor' last='Boyles']. It seems like every camp we had a new member of the staff writing about how impressed they were by his performances. Connor is turning himself into a highly impactful, three down LB. One that you can keep on the field on third downs and let him roam around in zone coverage and make plays on the ball. And on first/second downs he can read and react, run sideline to sideline, and close with violence. It was a great summer for Connor, and the '27 looks ready for an impactful 2025 season.     Rise: 151 -> 67   What a summer it has been for Lourdes Academy WR [player_tooltip player_id='1620602' first='Lucas' last='Neuens']. I crossed paths with him a few times on the camp circuit, and by the end of every camp Lucas was leaving as one of the top testers of the day. Numbers like an eclipsing 35" in the vertical 4 times at one camp. Or running elite L-Drills like a 7.09 at the Lake Show. Lucas also ran in the 4.5-4.6 range throughout the summer rounding out a picture of an athlete who can dominate with quickness or long speed. The 2027 was able to get some run on varsity as a sophomore, but I have high hopes for a breakout junior season. He is well worth having on your radars as the season gets rolling.     Rise: 105 -> 81   Jamal is an exciting LB/edge defender that already has a lot of varsity action under his belt. That experience could have him in position for a breakout season that includes a lot of backfield disruption for opposing offenses. Jamal's ability to align at MLB or off the edge is a major strength to his game. He has the IQ and instincts to read and react from the middle and the athleticism to chase down the ball. You can also have him come off the edge with a solid first step and use his ability to bend to get around the corner on an OT. Booker brings the violence to the field that sets the tone down in and down out. Big things ahead for him.     Rise: 148 -> 85   We wrap up with another favorite of mine from this Class. Kainan has continued to put on the size this offseason and has eclipsed 200 lbs, giving him a prototypical RB1 frame that can handle a large workload. Even with the added size, Strong has continued to build on his athleticism. That includes numbers like a 4.6 40, 7.16 shuttle, and multiple 10'+ broad jumps. The incoming junior was also apart of some very successful relay teams for WDP Track & Field. Kainan's opportunities should be increased this fall, so I'm excited to watch him further prove his abilities and demand to be a highly-regarded member of this Class.

To see that bump in the rankings during this update took a special display of growth and development. We added nearly 100 new names and faces to the 2027 rankings during this update, so those original 220 athletes had their work cut out for them to climb the charts. Several were up to the challenge, though. Through dominant camp numbers and performances, as well as another watch through the sophomore tape the student athletes in today's article saw their stock take some of the biggest jumps in the process. Let's talk about how they did it.