2027 Player Rankings Update: Breakout Candidates, Part I

The beauty of watching film is that there always is more to see. That was exactly the case for this set of previously-ranked prospects. The prospects discussed in this article where initially ranked prior to performing this update; however, after re-watching their film and considering other factors like recruitment status, transfers, last season's performance, and graduation, these prospects are some of my favorite primed for big time, breakout seasons.    For [player_tooltip player_id='691039' first='Abdul' last='Turay'], in many ways he represents the rich getting richer. On the heels of a monster sophomore season toting the rock (297/2517/37), Turay subsequently exited St. John Vianney with former head coach Bobby Acosta and is heading to Hudson County to play for St. Peter's Prep This move allows Turay, already a top 10 prospect in the state, to run behind the #4 overall prospect and New Jersey's top offensive lineman in the class of 2027, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/oluwasemilore-olubobola/">[player_tooltip player_id='1658068' first='Oluwasemilore' last='Olubobola']</a>. Showing great ability on film and with the production to match, expect Turay to snap this year - akin to how [player_tooltip player_id='284069' first='Najee' last='Calhoun'] did when he went to Bergen Catholic. With so much talent atop the class of 2027, it is hard right now to get him ranked higher; however, if he has the type of year many expect he certainly will push for a place in the top 5.   Prior Rank: 11 Current Rank: 10 Net Increase: +1     If you are asking me for stock advice, I would buy stock in Elizabeth's [player_tooltip player_id='857107' first='Nahjae' last='Smith']. A full time varsity starter since his freshman year, Smith's numbers exploded in year two. Despite his reception total only increasing by 8 catches, his yards per catch jumped from 10.3 to 20, while also scoring 7 times. On defense, Smith accumulated 84 stops (36 solo), 1.5 TFLs, and 2 ints. This production led to offers from schools like Maryland, Michigan State, Duke, and several others. Perhaps this was the impetus for Smith's tremendous offseason where he totally exploded, Hulking up his physique as noted while at the FDU Mega Camp.   Prior Rank: 27 Current Rank: 11 Net Increase: +9   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NahjaeSmith/status/1944444131603820671 </div></figure>     Playing in the state's toughest division will go miles for your development. This is what is occurring with [player_tooltip player_id='852611' first='Isaiah' last='Alvarez']. Alvarez slashed 48/721/9 last fall during his breakout campaign as a sophomore and grew exponentially as the season went on. From his first varsity start at Archbishop Hoban (OH) where he caught 1 ball for 3 yards, to his signature game in the state semifinal against St. Augustine where he caught 2 passes for 110 yards and 2 scores, his role and utilization steadily increased - along with his growing list of college offers.     It is not often you see a prospect leave Bergen Catholic, but that is exactly what [player_tooltip player_id='531992' first='Connor' last='Long'] did. After the conclusion of his freshman season, Long returned home to play for his Old Bridge Knights. What makes Long unique is something that you cannot teach: size. Now at approximately 6'8" and 340lbs, Long has racked up offers from Syracuse, Toledo, and Rhode Island thus far.     There are big shoes to fill for Bergen Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='437687' first='Bryan' last='Porter'] - those of big brother and current Ohio State Buckeye Quincy Porter to be specific. Although the younger Porter has yet to truly break out like Quincy before him, sources tell me that Bryan is actually further along skill-wise than Quincy was at the same point during his prep career. Expect his modest 24/220/1 slash line to improve - as well as his ranking - this season as more opportunities open up on offense.     After much hype entering Seton Hall that was suddenly halted due to an apparent injury, [player_tooltip player_id='205460' first='Kahden' last='Davis'] is on to greener pastures closer to home at Donovan Catholic. I had an opportunity to see Davis live this summer and it was as clear as day he has received top-fight coaching at a young age, probably works with a private quarterback coach, is well built together, and has command on his throws. With a talented roster and a competitive schedule, many eyes are on Davis to see if he can deliver on the hype, praise, and esteem he garnered for himself so early in his career.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Player Rankings Update Coverage</h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2026-player-rankings-update-ranking-stock-risers-part-i">Rankings Stock Risers, Part I</a>

The beauty of watching film is that there always is more to see. That was exactly the case for this set of previously-ranked prospects. The prospects discussed in this article where initially ranked prior to performing this update; however, after re-watching their film and considering other factors like recruitment status, transfers, last season's performance, and graduation, these prospects are some of my favorite primed for big time, breakout seasons.