2027 Rankings: Grading Offensive Positions

Now that we have released new 2027 rankings we wanted to take a larger view of the class grading out the position groups along with looking at the top tier and depth.  Here is 2027 Rankings: Grading Offensive Positions!   Quarterback   Class Grade:   A+ Top Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='611846' first='Israel' last='Abrams'] narrowly edged out a strong group of QBs for the top spot.  The Montini QB went 10-0 last season leading his team to a state title.  Showed elite arm strength, leveling the ball over the defense, and running ability.   Top Tier: Absolutely a stellar group of QBs in 2027.  [player_tooltip player_id='426566' first='Trae' last='Taylor'] (Nebraska commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='342339' first='Jameson' last='Purcell'] (Indiana commit) are right behind Abrams among the best handful of prospects overall.  Upside QBs [player_tooltip player_id='214234' first='Jayden' last='Ellington'], [player_tooltip player_id='1598810' first='Reece' last='Shanklin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1598818' first='Michael' last='Vander Luitgaren'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1335265' first='Jake' last='Nawrot'] are all primed for big seasons where they could blow up!   Depth of Position:   The top tier depth is evident as mentioned above. Solid depth at the position within the top 100 with guys like [player_tooltip player_id='607399' first='Matthew' last='Brady'], [player_tooltip player_id='403899' first='Brody' last='Hasquin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1615582' first='AJ' last='Rayford'], and more.  [player_tooltip player_id='432149' first='Ryder' last='Startz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1597478' first='Dominic' last='Maloney'] could make moves up the board after potentially replacing stars.   Running Back   Class Grade:   B+ Top Prospect: Myson-Johnson Cook from East St. Louis is the headliner.  The transfer from Texas is a monster in the backfield and one of the better backs in the country.   Top Tier:   Johnson-Cook along with [player_tooltip player_id='1791819' first='Jeremiah' last='Stonewall'] out of Marian Catholic are the top two backs and both being pursued by P4 programs.  Simeon back [player_tooltip player_id='1791842' first='James' last='Bell'] and East St. Louis' other running back [player_tooltip player_id='1282833' first='Amir' last='Tillman'] are going to be priorities for Group of 5 schools.   Depth of Position:   Like the depth inside the top 76 with 13 running backs among it.  Overall there are 37 running backs in the top 250.  A ton of small college backs in this class.   Wide Receiver   Class Grade:   B+ Top Prospect: Mt. Carmel pass catcher [player_tooltip player_id='432197' first='Quentin' last='Burrell'] is a stud! He recorded 18 TDs as a sophomore and is one of the most explosive players in the state at any position. Top Tier:   In that first group with Burrell is a pair of East St. Louis wide outs in [player_tooltip player_id='1335408' first='Laron' last='Baker Jr.'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1335411' first='Ronnie' last='Gomiller'].  They were major factors last year and are primed to become superstars this season! Depth of Position:   There are 12 prospects in the top 100 with a few of our favorites being Belleville East's [player_tooltip player_id='1344621' first='James' last='Johnson'], Geneva's [player_tooltip player_id='1598846' first='Bennett' last='Konkey'], and Batavia's [player_tooltip player_id='1120450' first='Darin' last='Ashiru'].       Tight End   Class Grade:   B- Top Prospect: The grade gets a boost from having a superstar at the top in Libertyville's [player_tooltip player_id='1628153' first='Brock' last='Williams'] who is one of the premier guys in the country at the position.  Vertical pass catching threat that is a game changer in the passing game.   Top Tier:   [player_tooltip player_id='1518233' first='Austin' last='Coles'] (Barrington) and [player_tooltip player_id='1625326' first='Warren' last='Schweitzer'] (Rochelle) are two TE that form that next group right after Williams.   Depth of Position:   Only 11 tight ends overall in the rankings with most of them coming in the 140-250 range. A lot of blocking TE as well.   Offensive Line   Class Grade:   A- Top Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='1329014' first='Cameron' last='Wagner'] out of St. Joseph Ogden remains the top offensive lineman in the state. He has everything you can ask for in an offensive tackle at the Power 4 level!   Top Tier:   This group isn't quite what 2026 is, but it isn't far behind.  [player_tooltip player_id='901504' first='Carlos' last='Rios'] (DePaul Prep), [player_tooltip player_id='1344896' first='Brogan' last='Kjellesvik'] (Morris), Luke Injaychok (Nazareth), [player_tooltip player_id='1598833' first='Mason' last='Halliman'] (Lincoln Way East), [player_tooltip player_id='1334139' first='Angeles' last='Coleman'] (Sterling), and [player_tooltip player_id='472668' first='Josiah' last='Wallace'] (Glenbard West) are all looking like P4 offensive lineman at this stage of the process. Depth of Position:   17 offensive lineman ranked in the top 100 is pretty strong.  The depth drops off however at the FCS and small college level after that.   Athlete   Class Grade:   B- Top Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='1661734' first='Keysan' last='Taylor'] out of Rockford Guilford is an impactful prospect at both EDGE and tight end as he could have a bright future at either spot.   Top Tier:   Two southern Illinois athletes we really like after Taylor are [player_tooltip player_id='1271823' first='Tyler' last='McConnell'] (Nashville) and [player_tooltip player_id='1334152' first='Donald' last='Collier'] (Cahokia). McConnell probably projects best at tight end, but also shows some intriguing tools at defensive end. Collier is a playmaker all over the field on both sides for Cahokia. Depth of Position:   This is a tough position to give a depth grade on as it is a mix of potential positions and skill sets, but after the top three it is a bit underwhelming as a whole.

Now that we have released new 2027 rankings we wanted to take a larger view of the class grading out the position groups along with looking at the top tier and depth. Here is 2027 Rankings: Grading Offensive Positions!