2027 Rankings Update: Sneak Peak

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In less than a week, approximately 90 players will be added to the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll have additions in all three phases of the game and every level of ball in the Palmetto State. Trust us, all of them have earned the right to have a number next to their name.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The main event will come on Wednesday, August 27. For now, enjoy this appetizer of a soft release.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1745339' first='Valentin' last='Escudero']</strong> P, White Knoll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Escudero got one of the two punter nods for the PRZ All-State Preseason Team for a reason. He's got a huge leg capable of 60-plus from time to time. More importantly, he's a bonafide weapon for a White Knoll team that bases its entire winning formula on a stout defense. Escudero is an extension of that, often pinning opponents in a place where the ensuing series leaves little room for hope.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809951' first='Ethan' last='Lowder']</strong> LB/LS, Manning&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lowder saw little time on non-special teams plays last fall since the Monarchs had so many seniors dominating the game reps. But after some of those players departed, his chances of playing valuable minutes at linebacker shot through the roof. He's looking like a 40-50 tackle player as a junior. As icing on the cake, he's still going to be handling long-snapping duties for Manning. Between the two, his time his coming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763831' first='John' last='Stokes']</strong> DL, Hammond&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stokes has a downright dominant burst at times and as showed over the course of the last year that he can take over in the trenches. He's an active lineman who can split blockers or go right through them. With some incoming help from the transfer portal, Stokes' ability to do just that has only increased. There's no reason his junior season shouldn't be flush with stops behind the line, be it tackles for loss or sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809232' first='Evan-Reece' last='Lawter']</strong> QB, Chesnee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After splitting time at the position last season, Lawter has had an entire offseason to take over the job full-time entering his junior season. He had a spectacular showing at the Carolinas Coaches Combines, to the point that several coaches on-site were shocked to discover he wasn't already a seasoned starter. Lawter's decision making complements his arm strength, and with some solid receivers also back, we think the production will follow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809282' first='Savion' last='Booker'] </strong>WR, Mountain View Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We don't say this lightly: Booker may very well lead the Stars in most of their receiving categories despite Charlotte commit [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] being back for his much-talked about senior year. Booker is going to start opposite Hainsworth, and while the senior is going to garner most of the defensive attention, the 5-foot-10, 150-pound Booker has the route-running ability, quickness and outright speed to make defenders look foolish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604450' first='Joshua' last='Norris']</strong> OL, South Pointe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If we're going to rank an expected reserve for the start of the 2025 season this early, there has to be a reason, right? At 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds, Norris also has a near-seven-and-a-half foot wing span. Prior to his transfer from North Carolina (seriously, he transferred from South Point, N.C., to South Pointe S.C.), he was more thought of as a basketball guy. But his presence on the Stallions' line will be felt more and more as the year progresses.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1811126' first='Cole' last='Ivey']</strong> ATH, Academic Magnet&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ivey missed significant time in 2024. Otherwise, he'd already have a number next to his name. This is a player who can run the ball, catch passes, take direct snaps in short-yardage situations, returns punts and kicks and play a number of spots on the defensive side of the ball. He was our springtime pick for team MVP honors and we haven't changed our mind a lick. Ivey is going to be everywhere for the Raptors this fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668403' first='Matthew' last='Casey']</strong> TE/DE, Wren</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Casey (pictured) is a converted offensive tackle who found a home at defensive end last year for the Hurricanes. This time around, he's going to add tight end to his full-time resume. He won MVP honors for the position at the PRZ combine in May, and while he's a block-first additional lineman on offense and is no stranger to the hand-to-hand combat of the trenches, the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder has soft hands that will lead to some extra targets in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->