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6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update

6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
Will Helms
Will Helms August 12, 2025 @ 12:03 PM
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In this article:

Owen Turner
Owen Turner 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB/LB | 2027
NC
Tyler Buchear
Tyler Buchear 5'9" | 210 lbs | LB | 2027
NC
Nate Norton
Nate Norton 6'3" | 205 lbs | EDGE/TE | 2027
NC
Josiah Sandler
Josiah Sandler 5'9" | 195 lbs | LB | 2027
NC
Joseph Bailey
Joseph Bailey 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB/LB | 2027
NC
Lincoln Carlberg
Lincoln Carlberg 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB | 2027
NC
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the middle of August rankings content, but I always have one eye on the future. One of my favorite things to do is have an idea of which prospects are on stock-risers watch for the <em>next</em> rankings update. Often, we have a halfway complete evaluation, but we're still waiting on more info before moving players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point in the season, that often means I'm simply waiting to see if the hype is real and if it translates to the field this fall. Here are six class of 2027 prospects who will almost certainly be higher in the rankings at the next update, as long as they get off to strong starts to the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6 Potential Rankings Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1702336"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b73e1d77bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turner was recently featured as one of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2027-rbs-report-august-rankings-update/">new additions to our 2027 RB Rankings</a> but his ceiling is much, much higher than his current mid-300s position. He's one of the more athletic backs in the state, with an excellent 40 and great size. His explosive metrics are excellent as well. Now, we just want to see him dominate on the field. If he can put up some great numbers, proving the hype is warranted, he could fly up the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278252"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b73e1d7822"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A guy who has always impressed me in person more than the on-field stats would suggest, Carlberg is moving to South Rowan this season. Could a change of scenery really help his varsity career take off? He has all the arm talent to be a dominant quarterback, but we're waiting for the production to catch up. If it does, you can bet on Carlberg moving up in October.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610597"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b73e1d7875"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norton was dominant last year at Red Springs, winning largely off of speed and athleticism off the edge. Now, he's moving up classifications, and I'm interested to see if he can continue that production against more consistent tackle play. If he can, it's a good indication that he can do it at the college level as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610572"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b73e1d78c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When players have a significant offseason transformation, they often have two distinct rankings jumps: one in the offseason when we see them get bigger and stronger, and a second if that actually translates to improved play on the field. We don't like to overreact to physical changes, because we look silly if it doesn't lead to improved play, but I'm expecting Sandler, who put up some serious weight in the weight room this season, to have a great junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1636768"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b73e1d790d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buchear is an old-school run-stuffing linebacker, but a lot of that is out of necessity. He just doesn't have a lot of film in pass coverage because he came from such a run-heavy conference last season. Realignment and the 2025 schedule ensures that Buchear and Lee County will face at least 3-4 capable passing offenses. That alone could give him the opportunity to prove he's a complete linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580801"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b73e1d7960"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't want to add pressure to Bailey, but the reports I've heard are that he's taken a huge step forward as a safety. We can look for all the reasons in the world that guys have breakout seasons whether it's schedule, depth chart changes, scheme changes, etc. and sometimes players just develop. Bailey is one of the guys in the RDU area that I'm most eager to see in person this season as his size and speed profile isn't a common one for a box safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Who else will break out this season and improve their stock before the next rankings update? Let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

We're in the middle of August rankings content, but I always have one eye on the future. One of my favorite things to do is have an idea of which prospects are on stock-risers watch for the next rankings update. Often, we have a halfway complete evaluation, but we're still waiting on more info before moving players.

Owen Turner

Owen Turner

NC
RB/LB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 200
POS RB/LB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Owen
Turner RB/LB
Class
2027
Height
6'1"
Weight
200
HS
Bandys
|
NC
6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
Turner was recently featured as one of the new additions to our 2027 RB Rankings but his ceiling...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Owen Turner

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Bandys
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Lincoln Carlberg

Lincoln Carlberg

NC
QB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 190
POS QB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Lincoln
Carlberg QB
Class
2027
Height
6'1"
Weight
190
HS
South Rowan
|
NC
6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
A guy who has always impressed me in person more than the on-field stats would suggest, Carlberg is...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Lincoln Carlberg

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: South Rowan
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Nate Norton

Nate Norton

NC
EDGE/TE
HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 205
POS EDGE/TE
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Nate
Norton EDGE/TE
Class
2027
Height
6'3"
Weight
205
HS
St. Pauls
|
NC
6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
Norton was dominant last year at Red Springs, winning largely off of speed and athleticism off the edge....
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Nate Norton

State: North Carolina
School: St. Pauls
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Josiah Sandler

Josiah Sandler

NC
LB
HEIGHT 5'9"
WEIGHT 195
POS LB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Josiah
Sandler LB
Class
2027
Height
5'9"
Weight
195
HS
Union Pines
|
NC
6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
When players have a significant offseason transformation, they often have two distinct rankings jumps: one in the offseason...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Josiah Sandler

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Union Pines
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Tyler Buchear

Tyler Buchear

NC
LB
HEIGHT 5'9"
WEIGHT 210
POS LB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Tyler
Buchear LB
Class
2027
Height
5'9"
Weight
210
HS
Lee County
|
NC
6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
Buchear is an old-school run-stuffing linebacker, but a lot of that is out of necessity. He just doesn’t...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Tyler Buchear

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Lee County
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Joseph Bailey

Joseph Bailey

NC
DB/LB
HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 200
POS DB/LB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Joseph
Bailey DB/LB
Class
2027
Height
6'3"
Weight
200
HS
South Garner
|
NC
6 2027 Players Who Could Rise in the Next Rankings Update
I don’t want to add pressure to Bailey, but the reports I’ve heard are that he’s taken a...
Written by Will Helms
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Joseph Bailey

Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: South Garner
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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