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2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout

2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout
Matt Tate
Matt Tate January 14, 2026 @ 07:39 PM
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In this article:

Derek Niday
Derek Niday 5'8" | 150 lbs | WR | 2027
CO
Blake Pennick
Blake Pennick 6'2" | 175 lbs | P | 2027
CO
Colton Shirley
Colton Shirley 6'2" | 180 lbs | LB/WR | 2027
CO
William Deater
William Deater 6'5" | 215 lbs | TE/EDGE | 2027
CO
Malakhi Payne
Malakhi Payne 5'11" | 150 lbs | RB | 2027
CO
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1661082"],"_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-6968455edb804"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Niday measures in at 5'8 165-pounds. This past season, he had 26 receptions for 451 yards and 3 touchdowns. Niday has good athletic ability due to very good jumping, change of direction, good speed, and acceleration. Niday has a good release at the line of scrimmage due to his quick feet. He excels against the press jam. Fluid route running with good separation quickness. Manages to find a soft spot in the zone and exploit. Niday has strong catching with good ball tracking skills. Plucks the ball with ease. Good body adjustment and body control. I'm projecting Niday to have a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608637"],"_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-6968455edb874"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deater measures in a 6'5 195-pounds. He's a dominating presence at the tight end position. Deater has good athletic ability due to very good jumping, acceleration, good speed, and change of direction. Very good release. Smooth breaking out of a block and into a route. Very good separation quickness due to his athletic ability, play strength, and mental processing. He'll sit in a void, run through a defender, or outrun the guy. Very good catching and ball tracking skills. He'll use his lengthy arms and suction hands to come down with the catch. He balled out at our Stock Up Showcase event, and should be getting more looks on the college circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1641417"],"_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-6968455edb8c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pennick is one of the premier punters in the box state, even though he barely has the chance to punt it due to the potent Cherry Creek offense. He measures in at 6'3 192-pounds. Pennick had 12 total punts, 4 were inside the 10-yard line, with his longest being 52 yards with a 4.5 second hangtime. Pennick has very good leg strength allowing him very good kick power. He launches it downfield effortlessly. Very good leg accuracy. He maintains a long hang time as well. He can flip the field with ease, and put his defense in great position to make plays. Great young punter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1635063"],"_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-6968455edb91e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shirley measures in at 6'2 177-pounds, playing RB/LB for Platte Canyon. He has 81 carries for 222 yards and 1 touchdown, with 57 total tackles (22 solo, 35 assisted). Shirley has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, change of direction, lateral quickness, good speed, and balance. Shirley has very good read and reaction speed. He consistently puts himself in position to succeed. Very good blitzer with very good take off speed. Good get off and block shedding. Shirley has good range as well. He's productive in zone coverage too. Offensively, he has good vision and good inside running. He follows his offensive line in short yardage situations and gets the first down. Look out for Shirley his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571609"],"_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-6968455edb96d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payne measures in at 5'11 165-pounds. He had 211 carries for 1533 yards with 20 touchdowns, paired with 4 receptions for 13 yards. Payne has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, change of direction, balance, and good acceleration. Very good vision to power through the defense. He'll use his dynamic jump cuts to glide effortlessly through the defense and into the endzone. Very good inside and very good outside running. He turns the corner and uses his home run speed to reach the endzone. Payne keeps getting yards after contact due to his balance and powerful legs. He runs through defenders with his good trucking and will gain more yards with a stiff arm too. Look out for him to keep balling out next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
Derek Niday

Derek Niday

CO
WR
HEIGHT 5'8"
WEIGHT 150
POS WR
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Derek
Niday WR
Class
2027
Height
5'8"
Weight
150
HS
Ponderosa
|
CO
2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout
Niday measures in at 5’8 165-pounds. This past season, he had 26 receptions for 451 yards and 3...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Derek Niday

Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Ponderosa
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

William Deater

William Deater

CO
TE/EDGE
HEIGHT 6'5"
WEIGHT 215
POS TE/EDGE
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
William
Deater TE/EDGE
Class
2027
Height
6'5"
Weight
215
HS
Montrose
|
CO
2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout
Deater measures in a 6’5 195-pounds. He’s a dominating presence at the tight end position. Deater has good...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

William Deater

Instagram Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Montrose
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Blake Pennick

Blake Pennick

CO
P
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 175
POS P
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Blake
Pennick P
Class
2027
Height
6'2"
Weight
175
HS
Cherry Creek
|
CO
2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout
Pennick is one of the premier punters in the box state, even though he barely has the chance...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Blake Pennick

Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Cherry Creek
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Colton Shirley

Colton Shirley

CO
LB/WR
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 180
POS LB/WR
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Colton
Shirley LB/WR
Class
2027
Height
6'2"
Weight
180
HS
Platte Canyon
|
CO
2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout
Shirley measures in at 6’2 177-pounds, playing RB/LB for Platte Canyon. He has 81 carries for 222 yards...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Colton Shirley

State: Colorado
School: Platte Canyon
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Malakhi Payne

Malakhi Payne

CO
RB
HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 150
POS RB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Malakhi
Payne RB
Class
2027
Height
5'11"
Weight
150
HS
Monarch
|
CO
2027 Players on the Verge of a Breakout
Payne measures in at 5’11 165-pounds. He had 211 carries for 1533 yards with 20 touchdowns, paired with...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Malakhi Payne

Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Monarch
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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