First look at Maryland’s 2027 ranked prospects: Part 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll be giving my first evaluation on ranked prospects in the Class of 2027 over the next several weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's Part 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2107831"],"_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-697d571b31d0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> Rubin is a smart, competitive safety who plays with good awareness. He stays on top of routes in man coverage, shows reliable ball skills, and puts himself in position to make plays downfield. Rubin's highlights show him moving well in the pocket and reacting quickly to both the pass and the run. He's a sure tackler in space, using good angles and solid form to limit yards after the catch. Continuing to build strength will help Rubin's recruiting. It'll show that he can hold his own against bigger bodies if he ends up playing at the next level.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2107857"],"_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-697d571b31d71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Taffe is a physical, versatile defender with a strong frame. His highlights show that he is a versatile defender (SS/LB) who impacts the game in multiple ways. He plays with great instincts, reads run concepts quickly, and consistently beats blocks to set the edge and create tackles for loss. Taffe shows comfort in coverage. There are a few plays where he's dropping into zones, breaking on throws, and making plays on the ball. Those plays include interceptions and pass breakups. Taffe's physicality stands out. Whether he's blowing up blockers, forcing incompletions, or finishing tackles in space, he shows up on film. He backed it up statistically with 50 total tackles (29 solo), eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, and four pass deflections. He's a true hybrid safety/linebacker who can do it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2107871"],"_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-697d571b31dc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Forrester is a long cornerback with good size and strong field awareness. He stays disciplined in zone coverage, doesn't bite on underneath routes, and consistently plays deeper than the deepest receiver. Forrester shows natural ball skills in his highlights, winning 50–50 throws and putting himself in position to create turnovers. He's also active in run support, closing quickly, and tackling with physicality behind it. His instincts, technique, and playmaking ability, combined with his size for the position, make Forrester one to keep an eye on this offseason when it comes to recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1422237"],"_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-697d571b31e12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gandy is a long, athletic corner with good size and clear upside despite limited film due to injury. He stays patient in his backpedal, keeps proper leverage, and consistently stays on top of routes in both man and zone coverage. Gandy shows comfort playing in the red zone, using positioning and discipline to take away slants and fades (his goal-line reps on his highlights showcase this). Even when the ball doesn't come his way, he remains in phase and forces quarterbacks to look elsewhere. With more reps and a full, healthy season, his stock should rise some more. His size is intriguing enough. This off-season will be even more important for Gandy since he wasn't able to play a full season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->