Highly Productive New Additions to the Class of 2027

***Use code Johnson30 for 30% off an annual subscription***   I get asked a lot about how to get included in the Prep Redzone WI rankings. There are a lot of paths to do that because I am always looking for that next wave of new additions. Reach out when I request film during the update or any other time of the year on X. Standout at one of our showcases or a camp I attend. Ball out while I'm in attendance at one of your games. Or you can simply put up strong numbers throughout the season and I will eventually find you. That last way is how several kids made it into the recent 2027 Rankings Update. With strong junior seasons that produced big numbers. Let's watch the tape of some of those highly productive new additions that we haven't talked about yet.    Stats: 87 Tackles, 4 TFLs, .5 Sack, 4 INTs, 3 PBUs   Cooper is one of my favorite athletes from the 2025 season. Weekly he proved that he has the safety traits to be able to play at the college level. A really solid frame with plenty of speed to be able to roam a deep half in cover 2. But even more impressive than those physical tools is the mental side of his game. Cooper always is in the right place at the right time to make a big play. He reads the QB so well and does a great job of baiting them into bad throws. Cooper's high football IQ also seems to give him an extra step in coverage. The kids has the ball skills when he arrives to the catch point to create turnovers to put the cherry on top of a dynamic skill set. A big summer is ahead for Cooper and he verifies his athletic traits in front of college coaches.     Stats: 53 Tackles, 4 INTs, 4 PBUs, 305 Rushing Yards, 6 Rushing TDs   Another really impressive safety talent that needs to be on the radars of college coaches is [player_tooltip player_id='2103508' first='Jonas' last='Berndt']. The 6' 180 lbs athlete has built a powerful frame that has the athleticism needed to win in the secondary. Jonas is so versatile in coverage. He has the smooth backpedal and footwork to transition out of his backpedal so that he can play man to man in cover 0 situations. His athleticism and play recognition allow him to easily play over the top, read the QB and then close for the tackle or play on the ball. When the junior isn't shining at safety he was also rotating in at RB and carving up the defense for big chunks of yardage. A must watch athlete.      Stats: 34 Receptions, 778 Yards, 11 TDs   One of the top outside WRs in the Class of 2027 is [player_tooltip player_id='2103512' first='Bennett' last='Nelson']. With a 6'3" 180 lbs frame, Bennett has the long strides and long speed to rip the top off the defense. He is able to get a clean release and instantly stack the CB. From there it is a mad dash for the DB to stay close. Bennett's surprising speed is such a weapon out wide. That big frame also does exactly what you would expect. It allows him to soar over DBs and take the ball off the top shelf and secure it through any contact. Bennett has some of the best ball skills I saw live last season. From timing his jumps, to concentration in a sea of hands, to being strong enough to rip it into his body to secure the catch. The big man is a legitimate weapon out wide. I can't wait to see him do his thing at camps this summer. He is fun to watch.      Stats: 29/49, 431 Passing Yards, 1 Passing TD, 633 Rushing Yards, 6 Rushing TDs, 16 Receptions, 184 Yards, 1 TD, 67 Tackles, 7 TFLs, 4 INTs, 2 PBUs   In all my years of doing this I don't think I have ever had to write out a stat line like Gabe's. This is the epitome of a do-it-all athlete. Passing, rushing, receiving, tackling, making INTs. He had success at every position he played last year. Turn on the tape and you see why he is used so heavily. Speed, quick acceleration, agile, and a very high football IQ. It all comes together to create a package that stands out every Friday night. I can't wait to see how he is utilized as a senior. But before that we will hopefully see numbers put to his athleticism at camps. This is a serious breakout candidate for this summer and fall.      Stats: 88 Tackles, 10 TFLs, 4.5 Sacks, 1 INT, 12 Receptions, 258 Yards, 5 TDs   This kid hits like a Mack truck when he meets guys in the hole. His powerful, stout frame packs a punch and his form is great when he makes tackles. You see him get underneath the ball carrier and then drive through and up, taking guys off their feet a lot of the time. When this kid hits you, forward progression ends. The powerful 2027 also does really well navigating through traffic to get to the ball. Having that ability to go from elusive to power is an impressive switch to watch him through during a play. At TE we get to see a lot of the athleticism shine too, gaining big chunks after the catch in the quick passing game. Check him out.      Stats: 223 Carries, 1402 Rushing Yards, 12 TDs, 18 Receptions, 183 Yards, 2 TDs   A workhorse back for Whitefish Bay, Lateef was a must-add when the update came around. I love how patient Lateef is behind the line of scrimmage. He trusts his OL and gives them time to really open things up in the trenches. Once Love does see that hole open up he can stick is foot in the ground and burst through. Beyond the hole, Lateef has solid speed and contact balance to get the angle or run through an arm tackle. Take a look at the film.      Stats: 82 Tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 FR, 3 INTs, 3 PBUs   This kid is big, strong, and violent. He is a force against the inside run game. The big man is rather nimble on his feet, able to avoid blockers. When that doesn't work the 220 lber has the strength to battle through the OL to the ball. Anthony isn't just a run stuffer, though. Throughout his highlights he drops into coverage and shows the range to get out to the sideline while making plays near the line of scrimmage. Anthony has the talent to continue to climb our charts and is definitely someone to get your eyes on before summer.      Stats: 177 Carries, 966 Rushing Yards, 6 TDs, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards, 2 TDs   At 5'8" 180 lbs you would expect Kanin to be a change of pace back. One who can hit the hole and take it the distance. He just needs a sliver of space. That is true, but Kanin is much more than that. Turn on the tape and you see a muscular RB with an extremely low center of gravity. That and his powerful contact balance have proven to be extremely difficult to tackle. Kanin takes his and rips through arm tackles at a surprising rate and in traffic can be very sudden and elusive with his agility and then flip the switch to powering up field to end plays with force. Check out the intriguing athlete.

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