2027 Watchlist Check-In: Athletes

This week has been fun. We've been evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist, adding several to the rankings as we go. We're finishing the series by looking at a large group of athletes. Which two-way players sit on our watchlist, and which ones could emerge as late-blooming college prospects?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 Watchlist Athletes</h2>   Editor's Note: If you want more information about how a player ends up on our watchlist, check out my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2027-watchlist-edge-rushers/">2027 Edge Rusher Check-In</a>, where I went in-depth on the mechanics behind our watchlist feature.    Johnson missed some time last year, but when he was on the field, he had a significant impact for Ambassador Christian. The speedy defensive back is stronger than his frame suggests, and that strength translates to the field. He often lined up against bigger receivers in the slot and isn't afraid to hit. His athletic profile isn't one that screams run-stopper, but on the field, he's excellent in that regard.     Kearney has good size for a safety, and he's rangy as well. He put it all together in a breakout junior campaign in which he racked up 58 tackles. At this point, he's likely going to stay a full-time defensive back. His particular skill set, including his ability to read the quarterback's eyes and make plays on the ball, fit best there.     Wright is also a talented baseball player, and on the football field, he has potential as a versatile defensive back. He can play both safety and linebacker. He's grown significantly in the last two years and will look to make a varsity impact as a senior.     McLean broke out as a sophomore, but didn't see action as a junior. We'd love to get some eyes on him in the not-so-distant future, because if he's healthy for his senior season, he's a force in the defensive backfield.     Take your pick on which side of the ball Marrow best fits on, as the rising senior had a breakout junior season. Marrow had nearly 700 scrimmage yards on offense and picked off four passes from his corner spot. Without a doubt, Marrow will be well within the rankings during the next update.     Green Hope went from seven total wins since 2021 to 6-5 in 2025, and a strong receiving corps should get a lot of the credit. Trainor was a part of that group, racking up over 450 yards on 43 catches. While he often operates as a safety blanket, he has speed to get down the field.     Kellam's impact shifted a bit as a junior as he leaned into his best position. Kellam gained some weight, and while he played both ways, he doubled his tackle number from his sophomore season, while racking up 15 tackles for loss. He's certainly worthy of inclusion in our rankings, and is turning into a legitimate college prospect after bulking up.     Gant is a jittery runner with the ability to get down the field. He also flashed the ball skills and hands to make tough catches, two things that bode well for his chances to play receiver full-time in the future.    This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

This week has been fun. We've been evaluating every player on our 2027 watchlist, adding several to the rankings as we go. We're finishing the series by looking at a large group of athletes. Which two-way players sit on our watchlist, and which ones could emerge as late-blooming college prospects?