Scouting the WCAC 2027's: Part 5

The WCAC is always stacked with talent. I'll be taking a look at Class of 2027 prospects that'll be returning for the 2026 season. Whether it's a highly rated prospect or a prospect that's under the radar, we've got you covered.   Today is Part 5.    Sweeney Hanik is a physical guard with power, mobility, and a finisher's mindset. He can pull, climb, and displace defenders. There are a few examples of his power in his highlights. There's one play where he blocks down on the defensive tackle, driving him seven-plus yards before pancaking him. Whenever he gets the chance, Hanik is going to finish the play.    His agility is evident on plays where he pulls. Hanik moves well when he's asked to pool and is good at clearing lanes. Nice mobility for a player of his size. You also get a glimpse of his second-level work; he knows how to adjust in space and get his body between the defender and the ball.    There are a couple of double-team situations in his highlights, showing him working well with teammates in pass protection and combo blocks.  I also think Hanik is effective on down blocks, too.    I'd like to see him become even more explosive coming out of his stance and work on that initial punch, make it more powerful. He's a good lineman, but working on those two things will make him even better.  the 2025 season with 34 total tackles (17 solo), five tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. He is widely considered one of the top defensive players in the nation with over 35 offers.     Martin finished the 2025 season with 52 total tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two quarterback pressures.   Martin's highlight film shows a lot of production in different ways in the first couple of minutes. He brings versatility, whether it's lining up deep, in the box, or even in man coverage. Martin finds ways to make an impact on defense. What jumps out to me is how active he is and how he is always around the football.    The ball skills and instincts are there. Martin has multiple interceptions on his highlights, and they don't all look the same.  He tracks the ball well in the air and reacts quickly when it's tipped or off target (as seen with a couple of his interceptions).    I like his range and closing speed. There's a play where he comes downhill fast to defend a bubble screen to the wide receiver and makes the tackle behind the line of scrimmage. There's another one where he comes from depth and knocks down a pass intended for a receiver 20-25 yards downfield.    As far as physicality goes, there's a play near his goal line that shows him driving through the receiver at the catch point and forcing an incompletion. There's a good sample size of pass coverage plays that show his versatility in alignment. He's able to line up deep, in the box, and also handle man-to-man responsibilities. I like Martin's ability to read the quarterback and break on routes.    I like him a lot in the safety position. He'll just need to put on some good weight on his frame once he gets to the next level     McNeill finished the 2025 season with 62 total tackles (46 solo), three forced fumbles, three pass deflections, and three interceptions.   McNeil is a fast, energetic defensive back who makes his presence felt against the run, pass, and special teams. I have to say, I can't ever remember a defensive back starting out his highlights with three straight special teams plays. McNeil explodes off the edge with real speed and timing, leading to a blocked punt and tackles on the other plays. It's a great example of his awareness and burst.    When it comes to closing speed and range, McNeil covers ground quickly. Whether he's attacking an outside run from safety depth or chasing a runner down from behind, McNeil shows sideline-to-sideline range. There's a highlight where he comes from 8-10 yards deep to deliver a hard hit near the sidelines on a run play; he closes space fast.    He plays much bigger than his size and doesn't shy away from contact. A highlight that shows this is when he comes downhill and delivers a low, hard-hit to the running back that causes him to cough the football up.    I know he plays safety, but McNeil looks like he's more than capable of shifting over to cornerback if needed. Definitely would like to see more pass coverage in the first minute or so of his highlights.        Knutt is a massive interior offensive lineman who excels in the run game with raw power, heavy hands and the mentality of a road-grader. His highlights show him moving bodies and creating clear lanes for his running back. Knutt's power at the point of attack is impressive. He's seen on his highlights locking onto defensive tackles, driving them downfield and finishing them with a pancake.   Despite his size, Knutt moves reasonably well when pulling. There's a touchdown on his highlights that shows him clearing the lane with a strong seal block. He's agile enough to hit his targets when he climbs to the second level. Knutt uses effective angles to wall off defenders and help his backs spring for additional yards.   He definitely plays with a physical edge, driving his legs through contact. Knutt has a heavy base, which gives him downhill leverage and enables him to displace defensive lineman. He's a versatile lineman who can line up at guard and center for his team.   From a pass-protection standpoint, I'm sure we can see more examples of that this summer if he decides to camp. Continuing to improve his lateral quickness will help him when he faces faster defenders.   Knutt's strength, block-finishing, and lane-opening abilities make him an attractive option for a run-heavy school at the next level.

The WCAC is always stacked with talent. I'll be taking a look at Class of 2027 prospects that'll be returning for the 2026 season. Whether it's a highly rated prospect or a prospect that's under the radar, we've got you covered.