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2027 Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors

2027 Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors
Photo: david branco hudl
Paul Gregorian
Paul Gregorian March 31, 2026 @ 01:50 PM
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Xavier Nunez
Xavier Nunez 2028
CA
Evan Higgs
Evan Higgs 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB/LB | 2027
CA
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"David Branco","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"220","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Eastlake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cc0deb7e076"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Branco is a north and south runner that gets downhill quickly and is tough to take down in the open field once he gets going. He is a compact athlete with lower body power and strength and elite contact balance through tacklers while bouncing off and gaining the tough yards inside. He shows good vision in tight windows with cutback abilities and reads his blocks well before hitting his second gear and cutting against the flow. A change of pace bigger more physical back, he should fit nicely in the backfield in college and recently picked up his first offer from Northern Arizona. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2074124' first='Xavier' last='Nunez']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"La Serna ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cc0deb7e1cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nunez is one of the hardest hitters in the region and is a explosive and true plug in the middle of the defense that can play downhill, shock and shed off blockers and quickly knife into the backfield and provide a pass rush. He shows he is a high motor kid that is seemingly always around the ball and scan scrape well over the top and takes the proper angles in the open field while tracking ball carriers well and covering ground quickly. Nunez should find his home as a true Mike backer in college and has been flying under the radar and is going to be a nice steal here for a next level program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2055059' first='Evan' last='Higgs']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Paradise","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cc0deb7e2fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Higgs is one of the top returners in the entire section and is a powerful and balanced runner with top end speed and is a excellent receiver out of the backfield. He does a good job running behind his pads with natural forward lean and proper pad level while always falling forward and keeping his legs driving through contact. In space, he has cutback abilities, can make tacklers miss with short area twitch and start/stop abilities in a hurry. Overall, a very compact and physical back that looks for contact and is a plus receiver, he should put up big time numbers as a senior and be one of the top players in the Northern Section. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jake Pekarek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"270","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Palos Verdes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cc0deb7e423"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pekarek is a very bendy and athletic interior prospect with some nice upside and plus potential in college. He is quick in and out of his stance, shoots his hands to create immediate vertical push with inside leverage and runs his feet through contact while able to sustain blocks at the first two levels. He shows he can pull across the line to flowing defenders and does a nice job using his leverage and natural bend to get underneath quickly and win with technique and sudden power. Also stable in pass protection with a high IQ and patient hands/body control at the POA, he should start drawing real attention soon and is another sleeper prospect across the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Blake Slone","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"213","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cathedral Catholic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69cc0deb7e53e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Slone is one of the most devastating blockers across all of San Diego and is a violent player that looks for contact and is strong and powerful at the point of attack. He can lineup attached, in the backfield or in the slot and is a high effort guy at all times that moves well for his size and will only continue to develop as a pass catcher and downfield threat. Slone's versatility on offense and athletic abilities along with having the ideal frame/length for the position in college makes him a very intriguing prospect and a key name to watch as offers roll in for him through his senior season for the Dons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
David Branco

David Branco

HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 220
POS RB
CLASS 2027

David Branco

School: Eastlake
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">2027 Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(193,25,32, 0.95) 0%,rgba(193,25,32, 1) 100%)">
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                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/22441575_9c8cd716134a4eb7b75d59e5af2b2b4b-crop-700x460-1774982527.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="2027 Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors"></span>
                
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                    <span class="first-name">2027</span>
                    <span class="last-name">Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors</span>
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Xavier Nunez Xavier Nunez CA

HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 210
POS LB
CLASS 2027

Xavier Nunez Xavier Nunez CA

School: La Serna
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<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">2027 Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(193,25,32, 0.95) 0%,rgba(193,25,32, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/2027-prospect-analysis-offer-now-rising-seniors/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/22441575_9c8cd716134a4eb7b75d59e5af2b2b4b-crop-700x460-1774982527.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="2027 Prospect Analysis: Offer Now Rising Seniors"></span>
                
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Evan Higgs Evan Higgs 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB/LB Paradise | 2027 CA

HEIGHT 5'9"
WEIGHT 185
POS RB
CLASS 2027

Evan Higgs Evan Higgs 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB/LB Paradise | 2027 CA

School: Paradise
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Jake Pekarek

Jake Pekarek

HEIGHT 6'5"
WEIGHT 270
POS OL
CLASS 2027

Jake Pekarek

School: Palos Verdes
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Blake Slone

Blake Slone

HEIGHT 6'5"
WEIGHT 213
POS TE
CLASS 2027

Blake Slone

School: Cathedral Catholic
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