2027 Watchlist-to-Ranked: QBs and WRs

Happy <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/updated-2027-north-carolina-rankings/">Rankings Update</a> from us here at Prep Redzone! We just dropped a massive update to our 2027 class, with over 190 new players and huge movement within the rankings. One of my favorite lists to look at each update is the list of players who moved from the watchlist to the rankings. We had nearly 40 players make this move during this update, and here are the wide receivers and quarterbacks who fit the description.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Watchlist-to-Ranked QBs and WRs</h2>    Furr wasn't a high-volume passer in Forest Hills' run-first offense, but he did flash enough to be on our radar. I got my first in-person look at him at our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prz-exposure-camp-qb-analysis/">Prep Redzone Exposure Camp</a> and came away more impressed with his arm than I expected. The speed, change-of-direction, and overall athleticism are all there, so seeing the arm talent made the decision to push him into the rankings an easy one.     Carpenter was put in some difficult situations against some of the state's top defenses, but his footwork, arm talent, and touch should translate. The lefty just needs to cut down on some of the interceptions. There's some projection here, but he has a repeatable throwing motion and has flashed the arm talent to be a top passer in the state.     Also a standout baseball player, Ehret's volume actually ticked down as a junior, and he didn't hit many leaderboards in our initial postseason sweep. But a deeper dive shows a guy who is clearly developing as a passer. He improved his completion percentage, was more selective with his throws, and dropped his interception rate. That helped Christ the King put together a strong 7-4 season.     I actually debated adding Gillis to the rankings from the watchlist at the midseason point last year, and decided to hold off, knowing he'd make the move if he continued to play well. He completed 60% of his passes last season, and shows nice touch and accuracy on film. For the most part, the pocket passer took care of the ball against a difficult schedule and helped lead the Patriots to an 8-3 record.     Hurst was moved into the rankings on the back end of the site (What we see before we publish our rankings) very early in this cycle after I did a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-5-wrs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dive</a> at the wide receiver position. The two-way athlete nearly made our defensive back rankings, too. He's a long receiver with great ball skills, able to create space and make things happen with the ball in his hands.     Reid didn't have a ton of receiving volume last season, eclipsing the three-catch mark just twice on the season, so it took us a bit longer to get him into the rankings. But we turned on the film and saw a high-level route runner with speed. He was hurt by a balanced, but inconsistent passing attack, and could see his numbers tick up next season in an increased role.    There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2027 rankings over the next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.

Happy Rankings Update from us here at Prep Redzone! We just dropped a massive update to our 2027 class, with over 190 new players and huge movement within the rankings. One of my favorite lists to look at each update is the list of players who moved from the watchlist to the rankings. We had nearly 40 players make this move during this update, and here are the wide receivers and quarterbacks who fit the description.