2027s Going to Breakout in Their Senior Season

*Grab your Prep Redzone subscription at a 30% discount with code Johnson30*   The time is now for the Class of 2027! 2026 is the last chance to make a name for themselves and show off their traits for next level coaches. There are plenty of incoming seniors who are finally in a position to be able to show off what they can do, and will be given the reps necessary to do so. In today's article we are going to highlight several of those incoming seniors who are going to be leaned on this fall and turn it into plenty of highlights and hopefully plenty of college opportunities. Let's talk about them today so you don't miss out on watching them on Fridays coming soon!    First up, we have a running back out of Waunakee who is going to put up some strong numbers this fall. Eli Drangstveit is a 6' 200 lbs athlete who already put up 800+ rushing yards in 2025. This year it looks like he is going to be in position to handle even more work. You watch his tape from 2025 and you instantly see that he verifies his three down talent. From running decisively and physicality, to catching passes out of the backfield, and then throwing a devastating block. Eli can effect the game in every way that an RB can while also having the size, contact balance, and athleticism necessary to move the ball between the tackles or in space. I'm looking for Eli to break that 1K threshold and in the process earn several more offers. He currently holds an offer from UW- Eau Claire. Check out his tape for a sense of what is to come.      Next up we have a 2027 WR/DB who is looking for his first offer. The Kenosha Tremper athlete brings a big, strong, and physically imposing 6'2" and now 195 lbs frame to the football field. I believe Brock fits the SS role really well. He can be dominant in the box as an extra defender and do a lot of the dirty work of a safety. His hard hitting tackling has also helped him make plays in coverage to create PBUs. The big safety also has tape showing that he can play over the top in coverage, read, and close on the football in time to make plays on the ball. On offense we get a good sense of the smooth athleticism that flashes with his route running. The powerful skill player definitely has the tools to play at the next level. He is looking more like a steal than ever at this point of the offseason.      A QB who I believe is going to end his career with a bang is Appleton West QB Connor Navis. Navis was able to play in 6 games last season before breaking his collarbone. In that time the '27 produced at a great clip. 1500+ yards, 18 TDs, 230+ rushing yards with 3 more TDs, and a 61.3% completion percentage. The incoming senior brings a bigger frame to the field this fall, nearly touching 6'3" and 195 lbs. On tape you see a kid that is technically sound and efficient with all his movements to get the ball out quickly. Also he is able to control his ball placement very well. It is key to know that Connor has put up that passing percentage and 18:3 TD:INT ratio while still pushing the ball downfield. We are going to see him with plenty of weapons around him this fall too. So I'm excited to watch him and his team create fireworks on a weekly basis. The '27 QB holds an offer from UW- Oshkosh.      Nolen is another member of this list who is looking for his first offer, but he is coming into a position on an Indian Trail offense where he should see plenty of work. Nolen has the size you want to see on the outside, and his 28/304/3 stat line as a junior tells me he already had a firm grasp on how to get open. The '27 WR also returns his QB from the 2025 season, and Nolen is the most productive weapon that QB will have returning this fall. So the two should link up for plenty of connections. The early season tape from 2025 shows how smooth, yet explosive Nolen can be while attacking downfield. Get him on your radars, coaches.      An RB who is already looking like a steal is Spencer/Columbus Catholic RB1 Jack Hooper. The 5'11" 208 lbs starting RB is coming off a monster junior year. Jack would go on to put up over 1,800 yards and end the year as one of the leading rushers in the state. So we might not see an actual breakout season, but he is going to continue to make a name for himself. Turn on the tape and you see a stud small school prospect. Jack has such a well rounded game. He is great when it comes to breaking tackles, creating yards after contact, and making something out of nothing. Jack's tape shows that he can go from one play where he runs through several tackles to a play where he hits the hole at top speed and goes 70+ untouched. He can win in a variety of ways. So it is surprising to see that he is waiting for that first offer. But it won't slow him down this fall. The production is going to be there, and I won't be surprised to see all the D3 schools in WI lining up for him. Perhaps the D2 level from outside the state as well.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HoeperJack/status/1989333103299465561 </div></figure>     Next up we head to the backfield for Merrill's unanimous 1st Team All Conference RB Kanin Jahnke. Despite his 879 rushing yards and 4 TDs, the 5'8" 180 lbs RB hasn't earned an offer from the next level, yet. So this fall he is going to have to come out and prove himself once again. Looking back at the junior tape, Kanin is really effective working through traffic between the tackles. He is so shifty and laterally explosive to make defenders miss or have a bad angle to lay a good hit on him. If you don't hit this kid square he is going to bounce off the hit and keep gaining yards. Kanin is a kid who is quicker than he is fast, but he has learned quickly how to turn that into big play opportunities. I can't wait to see what he does while in pursuit of 1,000 rushing yards this fall. Don't miss out, coaches!      Morgan is another athlete on this list looking for his first offer. That is fine for Morgan after he has spent his career backing up the state's former QB1. 2026 is Morgan's time, though. Or at least he will be in a competition for it to be. Morgan is now up to 6'3" 185 lbs, so he is looking the part. On tape you see that he was clearly working hard in his time as backup. The technique is crisp and clean. Everything seems to have a purpose and it leads to him maximizing velocity and pinpoint accuracy on a lot of his attempts. He is also a very quick decision-maker. I'm excited to see how things click for the potential breakout QB.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MorganMert92795/status/2019049641979879555 </div></figure>     We warp up with one last running back from the Class of 2027. McFarland should have not only an explosive offense with the QB and TEs/WR they return, but also a balanced one with the talent that Jayden brings to the backfield. The 5'11" 190 lbs RB ran for just shy of 900 yards in 2025. I will be looking for him to hit 1,000+ this fall as he further verifies his next level traits. On tape it seems like every move he makes has a noticeable amount of power or explosiveness behind it. That really shows up on his jukes and cuts or while running through contact. The RB also has acceleration that jumps off the tape while working through traffic and then hitting holes at top speed. Jayden is a legitimate home run threat with receiving skills as a cherry on top. The '27 RB holds an offer from the reigning National Champs, UW- River Falls.

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