Need to Know Prospects outside the top 400

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I take a look at some of 2027 prospects outside the top 400 in the latest rankings update. These are players that have high ceilings they may not have reached yet, or are limited in the HT/WT size department but are exceptional playmakers for their teams and will be steals for D2/D3 programs this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2241774"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a582949a899b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkanah is a player I got to see live this spring at the National Preps Showcase in May and his size and length immediately stood out. Measuring in at 6'4" and 180lbs+ with nice length. EJ worked out at WR but has played CB for Wheaton as well. I have him listed as an ATH as he can make an impact on either side of the ball and with his frame he could end up possibly playing multiple different spots as he continues to fill out. He's got a nice long stride which he showed off during the National Preps camp. Able to beat DBs over the top and use his length to reach out and grab the pass. He's a rangy player who shows some good aggression on D as well. Still just need to develop his game and get more reps to showcase his overall skill set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elkanah is outside the top 400 prospects in the recent rankings now but could easily see him making a big rise in the future with a good senior year. He's got length and athleticism that is intriguing to colleges as well as being a high academic player, carrying a 4.34 GPA. Look for EJ to have a big year for Wheaton as start getting some looks from high level D2 programs as well as D3 Academics and even some Patriot level schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time at national prep!! had a conversation with coaches; more to come!! <a href="https://x.com/coachreddix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachreddix</a> <a href="https://x.com/NPCoachZim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPCoachZim</a> <a href="https://x.com/tdhald?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tdhald</a> <a href="https://x.com/NPShowcases?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPShowcases</a> <a href="https://t.co/ygmqlERlA7">pic.twitter.com/ygmqlERlA7</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2241774' first='Elkanah' last='Johnson'] (@elkanahjohnson_) <a href="https://x.com/elkanahjohnson_/status/2054323307323818401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2241679"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2250005,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a582949a89e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zephan is a QB I am excited to get eyes on this fall. He is certainly and under the radar prospect and a name to know for the upcoming year. Passing for over 1,700 yards and 19 TDs last season, Zephan is a productive QB and is smart with the ball limiting turnovers and bad balls. He shows wonderful pocket awareness and gets the ball out quick. Shows good vision of the field with his reads and throws with timing, anticipation and good accuracy. Zephan is able to put the ball where his WRs need it to catch in stride and take it to the house. He is also a capable runner, rushing for 380 yds last fall. Able to move the pocket and scramble for yardage when needed. I would like to see him to get stronger overall both in his frame and arm strength however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though he is already holding two D2 offers from Central State and Lincoln U, Zephan is a player on the rise. I may have even had him too low in these recent rankings, he is an intriguing prospect going forward and should have an excellent senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">QB [player_tooltip player_id='2241679' first='Zephan' last='Pittman'] <br>C/O 27<br>77-119 1,728 19TDS 5InT <br>62% Comp Pct <br>51 Rushes 380 2TDS<br>PHELPS HIGH SCHOOL <br>Washington DC <br>2.97 GPA<br>6'1 170<br>2nd Team All-League <br>NCAA ID# 2411460992<a href="https://t.co/Q1NnBrcoSW">https://t.co/Q1NnBrcoSW</a> <a href="https://t.co/Na2uw9t6UT">pic.twitter.com/Na2uw9t6UT</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2241679' first='Zephan' last='Pittman'] (@ZiggyPittman3) <a href="https://x.com/ZiggyPittman3/status/1994842217056514098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2241918"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2250040,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a582949a8a0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lamine is an intriguing prospect due to his excellent size and frame. He ranks outside the top 400 now but if he develops and reaches hit potential senior year he could sky rocket up the board. At 6'5" 230lbs he has the length and body type that colleges look. He has played both DE and OT but I think his home at the next level will be at OT. Lamine plays with agile choppy feet and gets good leverage at the POA when blocking. He using his length well to extend and drive defenders back. A player with a very high ceiling, he just needs to develop his game more and continue to bulk up. Lamine has garnered some interest from Howard Univ. already and I think he could be a steal for a D2 program that will develop him further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior year highlight tape <a href="https://t.co/SWGv13psad">https://t.co/SWGv13psad</a></p>&mdash; Lamine Djermakoye (@Lamine7917) <a href="https://x.com/Lamine7917/status/1989308953667211348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["945191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2250103,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a582949a8a33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">De'Andre is a wrecking ball of a defensive player causing havoc from multiple spots on the field. He plays both ILB and DL and I think he will be best as an interior pass rusher at the next level. Quick off the snap, De'Andre can slip and shoot past blockers. Shows a good motor, active hands and tenacious motor. He is truly a powerful Interior rush DL. A strong tackler as well, he comes with force and hits through the ball carrier. His size is a limiting factor however but he produces on the field. If De'Andre was a 6'1-2" DT he would easily be a n FCS offer DL in my mind. He already holds one D2 offer from WV Wesleyan. I think he can be a steal for a high level D2 program and De'Andre brings it every play on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After a great conversation with Coach Francis, I am truly blessed and honored to receive an offer from West Virginia Wesleyan University! Thank you to the entire coaching staff for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I appreciate your time, trust, and support. Looking… <a href="https://t.co/8h0Cldj3ez">pic.twitter.com/8h0Cldj3ez</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='945191' first='De'Andre' last='Blakeney'] (@deandre57_) <a href="https://x.com/deandre57_/status/2072498969167454292?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2159008"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a582949a8a55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evan is a must name to know for this upcoming season as he is a key member of a deep Boonsboro squad looking to make some noise this fall. An edge defender that consistently causes issues in the backfield for offenses. He had 9 sacks and 10 TFLs as a junior and those number should continue in his senior season. A nice overall athlete, Evan is a multi-sport athlete playing baseball, basketball and wrestling as well. He brings that versatile skill set to the field and Evan plays with fluid hips and active feet. He has an endless motor, fighting through contact and showing active hands to get of blocks. Evan shows good instincts from the DE spot. Able to keep QBs &amp; RBs in front of him, holding the edge and getting his hands up often for knockdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Evan may be out of the top 400 in the rankings right now, he is one of the top 2027 prospects in Western MD. He will be a player that catches the eyes of many D2 programs with good senior film, and already holds multiple D3 roster spot offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">End of Year final banquet.<br><br>Defensive Lineman of the Year (In House)<br>75 Tackles<br>9 Sacks (Team High)<br>10 TFL's<br>24 QB Hurries (Team High)<br>All Region<br>All WCAA<br>All WCAA Coaches<br>All Herald Mail<br>State Semi Finalist<br><br>Looking forward to Senior Year<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/RecruittheBoro?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RecruittheBoro</a><a href="https://t.co/accHOFBUTg">https://t.co/accHOFBUTg</a> <a href="https://t.co/zvE8Yolc6K">pic.twitter.com/zvE8Yolc6K</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2159008' first='Evan' last='Tall'] (@evan_tall1) <a href="https://x.com/evan_tall1/status/2028952252937867659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2242303"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2250120,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a582949a8a76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chris is a dynamic playmaker for DMA. Getting it done across all 3 phases of the game but best as a slot WR. He's got nice speed with a recorded 11.1 100M and shows quick burst &amp; acceleration on the field to go with that speed. Chris shows quick feet both in his route running and after the catch in open field. He can stick &amp; go and is true offensive weapon in open field. Capable of making defenders miss in space and finding space to run away from defenders. Chris is a threat to take it to the house very time he touches the ball. Overall Chris is an explosive playmaking machine that will be a challenge for defenses to stop this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Already holding offers from Ursinus and Allegheny, I expect Chris to catch the eyes of D2 schools that use a gadget slot big play WR in their scheme. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://x.com/KUBearsFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUBearsFootball</a> for having me at camp today! I ran a 4.50 flat 40 and a 9'8” Broad Jump. <a href="https://x.com/CoachQuarterman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachQuarterman</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachMignanelli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachMignanelli</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachcarre?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachcarre</a> <a href="https://x.com/elite360recruit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elite360recruit</a> <a href="https://x.com/SpeedStrengthA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeedStrengthA</a> <a href="https://t.co/0gxvw718VH">pic.twitter.com/0gxvw718VH</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2242303' first='Chris' last='Keller'] (@C_Kell4) <a href="https://x.com/C_Kell4/status/2073831026506305970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->