Oregon 2027 rankings: Nemec’s outliers 31-150

Prep Redzone recently released its updated rankings for the top 200 prospects in the state of Oregon in the class of 2027.   When a list like that comes together, Jordan Johnson and I both dive into the class and try to come up with the most accurate list based on college upside - not high school production.   On any list, there's also compromise, and that means each of us have players we like.   Here are my outlier prospects who I think still have a chance to rise up the board one final time before the 2027 class reaches Signing Day.   33. LB [player_tooltip player_id='936846' first='Leonardo' last='Correani'], Lincoln — The only knock on Correani is his size.    He's listed at 5-foot-11, 225 pounds in an era that asks linebackers to be versatile as tacklers and cover guys who can handle big-bodied tight ends.   Perhaps for that reason, Correani's recruitment hasn't soared.   But he led the state in tackles last fall and is so cerebral he can change the defensive call for his team based on what he sees on the field.'   He has override ability over his coach if he sees something in the alignment.   That kind of trust from a coaching staff means Correani is an absolute game-changer.   Maybe he won't rise to the level of Division I prospect, but he may be a guy who is a multi-time all-league performer at the lower levels.   He plays the right way and I think he's got a bright future.    36. CB Tyson Donnerberg, West Linn — So much is made of West Linn wide receiver/cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'], and rightly so, that sometimes Donnerberg doesn't get his due.   He is also a two-way standout, coming off a season in which he was honorable mention all-league at wide receiver.   But there's a sense a breakout is on the horizon.   I was hoping to see him in person at a Prep Redzone event, but a change of plans at the last minute meant I didn't get to see him in person this offseason.   I keep hearing the leap is being made.   I'll trust in that, and expect to see a big season for the Lions.   39. DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='937115' first='Jaxon' last='Lee'], Tigard — Tigard's [player_tooltip player_id='937115' first='Jaxon' last='Lee'] is one of my favorite stories of the offseason.   He was a relative unknown to me prior to his performance at a Prep Redzone Exposure camp that really impressed me.   I told him to attend The Northwest Showcase as a defensive back - I believe it was already his plan,   At the mega-camp, Lee was aggressive getting reps and took on all competition.   He walked away with a positional MVP and heavy interest from multiple programs.   Sometimes even after a junior season doesn't go as expected, athletes can still pop by showing out at events and getting the right people's attention.   Lee did a great job at a PRZ event, turned that into a NW Showcase MVP and then picked up multiple offers.   That's how you change the momentum of your recruitment.   The 6-foot-3, 200-pound defensive back is one of the big winners of the offseason in Oregon.    43. OL [player_tooltip player_id='1358907' first='Alex' last='Lydgate'], Lincoln — Lydgate has a very unique path to the offensive line, one that has me intrigued about his potential to blossom in college.   Growing up, the Lincoln star was actually a gymnast, but had to stop as he grew to, well, football player size.   Lydgate transitioned to offensive line and has an intriguing blend of balance and size (6-4, 275).   He remains a raw prospect, but the rare athletic background has me wondering if a Division I school will offer him as a preferred walk-on, betting on the traits.    He's a player I'll be watching to see if he pops at the next level with more time to add strength and technique.    44. DB [player_tooltip player_id='2241825' first='Derek' last='Earl'], Willamette — The Eastern Washington commit flashed on his Hudl tape, but played for a struggling program in a weaker-than-average conference.    Now, he's at Willamette and will be a cornerstone for one of the best defensive backfields in the entire state.   Earl will be tasked with making some big plays in big moments this year, and I couldn't be more excited to see how he responds to playing meaningful snaps late in the year.    An all-state showing is not out of the question.    59. ATH [player_tooltip player_id='937113' first='Shane' last='Peters'], West Linn — Peters was having an absolutely stellar junior season before it was cut short due to injury.   Still, he earned all-league and all-state honors after just five games played.    Fully healed, he should be one of the best players in the state this fall.   82. OL/DL Brock Sahlfield, Glencoe — A workout warrior and wrestler, Sahlfield returns for a senior season after finishing last year as a first-team all-state offensive lineman and honorable mention all-state defensive lineman.   He could - with a leap forward on defense - be a two-way first-teamer this year, placing him in rarified air.   Sahlfield looks like he's made a ton of progress and he's one of the more fascinating two-way players in the state.    Franky, he just doesn't get enough love.    66. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1125493' first='Reece' last='Ballew'], Mountainside — Ballew flashed plenty of potential as a sophomore, but missed his junior year with an injury.   I've seen him multiple times on the camp circuit this offseason and he has continued to be one of the most impressive backs on the field regardless of the size of the camp.   The 5-foot-9, 175-pound athlete ran a 10.76 100 this spring in track season, putting a number to what we see in camp: Ballew is a speedster and a potential nightmare for defenses.   He could deliver a 2,000-yard season in the Metro League and will be a must-see player with all-state upside.    71. DB/ATH Mason Fredrickson, Sandy — Frederickson has been an all-league-caliber performer since he first stepped on the field at Sandy.   This fall, he'll have a chance to become a three-time first-team all-league performer as a defensive back, which is an impressive accomplishment,   Frederickson has also grown and added weight since last fall, so there's belief he may make the leap into all-state territory.   Fredrickson always plays the right way and is one of the most under-appreciated athletes in the entire state.   He deserves a lot more love.   72. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1257695' first='Emmit' last='Distefano'], Thurston — Distefano attended a loaded Prep Redzone camp in which several of the state's best quarterbacks were competing.   He walked away with a hard-fought QB MVP award, which really put him on the radar for me as a must-see passer this fall.   Since then, he has picked up some small schools offers.   A monster senior campaign could be on the horizon.   87. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'], Willamette — Zuzi will share running back responsibilities with up-and-coming star [player_tooltip player_id='2127746' first='Jonny' last='Jenkins'] at Willamette, so it's possible the raw rushing numbers don't blow people away.   But make no mistake, he will be half of arguably the state's best 1-2 punch this fall.   Zuzi has forced into action a little early last year due to injury and delivered.   What will he do with a full year to prepare for the workload? It should be fun to watch!    104. OL [player_tooltip player_id='2054690' first='Grady' last='Hall'], West Linn — A returning first-team all-league interior lineman, Hall has a very good chance to be a first-team all-state selection this fall.   He's not the biggest offensive line recruit, which has probably knocked his stock considerably.   But there aren't five offensive linemen in the state I'd rather have on Friday night.   Hall is a tone-setter and leader of one of the state's best O-lines.   140. DL [player_tooltip player_id='2054695' first='Liam' last='Carmichael'], Lake Oswego — Carmichael was a second-team all-league selection as part of an absolutely loaded Lake Oswego state championship roster.   This year, he will take on more of a leadership role, and it would surprise me if he's not a breakout performer for the Lakers.   Carmichael could make a big leap.    149. Marian McCowan, Roosevelt — McCowan plays in a tough-to-get-recognized conference, but stood out in a big way at a camp I attended.   He also drew praise from camp counselors, some of whom were small college coaches.    That alone was enough to put him on my radar.   I'm eager to see what he has in store for his senior campaign.

Prep Redzone recently released its updated rankings for the top 200 prospects in the state of Oregon in the class of 2027.