Scouting Elon’s 2027 In-State Commits
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Here at Prep Redzone, we seek to cover the entire state of North Carolina, scouting Division III and NAIA prospects the same way we scout Power Four stars. While we primarily operate as a scouting service, we also keep an ear to the ground on the recruiting front.
Whenever we talk about specific colleges, we're typically mentioning offers or potential offers. But I'm also looking at trends on the college side. There's plenty of talent in the Tar Heel State, and traditionally, in-state teams that land the local guys they want have thrived. The Elon Phoenix have five in-state commits. Here, we're giving readers detailed scouting notes on all of them.
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What are the Elon Phoenix Getting in their 2027 Commits?
Elon has recently been selective in high school recruiting, taking just 14 signees in its 2026 class. The Phoenix nailed that class, in my opinion. Of the six in-state signees, three had clear FBS grades from our staff, and the other three were ranked well inside the top 200.
Though both its class and our evaluations are incomplete, Elon's 2027 class is shaping up to be another fantastic haul, with two commits sitting inside our top 100 and three other solid players. Let's break them down.
Editor's Note: I've quite liked this series, and I plan to keep these free to read. Check out our breakdowns of other college classes:
East Carolina
South Carolina
Abanquah's recent weight gain is a microcosm for how he plays and the attitude he brings to the table. We'd had his weight closer to what you'd see from a defensive back than a true Division I college linebacker. He wasn't the biggest guy or the best athlete on a loaded Providence Day team; he still isn't. But he attacks every rep like it's his last.
Abanquah thrives in the weight room, and he's added about 20 pounds to his frame. He should still be the same sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can track down plays from the backside. He's simultaneously patient and extraordinarily aggressive, waiting to make sure he makes the right read, but with the straight-line speed to close in a hurry. He's a fun player to watch, and given his high football I.Q., we'd be surprised if he sits for a while when he gets to Elon.
Highlights
Though he's a true tight end at the next level, Haywood played a lot of receiver for Providence last year. That meant he was often operating in the flats and winning after the catch. He's a true 6'5" with blazing speed for his size and good ball skills, even if he hasn't been asked to make many plays down the field. When he gets those opportunities, he's come up big for the offense with some tough catches in coverage. Though it's not the biggest part of his game, he's a willing blocker who has flashed dominant reps in the running game.
Highlights
Finch really started to blow up on the recruiting trail after a junior season in which he threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. He flashed his dual-threat abilities, too, running for 342 yards and nine touchdowns. That's actually a part of his game I think he'll improve in 2026. At times, he seemed content to prove his arm and willingness to stay in the pocket, even when some running lanes opened. He became more decisive as the season progressed and he settled in as a starter, but his floor is so high, given his advanced passing mechanics and rushing ability, that he could find himself in a college quarterback battle sooner rather than later.
Highlights
Loatman was one of Finch's favorite targets this past season, and pledged to the Phoenix about a month after his quarterback committed. Loatman has the ideal size to be a dominant X receiver. What impressed me about his junior film is that while he has the size and hands to win at the catch point (which he does often), he's just as comfortable with the ball in his hands after the catch. Teams typically play off coverage against the bigger receiver, meaning he often had space to operate underneath, and he made defenses pay.
Highlights
Guy has some positional versatility, but he's at his best where he's currently used most: as a deep safety who can read and react. He has the ideal length and the ball skills (five interceptions) to make a huge impact. He was used some in off-man coverage against speedier receivers, and that's an area of his game I think he'll continue to improve. Given his athletic profile and technique, I think he'd be a nickel candidate at the next level. His versatility should make him an excellent fit on a fast-flowing Elon defense.
Highlights
This state is big, and it's easy to miss something, especially at this time of year. Want to keep us updated on your recruitment? Tag and/or DM me on Twitter/X (@whelms21) to make sure I know what's going on.
