Unranked and Underrated: Class of ‘27

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season is off and running, as Week 1 has come and gone. Several teams across the state came out on fire, and I'm not talking about the extreme heat from Friday evening. Months of preparation had players looking in mid-season form.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With prospects back in action, the search for unranked talent was on over Labor Day weekend. As I was staying up-to-date and reviewing film from Week 1, these five unranked seniors caught my eye. Here's a breakdown of their performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2381972,"_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-6a9f7468aa3fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After helping lead Bishop Miege to a state title appearance in 2025, [player_tooltip player_id='2381972' first='Landon' last='Cole'] picked up right where he left from his junior year. The senior quarterback accounted for three total touchdowns in Miege's big win over Blue Valley West. He's a well rounded athlete that recruiters need to take a look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2381979,"_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-6a9f7468aa454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This next prospect also hails from the <em>EKL</em>, and he's a defender that's looking to give opposing offenses lots of headaches this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2381979' first='Deacon' last='Barber'] made his presence felt off the edge in Blue Valley's lopsided win over crosstown rival Blue Valley Northwest. In just three quarters of play he produced multiple pressures and QB hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2071638"],"_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-6a9f7468aa512"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Class of ‘27 continues to showcase its depth at offensive line as another prospect has emerged. Mclaurin was impressive in the trenches for Junction City during Week 1. He held down the blindside in pass protection, and was a force in the run game. The Junction City product could gain quite a bit of interest throughout this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2351286"],"_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-6a9f766edf935"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Specialists need a shoutout every now and then too. Especially after the night this prospect had in Week 1. [player_tooltip player_id='2351286' first='Kenny' last='Diaz'] of Chaparal had a flawless performance to kick off his senior season. He connected on 5 of 5 PAT's and was 2 of 2 on FG attempts, with both FG's being 30 or more yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2381986,"_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-6a9f766edf988"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In Week 1, Andover's defense managed to smother Hutchinson's offense throughout most of their matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='2381986' first='Nashaad' last='Williams'] played a key role in Andover's dominating defensive performance. Williams manned the middle of the defense and was covering sideline-to-sideline all night. He's also capable of being a bruising fullback as well.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->