2027 Rankings Update: Top Prospect Analysis (16-20)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code&nbsp;<strong>PaulG30&nbsp;</strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1506661"],"_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-67b7a944d5bb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitchell checks into our rankings as the top rated running back in the 2027 class and is a very explosive and elusive ball carrier with plenty of varsity experience. He is a natural runner with forward lean, contact balance through the first level and is tough to bring down in open space due to shore area quickness and his ability to make defenders miss in tight windows. He shows a natural burst in the open field on hitting the third gear and will be one of the top rushers across Idaho for the next two seasons. He is without a doubt a college level running back that will only continue to grow and develop for Highland. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939035"],"_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-67b7a944d5c31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tuienei checks into our rankings just inside the top 20 overall and is a true plug and play nose guard that is athletic enough to two-gap and eat up blocks inside. He shows a violent strike and snap out of his hips while able to reset the line and create a vertical push into the backfield immediately. He has a violent shed and quick lockout while very technically sound for his age and still had two years of development. The Meridian standout moves well for his size and is extremely strong at the point of attack and gets underneath blockers while using his leverage to his advantage. He should find his home on the interior defensive line in college and is the name to know heading into the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["938928"],"_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-67b7a944d5c79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Engroff checks into our running back rankings as the number two ball carrier in the state and is coming off a solid sophomore season at the varsity level for Timberline. He is an explosive ball carrier that is a low to the ground and compact runner that shows tremendous contact balance, leg drive, and looks for contact in the hole. He is a true twitchy north and south runner that has good vision in tight windows and cut-back abilities in the open field. He also shows he can catch the ball out of the backfield with a big catch radius and knows how to quickly knife up-field from the flats. He should be in line for a huge Junior season and be one of the states top rushers in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621766"],"_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-67b7a944d5cbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pichardo checks in as the number three running back in the 2027 rankings and is part of a talented room overall across the state. He is a very explosive and patient runner that waits for his blocks to develop and flashes cutback abilities in tight windows. He has good footwork through traffic and a natural forward lean to get the tough yards inside while also able to bounce it outside the tackles when needed. He is still developing as a ball carrier but is a tremendous natural athlete with catching abilities and an explosive burst with some third level speed as well. Pichardo is another candidate to be one of the states top rushers in 2025 for Mountain View. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303763"],"_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-67b7a944d5d01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baxter checks into our rankings as a top-five player at his position and could see himself shooting up our rankings by this time next year and through his Junior season with Varsity experience. He is one of the more explosive players in the 2027 class and is a natural ball carrier that runs violent and has true third level speed with good twitch in the short area. Baxter should have a breakout campaign for Rocky Mountain in 2025, and is a name to note heading into the season and a no-brainer college caliber back who should see his stock rise over the next 12 months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->