PRZ Next Southeast Camp: 2027/2028 Running Back Preview
Prep Redzone Next is holding the first of three, one-day showcases this upcoming Sunday, April 2nd, at Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, Ga. The camp is designed for middle school athletes to compete in combine testing, individual position work and competitive one on work. The camp sold out in just 12 days, and athletes from 11 different states are slated to come out and compete at the event.
Here's a preview of the class of 2027 and 2028 athletes who are registered to play Running Back.
Mississippi's Mikel Stephen is a 2027 prospect that should impress right away. Standing 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Stephen is a standout for Hartfield Academy and has been blowing up this off-season. Has already been invited to NextGen's "The Show" in Atlanta in June and was selected to the Under Armour 8th Grade Futures Game in January.
Another intriguing 2027 prospect making the trip to Atlanta, will be Alabama's Aaron Robinson. The 5-foot-5, 140-pound back ran for 956 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season for Clay-Chalkville Middle School. Doesn't wow with size right now, but he is quick and knows what to do with the ball in his hands.
South Carolina will again be represented at the running back position well. Hillcrest Middle School's Michael Martin II certainly looks the part on film. Martin II has a very distinct running style which allows him to always be moving and falling forward. He also has a great ability to make people move with quick, sharp cuts. Tallied over 1,000 all purpose yards this past season. Jakayden Pendergrass is another one to look out for here. Just a seventh-grader at 5-foot-7 and 135 pounds look for him to be very talented catching shorter passes during one-on-one's. He bounces back and forth from running back to slot and should have an advantage there. Rounding out the 2027 South Carolina backs, Jasier Teasley is listed at just 5-foot-3 and 110 pounds, but he plays significantly bigger than that. He gets to full speed quickly and has show the ability to lower the shoulder if need be. I expect him to test well for being just a seventh-grader.
Once again, the home state of Georgia will have some of its younger talent on display with some standouts in the class of 2027. Leading the way will be Brayden Stoker. An extremely talented three-sport athlete, he'll be taking a break from wrestling and baseball to come shine back on the football field. He's a chiseled 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. The Gordon Lee Middle School product is going next level in some sport, time will tell which one it is.
I dislike saying "under the radar" when discussing middle school football prospects, but Paul Wilson and Triston Hughley are a pair of 2027 backs that somewhat fit that description. Wilson is a 5-foot-5 and 131 pounder from Central Middle School, while Hughley is a bigger back at 5-foot-9 and 144 pounds that attends Richard's Middle School. Hughley is an intriguing prospect who already has some significant size and ability. It will be exciting to see what he does.
Wrapping up this look at the younger guys, a pair of sixth-graders (class of 2028) will be stepping up to the challenge at the showcase. Brayden Wallace from Arkansas isn't built like your average sixth grader. At nearly 5-foot-4 and 150 pounds, he appears to be carved out of stone and is also a competitive swimmer. Tripp Chatmon, the other sixth-grade back in attendance is going to be a fun one to watch. Only 5-foot and some change, and 120 pounds, he's a quick, scat back that can run to daylight with his track speed. He, like Wallace, also has a good build despite being so young. It will be great to see them perform against athletes a few years older.
