Al Pops’ Prospect Evaluations – 10/10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interested in reading this and more? Use the code&nbsp;<strong>AlPops30</strong>&nbsp;for 30% off a&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/?brand=next">Prep Redzone Next Subscription</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into a new season of youth and middle school football around the country, below is a look at some class of 2027 prospects (athletes beginning their eighth-grade school year) that have come across my desk. As football recruiting and evaluating continues to change, the eighth-grade season is becoming a pivotal time for young athletes to garner early attention from Universities. Here's a look at some prospects that are on the trajectory to be playing a high level of football for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63443d2362555","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["469426"],"_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_0_evaluation":"In my opinion, as of this moment, Bryant is the top dual-threat Quarterback I have seen thus far in the class of 2027. At 5-foot-11 and 155-pounds he has a skill set that is unmatched right now in the country. At times in his film, he looks like an adult playing a game of keep away with toddlersu002du002dthe difference is that vast. Also one of the most elite basketball players in the country as a Point Guard, what he does in-game in both sports is nothing short of incredible. Has a strong arm that he can unleash in any circumstances. Makes a lot of very smart plays and serves as an extension of the coaching staff on the field. His running ability is unlike anything I've seen from a middle school prospect at the position. Possesses the start and stop agility, along with the vision of a Running Back. Has the acceleration and breakaway speed of a Wide Receiver. Gifted enough to wait until the final moments to evade would-be tacklers. Special is the only way I can describe him. I'd offer him a scholarship tomorrow, if I had the power to do so.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63443e4462557","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471563"],"_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_0_evaluation":"One of the more enjoyable parts of my job is finding prospects across the country who do not look like they're as young as they really are. In the case of Reed (who is also the cover photo) he looks like he could pass for a 20-something year old man, complete with the hair and mustache to boot. In addition to his physical looks, he's also a country-strong kid out of Robertsdale, Alabama that already stands 6-foot-2 and 280-solid-pounds. Robertsdale is just 45-minutes from Pensacola and the Florida Panhandle. He's a very good run blocker that has little problem pulling or climbing the ladder to the next level. Also a talented baseball player, he's not just a big body...he can actually move. Plays Left Tackle right now on a team that looks downright massive across the front. With his size and ability, I can see him playing any position across the offensive front.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63443e5f62558","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["447439"],"_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_0_evaluation":"If you play for the 757 Colts youth program, there's a good chance offers will come your way early. Like the powerhouse high school programs of the DMV, coaches know checking in the Colts for who's coming up next is a must. 2027 Quarterback/Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='447439' first='Matt' last='Williams'] is the latest example of that, as the current eighth-grader has already picked up offers from Jackson State and Maryland. The 6-foot, 150-pounder is a dual-threat kid, who is very exciting to watch. Does an advanced job of meshing the RPO. Operates almost entirely out of shotgun and looks comfortable keeping it himself or tossing it to one of his playmakers. Once of the private schools in Maryland/Virginia are going to get a heck of a young signal caller next year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6344427362559","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["472630"],"_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_0_evaluation":"While we have talked about a pair of dual-threat Quarterbacks in this writeup thus far, Avelar is most of your typical Pro-Style prospect. Already standing 6-foot-1 and 190-pounds, he's a big kid with a crazy strong arm that pushes the ball downfield. All that said, he's certainly no statute. He has played Wide Receiver in the past and has the athletic ability to keep the chains moving with his legs. He plays for the Tucson Scorpions and has a number of talented guys around him that he spreads the ball around to. The younger brother of Ricardo Avelar III, who is currently playing at Dayton, and is a former four-time AZFCA (Arizona Football Coaches Association) All-Arizona selection. The little brother is already the size of his Division 1 older brother and the ceiling is just as high.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634442ac6255a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["469427"],"_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_0_evaluation":"More times than not, my over-flowing inbox is filled with players/parents/coaches sending messages that say u0022yo check me out.u0022 Besides that being somewhat rude, and certainly not the way to get anyone's attention, it also makes finding messages from kids like Thomas a breath of fresh air. Depending on where you look and who you talk to, Thomas is between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot and 140-to-155-pounds. The unverified size aside, his film lets you know everything you need to. He's a dynamic play-maker that is lethal with the rock in his hands. Whether he's playing Running Back, Wide Receiver or taking the direct snap, he has the ability to score at any time from anywhere. The Chapel Hill Middle School prospect is just starting to scratch the surface for how good he can be. Without being a fortune teller, if this kid can tack on height and get to a verified 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-2, he projects to be a player we'll be watching on Saturdays in a few years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634446be6255b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["472668"],"_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_0_evaluation":"I love Offensive Linemen that also play basketball. I make no attempt to hide that fact, as I feel a prospect with considerable size at a pre-high school level, better have good feet or it could get problematic for them as they progress into more advanced levels of football. Eighth-grader [player_tooltip player_id='472668' first='Josiah' last='Wallace'] is a 2027 prospect that checks both boxes. Wallace is a a bigger kid that currently plays Left Tackle for the Naperville Patriots and protects the backside for 2028 Quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='432149' first='Ryder' last='Startz']. While I don't have a verified size for Wallace, he's a taller linemen with long limbs. The potential is there for him to grow into a big time prospect our of Illinois. He's playing 13U this fall and still has a lot of growing/maturing to do.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634449376255c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["469475"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Year in and year out, Archbishop Rummel out of Louisiana turns out next-level prospects. For proof of that, look no further than reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Ja'Marr Chase who dawned the Raiders colors from 2015-2018. While I'm not ready to announce Ash as the next Ja'Marr Chase, the 2027 prospect does look a dang good prospect. At 5-foot-11 and 130-pounds (he looks heavier than that to me) Ash physically looks like he could be something special. He has legs for days and arms that are nearly as long. He can play multiple positions including Wide Receiver and Running Back if asked to, but what he can do as a long Corner or a Free Safety, is what has me fired up. His length completely engulfs Wide Outs at this point and he has the speed to run stride for stride with the best of them. Having watched them both in middle school, Ash looks exactly like how current Alabama Defensive Back Eli Ricks looked, when he was in eighth-grade. Stay tuned.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->