Rankings Roundtable: Which 2027 prospect is the almost certainly five-star?
The nationwide analyst workforce has been out on the highway all offseason checking on high prospects, updating evaluations and discovering new prospects who will stand up the rankings.
Which participant within the 2027 class is almost certainly to finish up as a five-star? Our nationwide analyst workforce – Adam Friedman, John Garcia Jr., Adam Gorney, Greg Smith and Sam Spiegelman – give their takes under.
FRIEDMAN: David Jacobs
There’s a lot to love about Jacobs at this level within the course of. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defensive finish out of Georgia is a power towards the run and holds up nicely on the level of assault. He has sky-high potential as a go rusher however nonetheless must refine his hand methods a bit.
Nonetheless, Jacobs was very productive as a sophomore, posting greater than 100 tackles, 12 sacks and greater than 30 tackles behind the road of scrimmage. He additionally boasts high-end athletic traits, which might be seen on the basketball court docket through the winter.
We simply noticed 5 defensive finish/edge defenders go within the first spherical of the NFL Draft and it is not a stretch to assume Jacobs may turn into that sort of participant.
GARCIA: Mark Matthews
The lengthy and rangy offensive deal with has improved his recreation as a lot as any prospect over the past 12 months or so, making the swap not solely from basketball, however from working primarily as a defensive lineman. He flashed on the finish of St. Thomas’ state title run as a blocker and has blossomed additional this offseason towards stout competitors.
Matthews has a plus wingspan and athleticism, to not point out a body that can carry extra good muscle as he inches nearer to taking part in on Saturdays. His present state, nevertheless, is far additional alongside than one would count on given his lack of expertise. That division will care for itself, however there may be additionally a keen competitiveness that the South Floridian brings to the desk that will assist push his progress that rather more ahead within the years to come back.
Mix all of it, at a premium place just like the blindside protector, and the trajectory factors to a five-star ceiling.
GORNEY: Zyron Forstall
After I see Forstall on tape, I see an Abdul Carter-like participant who’s so versatile within the entrance seven of the protection that he can rip off the sting and beat any offensive deal with or he can overpower folks and run proper by means of them.
What can also be particular concerning the New Orleans (La.) Jesuit defensive finish is that he can rise up and play linebacker – like Carter did in highschool – and blitz like a madman. I really like his body, his depth, his aggressiveness and I do not see any approach Forstall would not find yourself as a five-star with two extra years of highschool soccer left.
SMITH: Trae Taylor
The Nebraska commit has all of the makings of a future five-star quarterback. Standing at 6-3 and 190 kilos already, he’s nonetheless rising into his body and can seemingly be larger when he enters faculty. Taylor sees the sector nicely and processes info shortly to make selections.
The Illinois native has a powerful arm however he may also layer the soccer to make intermediate throws. Barring main regression he’ll find yourself reaching five-star standing.
SPIEGELMAN: Kennedy Brown
Brown is about to be one of many greatest risers within the new Rivals250 for the 2027 class. We consider the versatile offensive lineman can play deal with however we already know he may also slide inside and play a number of positions upfront. He’s extraordinarily robust with wonderful ft, performs nicely with leverage and is a finisher on the level of assault.
After a number of dwell evaluations, Brown has confirmed to be the cream of the crop in a star-studded group of offensive linemen within the 2027 class. We view his upside doubtlessly as one of the best of any we have seen thus far on this rankings cycle.
