It is a weird time to be a scout. Honestly, the class of 2027 football rankings are currently a mix of "he's definitely a pro" and "wait, has he hit his growth spurt yet?" We are looking at kids who are barely old enough to drive, yet they have college coaches from the SEC and Big Ten blowing up their phones like they’re already Heisman finalists. It’s wild.
If you’ve been following the recruiting boards on 247Sports or Rivals lately, you know the names at the top are starting to solidify. But here is the thing: early rankings are basically a guess wrapped in a projection. A lot of people see a "No. 1" next to a name and assume it's set in stone. It isn't.
The Big Names Dominating the Class of 2027 Football Rankings
Right now, the conversation starts and ends with DJ Jacobs. The edge rusher out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia, is a monster. He’s 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, and moves like a safety.
Ohio State fans are already celebrating because Jacobs just committed to the Buckeyes in a move that shocked a lot of people who thought he was a lock for Miami or Georgia. He’s the kind of player who ruins a game plan before the first quarter is even over. If he holds onto that top spot, he’ll be the first defensive end to do it since 2019.
Then you have Elijah Haven.
Haven is a quarterback at The Dunham School in Louisiana, and he is essentially a video game character. He’s 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, and accounted for over 4,000 yards and 56 touchdowns as a sophomore. People call him a "unicorn" because you just don't see kids that size with that much touch on the ball.
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The Trenches and the Perimeter
It isn't just about the guys scoring touchdowns. This class is actually loaded with massive offensive linemen and shutdown corners.
- Mark Matthews: A 6-foot-6, 300-pound tackle from St. Thomas Aquinas. He’s basically a brick wall with feet.
- John Meredith III: A cornerback out of North Crowley in Texas who just dropped a top 11 list that has USC fans sweating.
- Joshua Dobson: He’s a five-star corner who recently moved from South Carolina to William Amos Hough in North Carolina. He runs a 10.78 in the 100m. That is elite speed for a junior.
Why These Rankings Shift So Fast
You've got to remember that these kids are 16 or 17 years old.
One summer at a camp can change everything. A kid might grow two inches or shave two-tenths off his 40-yard dash, and suddenly he jumps fifty spots. Look at a guy like Kemon Spell. He’s a running back from McKeesport who was committed to Penn State before opening things back up. He’s "rocked up" as the scouts say—built like a tank but with the burst of a sprinter.
The regional talent is also shifting. Usually, Florida and Texas own the top ten. But this year, we’re seeing guys like Monshun Sales (Indiana) and Jamier Brown (Ohio) prove that the Midwest is producing elite wide receiver talent that can compete with anyone in the South.
What the Experts are Actually Looking For
Scouts aren't just looking at highlights. Anyone can look good on a Hudl tape with the right music.
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They are looking at "traits."
Can a kid bend his knees? Does he have a 6-foot-10 wingspan? When Andrew Ivins from 247Sports talks about DJ Jacobs, he mentions he’s a "cast-iron edge defender." That’s scout-speak for "this kid is physically stronger than everyone else on the field."
There's also the "bloodline" factor. You’ve probably noticed names like Gunner Rivers (Philip Rivers' son) and Colton Nussmeier (Garrett’s brother) popping up. While they have the name recognition, they still have to produce. Gunner is a 6-foot-3.5 quarterback out of Alabama who is already showing that same competitive fire his dad had in the NFL.
The Commitment Chaos
We are seeing kids commit earlier than ever. Brady Edmunds, a top-tier QB from California, is already pledged to Ohio State. Easton Royal, a playmaker from Louisiana, is another early bird.
But a commitment in 2026 for a 2027 kid? It’s basically a "placeholder."
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NIL has changed the game so much that "loyalty" is a flexible concept. Schools are essentially re-recruiting their own commits every single month to make sure they don't flip to a rival. It’s exhausting for the coaches, and honestly, it’s a lot for the kids too.
Actionable Steps for Following the Cycle
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the class of 2027 football rankings, don't just stare at the national top 100.
Watch the multi-sport athletes. Guys who also excel in track or wrestling usually have the highest ceilings because it shows raw athleticism and discipline.
Follow the "Industry Rankings." Sites like On3 aggregate data from everywhere, which gives you a more balanced view than just looking at one source.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal—for high schools. It sounds crazy, but top recruits like Joshua Dobson are moving states to play against better competition. If a kid moves to a powerhouse like IMG Academy or St. Frances Academy, his ranking is probably about to skyrocket because he's going to be seen by every major scout in the country.
The 2027 cycle is just getting started. By the time these kids actually sign their National Letters of Intent, the list will look completely different. But for now, these are the names you need to know if you want to sound like the smartest person at the tailgate.
Next steps for you:
Start by looking up the local rankings for your specific state. National lists are great, but the real "steals" usually hide in the state-level top 20 before they explode on the national scene during their senior year.