Phenom 50 2027: Arizona Republic's top incoming high school freshman football prospects
With so many incoming Arizona high school freshman football players already picking up Power 5 offers, The Republic is going to look at the best 50 players coming into high school this summer and fall. This 2027 class is absolutely loaded. Some may be under the Friday night lights. Some might even make sudden varsity impacts. Some might be in freshman or JV ball to start journeys destined for greatness.
This is the start of high school development. And it's a crap shoot on how far they make it. Some might peak early, others blossom late.
Like the Republic's Big 150 2024, Top 100 2025 and Fab 50 2026, we'll roll out 10 players at a time, each week until it finishes at 50. Call it the Phenom 50 for the 2027 class. High school coaches, who are working with them the most, provided input on these young stars in the making.
The Republic's Phenom 50 2027
1. Judah Lancaster, Tolleson, TE/DE, 6-4, 195
He lists himself as a tight end on his Twitter handle. But Lancaster can stretch the field vertically with his ability to go deep and make big catches. He could become the next Duce Robinson at the position. That's if he doesn't turn it on as an edge rusher on defense. He easily passes the eye test and that is one reason Arizona State and Northern Arizona already have offered him. Tolleson will have a good trio of young receivers in the state with Rico Blassingame and Hamisi Juma, both 2026 players.
2. Noah Roberts, Chandler Basha, RB, 5-11, 175
He picked up ASU and NAU offers, playing well in their camps. It's rare for a freshman running back to make a big varsity splash, especially playing in the toughest region in the state in 6A Premier. But coach Chris McDonald may have to call on him. He's never been afraid to put freshmen in the fire before. You've seen what quarterback Demond Williams Jr., has become.
3. Jake Hildebrand, Basha, OL, 6-6, 285
He's already a man-child with that size and strength. He could fit right into the starting lineup on varsity as a freshman the way James Durand did, starting four years for the Bears and now is starting to get ready for his college career at Wisconsin. Comes from the same mold of great work ethic combined with God-given skills. Hildebrand picked up an offer from ASU.
4. Braylon Kasper, Gilbert Williams Field, WR, 5-11, 160
He already has pulled in offers from ASU and Oregon. His brother, Kyler, plays at Oregon. He also starred at Williams Field. Braylon is built similarly to his brother and has all the skills to dominate before he's done with high school. But he's just starting out. And watch him make an impact right away.
5. Richie Dexter, Chandler Hamilton, TE, 6-6, 280
Yes, he's a giant as a freshman. He also has great hands to go with Power 5 size already. Let's see how he does under the glare of Friday night lights.
6. Kael Snyder, Gilbert Perry, QB, 6-2, 180
Is there another incoming freshman quarterback with his size? He looks ready to lead varsity football now. But coach Joseph Ortiz won't have to rush him. His potential is off the charts. His father is Adam Snyder, who played offensive guard for the San Francisco 49ers and had a short stint with the Arizona Cardinals. Kael has a great arm and a high football IQ.
7. Jai Jones, Tempe Corona del Sol, WR, 6-0, 160
He will play varsity as a freshman. He's ready now. One of the most talented young receivers that coach Jake Barro has seen. Already has offers from ASU, NAU and Colorado State.
8. Zerek Sidney, Goodyear Desert Edge, WR, 6-0, 160
Will be interesting to see how the Carter brothers use him this season on varsity. He has an offer from Arizona. Electric player. Runs great routes, has elite wide receiver speed and makes tough catches. The Scorpions are loaded at receiver. He fits right in.
9. Talan Scott, American Leadership Queen Creek, H-back, OLB, 6-2, 180
This kid has all the potential to be a future Power 5 player. He's got good size now, and is smart and tough, strong and fast.
10. Kristian Escobedo, Tolleson, QB, 5-7, 145
He's ready to lead the varsity now. Might be one of the smallest starting quarterbacks in 6A, but coach Rich Wellbrock isn't hesitating to hand the keys to the offense to this confident, smart kid, who will find a way to make plays.
11. Anitoni Tahi, Basha, OL/DL, 6-1, 300
He has a chance to play varsity this year, not only because there's a need but because he's that good. He's powerfully built, with great feel and acceleration. Already built for Friday nights. Quarterbacks will get to know him.
12. Donovan McNabb Jr., Phoenix Brophy Prep, WR/DB, 6-0, 170
Son of former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, he'll make a name for himself playing a different position, at wide receiver or defensive back. He's the real deal and schools may find out sooner than later as he looks ready for varsity.
13. Ben Lowther, Peoria Centennial, OT, 6-6, 280
He is the younger brother of senior offensive lineman Tom Lowther. They could anchor the offensive line together this year. Ben's strength has really developed over the summer and he is familiar with how things are done at Centennial with his older brother being in the program.
14. Tyler Overstreet, Scottsdale Saguaro, TE/LB, 6-2, 165
He is a talented tight end and linebacker, a versatile athlete who developed in a great youth football program, which will give him a head start in his high school career.
15. Jase Wilson, Phoenix Horizon, RB/S, 5-9, 165
He's projected to be an impact varsity player on both sides of the ball in his future varsity career. Tough and quick. Coach Andy Litten is excited about him.
16. Dylan Linder, Hamilton, LB/DE, 6-0, 180
Big, strong and talented, he possesses the qualities, the work ethic, and the determination to end up one of the best defenders Hamilton has had.
17. Tristen Williams, Chandler, RB, 5-10, 160
With elite vision and track speed, he could be next in line of great Chandler running backs.
18. Mekhi Hodge, Laveen Cesar Chavez, DE/TE, 6-0, 175
Long, fast and athletic, he's extremely physical at the point of attack and has great hands.
19. Luke Franklin, Centennial, DE/TE, 6-1, 210
Great football bloodlines. His father Aaron starred as a linebacker at Peoria High. His brother Jacob graduated in 2018 from Centennial with two state championship rings. Luke has size, speed and bend that will make him a next-level player. He's been tearing it up in June.
20. Keegan Pederson, Corona del Sol, WR, 5-6, 130
He's small but growing and could be as good as Ricky Pearsall was at Corona by the time Pederson is a senior. Works with former NFL wide receiver Jaelen Strong.
21. Cam Allen, Phoenix Central, QB, 5-10 160
He is the brother of former Central standout receiver Carter Allen and son of Central offensive coordinator Mat Allen. He will be QB1 on varsity starting the season opener. He's got all the abilities to light it up on Friday nights this soon.
22. Nate Olmos, Centennial, Athlete, 5-10, 150
Will primarily play slot receiver and cornerback and return kicks. There will be packages in the offense where he plays quarterback. Can punt and kick, if needed. All-around great athlete and game changer.
23. Braxton Huygn, Peoria Liberty, QB, 5-10, 155
He may be ready by next season to take the torch from quarterback Navi Bruzon and lead the Lions on Friday nights He was one of the best eighth-grade quarterbacks in the state last year.
24. Will Mencil, Saguaro, QB, 6-2, 175
He has a chance to be special. He'll start out on the lower levels and develop. He moved in from Florida. Huge upside and tremendous potential.
25. Sean Roebuck, Marana, Athlete, 5-9, 150
Brother of Marana wide receiver/defensive back Dezmen Roebuck, who will be a junior and one of the state's top football athletes. In the same mold as his brother. Fast, talented and can play anywhere on the field, along with QB. Aggressive on defense, runs precise routes on offense.x
26. Jaden Baldwin, Basha, WR, 6-0, 155
He played varsity 7s in June for the Bears, holding his own. Explosive playmaker. His father Rey Baldwin played in the NFL.
27. Jake Rogers, Tucson Salpointe Catholic, QB, 5-10, 150
Son of head coach Eric Rogers, he led a 13U youth team to a national championship game a couple of years ago. He'll eventually leave his imprint at Salpointe in football.
28. Mason Penrod, Phoenix Camelback, QB, 6-2, 190
He'll be backing up Rocco Mortensen (Southern Virginia offer) on varsity. Work ethic beyond his years. A team leader. Was a three-sport athlete as an eighth grader.
29. Anttwon Talton, Cesar Chavez, WR/DB, 5-8, 135
Maybe the fastest incoming freshman at the school. He can run every route and blow the top off coverages with his speed. Has a great nose for the ball on defense. Great make-up speed in order to break up a pass or make a tackle.
30. Alexander McRae, ALA Queen Creek, QB/Athlete, 6-1, 180
Good runner and thrower, very athletic, and can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball.
31. Brodie Moore, Brophy Prep, QB, 5-10, 160
His youth credentials are off the charts. Will have a chance to make it big in the coming years at Brophy Prep. Good arm. Works with QB coaching guru Mike Giovando, who believes he's got the makings of making it big.
32. Shane Reiersgaard, Brophy Prep, OT, 6-2, 220
Good size already and growing. Could wind up being special before he graduates. Lots of talent.
33. Braxton Firestone, Basha, OL, 6-3, 250
Physical, smart and athletic, he's got the potential to be a Power 5 college offensive lineman. Work ethic is there to continue to develop.
34. David Rushing, Salpointe Catholic, WR/S, 5-11, 140
He's the brother of No. 1 2024 recruit Elijah Rushing, 6-6, 250 edge rusher, who committed to Arizona. David has a 73-inch wingspan. He'll continue to grow and could end up in another position. But he's got great potential at wide receiver or safety.
35. Ryder Noche, Brophy Prep, CB, 5-7, 160
He's been one of the top youth players in the state for several years. Has shown great leadership abilities for an incoming freshman this summer.
36. Tyvous Spence, Cesar Chavez, QB/FS, 6-0, 140
He doesn't come off the field. He'll be one of the top freshman athletes in the state. Has the confidence and work ethic to make it big. Great dual-threat quarterback.
37. Jaxon Zembrychi, Chandler, OT/DT, 6-5, 220
Strong, athletic, good footwork. Will fill out over the years and may gain an inch or two. Tremendous upside. Very coachable.
38. Kam Richardson, Corona del Sol, WR, 5-8, 145
Works individually with former NFL wide receiver Jaelen Strong. Great breakaway speed. Potential to play varsity as a freshman.
39. Luke Farrell, Corona del Sol, QB, 6-3, 145
Great QB height for an incoming freshman, great arm strength and all-around athlete. Coach Jake Barro believes he's got the potential to be a Power 5 quarterback.
40. Tee Smith Jr., Hamilton, QB, 6-0, 150
Big threat in the pocket and outside the pocket with his ability to elude defenders. Good runner. Accurate passer.
41. Phoenix Jenkins, Scottsdale Chaparral, OL, 6-5, 290
Already a manchild at the age of 14, he's not just a big body. The kid has skills enough to already be working with the varsity this summer. Whether he starts or not as a freshman on varsity, time will tell. But his presence is felt and the potential to become a Power 5 college offensive lineman is off the charts.
42. Matthew Avelar, Salpointe Catholic, QB, 6-2, 190
He makes great reads and throws. Had an impressive summer. Will continue to develop with a tremendous work ethic. Has all the tangibles. He's a playmaker with his legs and ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing work.
43. Iona Kupu, Chandler LB, 5-11, 220
Comes from a great football family. Great instincts, deceptive athleticism has a high football IQ. Will make plays.
44. William Bullard, Centennial, DT/OL, 6-1, 220
A relentless worker, he might be ready to play varsity now. He competed with varsity in big man competitions in Junes.
45. Jonah Lubno, Hamilton, QB, 6-1, 160
Talented with a strong arm, played well at Arizona State in the 7-on-7 passing tournament. Will progress well with his work ethic.
46. Gunnar Perry, Scottsdale Notre Dame, RB/LB
He is the brother of Notre Dame wide receiver Cooper Perry, who is The Republic's top-rated 2025 prospect in Arizona. Gunnar is a big, athletic kid who, as a freshman, could see action on both sides of the ball. Great strength and a punishing player.
47. Quinten Moody, Notre Dame, OL, 6-3, 225
Already drawing Power 5 attention, has great athleticism, and hip strength with big hands. Relentless worker.
48. Detroit Taylor, Perry, WR/LB, 6-3, 175
He is the brother of junior quarterback Deisel Taylor, who is 6-5, 210. Coach Joseph Ortiz believes Detroit might end up bigger and be a Division I tight end before he's done playing high school football.
49. Jett Archuleta, Chaparral, S, 5-7, 130
He's the son of former Chandler High, Arizona State and NFL player Adam Archuleta and has a lot of his father's relentless work ethic to be great. He's already been noticed by Chaparral varsity coaches. Will also play slot receiver. Will make plays all over the field on the freshman team.
50. Jarell Price, Mesa Desert Ridge, RB/DB, 5-7, 175
Coach Roy Lopez said he's excited to see this kid develop. He reminds him of some of the top athletes he had at Marcos de Niza, including Anthony Shivers and Byron Murphy (now in the NFL).
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phenom 50: The Republic's top incoming HS freshman football prospects
