2027 recruits on the rise and how they will fit at their new schools

The 2027 college football recruiting cycle is entering the homestretch. With that, many of the nation's top prospects are putting the finishing touches on their high school careers and, in some cases, boosting their stock in the process.

In conjunction with the latest update to the SC Next Top 300, we're examining some of the biggest risers from the first half of the high school football season. That includes two new five-star recruits, a pair of improving SEC quarterback commits and other prospects whose stock is trending upward.

Here's what stood out in our latest recruiting evaluations and how these prospects will fit at the next level.

New five-stars and how they fit

A'mir Sears, ATH, Miami commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 4

Sears, a reclassification from 2028, is a true two-way threat and it's not hyperbolic to compare him to 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Sears is showing signs that he could make the same type of impact, which is why he has risen into five-star status -- and similar range to where Hunter ranked in 2022.

Hunter had slightly better top-end speed, but Sears is rangy with elite ball skills and a knack for playmaking. He showed that with a three-interception, two-touchdown performance against national power Bishop Gorman earlier this season. Miami has a greater immediate need in the secondary than at receiver, but it's going to be tough to keep Sears on the sideline when the Hurricanes offense has the ball.

Gideon Gash, CB, Texas Tech commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 21

Dijon Lee Jr. (Alabama), DJ Pickett (LSU) and Kelley Jones (Mississippi State) have all found success on the college level. Gash, another 6-foot-4 corner, is next. He has length and twitchiness, having already posted a 4.2-second 20-yard short shuttle and 21.6 mph game speed.

However, Gash is unique because he's quite productive on offense at receiver, and he's a legitimate college prospect on either side of the ball and special teams. Gash has already returned six punts for touchdowns, a Michigan state record. He has natural ball skills and body coordination, and can take the top off the defense. Gash is the type of prospect who colleges typically bring in with an idea of how to develop, then figure it out as they go once he arrives on campus.

Rising quarterbacks and how they fit

Israel Abrams, Miami commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 55

As he continues to improve and grow into his lanky 6-foot-4 frame, Abrams is reminiscent of NC State quarterback CJ Bailey. His body coordination, footwork and pocket navigation all improved this year.

Given his size, Abrams is a sneaky good athlete and improviser, and his arm strength allows him to make off-schedule throws look easy. He'll enter college with one of the higher developmental ceilings in the 2027 class. Depending on how Miami addresses quarterback in the portal, Abrams could be in the mix to compete quickly.

Jake Nawrot, Kentucky commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 88

Nawrot has steadily improved over this recruiting cycle. He first caught our attention as a junior varsity prospect in 2024. The Illinois native has started his senior season with 31 touchdowns to zero interceptions through his first eight weeks.

He reminds us a bit of a right-handed version of Missouri's Austin Simmons. Nawrot has developed into a gifted play-action passer, and plays in an offense that involves full-field reads and plenty of vertical shots, so his production is not a result of simply making easy throws.

Other risers and how they fit

RB SaRod Baker, Texas Tech commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 40

Baker reminds us of Houston's Makhi Hughes. At 5-foot-11, he's short but not small, running low to the ground as a pinball-type of running back. Baker has been remarkably productive at DeSoto High School, where he's the program's all-time leading rusher, but also an effective outlet in the passing game who lines up at slot receiver.

Baker doesn't have exceptional top-end speed, but he's shifty and quick. He's powerful enough to break arm tackles and push the pile in short-yardage situations and is a tough, physical runner between the tackles despite his stature.

WR Branden Sharpe, Indiana commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 258

Sharpe is a productive in-state receiver who threatens defenses in a variety of ways. Frequently utilized as a catch-and-run guy in the screen game, where he displays outstanding elusiveness and open-field running vision, he's also capable of taking the top off with sneaky speed, reaching 21 mph in games.

A three-sport athlete who participates in basketball and track, Sharpe's natural route running and instincts should only improve once his full-time focus is on football. Not a big-bodied outside target like current Hoosiers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, Sharpe will bring more of an Omar Cooper Jr. element to Indiana's passing game.

S Brady Scott, Indiana commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 225

A versatile safety, Scott is physically ready to contribute from day one in Bloomington. While capable of handling deep zone responsibilities, Scott is at his best around the box, where he makes an impact by blitzing off the edge, supporting the run and shutting down the receiver screen game. He has similar traits to current Hoosier Preston Zachman.

WR Briceson Thrower, Texas commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 131

The 6-3 Thrower is a handful to defend on the outside one-on-one and could be a threat in same way current Longhorn Cam Coleman is utilized on intermediate and deep level routes. Few receivers possess his height/speed combination. His 10.9-second 100-meter dash time shows up on tape. Thrower is lean and wiry, similar in build to AJ Green, but flexible and fast enough to run by people at all times. He has a second gear in the open field and, more importantly, when tracking deep balls.

Thrower makes acrobatic catches look easy, in addition to making all the routine plays. For a player his size, his production after the catch is impressive as well. He has development upside in terms of added bulk and strength, which could make him even more dangerous.

TE Devon Myrie, Eastern Michigan commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 246

A prospect from the NFL Academy in London who was already on our radar, Myrie took full advantage of a three-touchdown performance against IMG Academy on a national platform earlier this season and joins the latest SC Next 300. Two of those touchdowns came from at least 60 yards out as he outran a loaded IMG secondary that featured multiple Power 4 prospects.

Myrie is tall, wiry and can line up either in line or flexed out. While he needs to get stronger, his speed can stretch the field. Myrie won't be viewed as an underrated prospect much longer, and Eastern Michigan may have some work to do to fend off bigger programs eyeing a big-play target at tight end.

OL Jakari Lipsey, Michigan commit

New SC Next 300 rank: No. 156

When you start watching Lipsey's senior tape, it doesn't take long to realize he has made a significant leap. The 6-5, 285-pounder previously ranked on the SC Next 300 thanks to a promising ceiling given his size and strength, but his play could run hot and cold. This year, he looks more dialed in -- and more explosive and nimble.

A Michigan native, Lipsey has gone from a sound in-state keep with some promising tools to an offensive line prospect who, with a bit more seasoning, could become a key addition to the Wolverines' unit up front.