Football Class of 2027 Player Rankings: Top 50 Seniors - #1-25

Over the next few weeks we will be releasing our Player Rankings for the football Class of 2027. Player rankings are compiled by Bound Wisconsin football writer Travis Wilson and are based on a combination of college potential, recruiting interest/offers, in-person evaluations, film evaluations, coach evaluations, stats, post-season awards, and more.

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight End/Fullbacks
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
Edge Defenders
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Specialists
Top 50: #26-50

The 2027 class has been a very interesting one to follow over the last couple years, with some players who have been in the public eye as highly-regarded prospects since very early in their high school careers, and a large number that bucked recent trends and stayed in-state to commit to the Wisconsin Badgers.

As expected, there has been a flurry of commitment news in the last couple weeks, as players look to get their college decisions wrapped up before the season starts.

The 2027 class is one of the strongest we’ve seen in quite some time, and the Wisconsin coaching staff recognized it and made a concerted effort to keep the top talent home. The Badgers have commitments from ten players in the class,

Not surprisingly, the offensive line group leads the way with 16 players in the Top 50. There are at least 20 offensive linemen that have offers from at least one Division 1 program.

Three programs had three players in the Top 50: Catholic Memorial (#5 Isaac Miller, #9 Dustin Roach, #33 Devon Williams, Jr.), Germantown (#2 Cole Reiter, #21 Brady Moranski, #44 Carter Gordon), and Notre Dame (#1 Kingston Allen, #3 Richie Flanigan, #12 Joey Massey). Seven teams had a pair of players represented: Hamilton, Kenosha Bradford, Neenah, Pewaukee, Verona, Waunakee, and West De pere.

It has been an interesting year to follow recruiting, to say the least. And there are still a number of prospects waiting for that elusive first D1 offer, or that will emerge as legitimate Division 1 candidates over the coming months. So stay tuned.

Without further ado, here is a closer look at our Top 50 Seniors, as we move to spots #1 through #25.

Please note that in the positional Player Rankings, players were only considered at one position. For the Top 50 list, we gave additional weight to players who excel at multiple positions, and thus there may be some players whose ranking is higher overall than others that they were behind in a position group.

1. Kingston Allen, Notre Dame – What a year it was for Kingston Allen, who stepped in for a two-time, 2,000-yard rusher and state Player of the Year Christian Collins, and was somehow even better. Despite missing a game during the regular season, Allen broke the state record with 3,436 rushing yards and 57 rushing scores. He averaged 9.6 yards per carry and 264 yards per game as the Tritons were the Division 2 runners-up. Allen shared the WFCA Large School Player of the Year award and earned a scholarship offer from Wisconsin, giving a commitment to the Badgers earlier this year.

2. Cole Reiter, Germantown – Reiter occupies the top spot in a loaded Class of 2027 offensive line group that features nearly 20 players with Division 1 offers already. He’s a prototypical offensive tackle, lining up on the right side for the Warhawks. He can easily overwhelm smaller defenders and shows excellent feet to get to the second level or set up in pass pro. One of three Germantown offensive linemen on this list, Reiter has given a commitment to the University of Wisconsin. Reiter was a WFCA All-State choice.

3. Richie Flanigan, Notre Dame – Flanigan made a name for himself in a big way last season, when he was a dominating presence up front on both sides of the ball. He’d earn WFCA Large School All-State on both sides of the ball, and also take home the first WFCA Large School Lineman of the Year award. He accounted for 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks last year on the defensive side of the ball. He’s very athletic for his size, which allows him to get off the ball extremely quickly. He uses his hands as well as just about any lineman I’ve seen. He’ll head to college next year to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where older brother James is a tight end.

4. Hunter Mallinger, Hamilton – Mallinger plays at left tackle for the Chargers, showing a mean streak as he tries to bury defenders on every play. At 6’6, 285 pounds, he has the size and strength to dominate up front, but shows a good ability to play in space on screens, getting to the second level, etc. Mallinger has committed to Wisconsin. Hunter earned WFCA All-State recognition last season.

5. Isaac Miller, Catholic Memorial – Miller is one of the top prospects in the state’s talented 2027 class, earning offers from dozens of colleges around the country before committing to Wisconsin. He was an All-Conference pick last year after recording 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. He has an impressive frame with outstanding length, with solid athletic ability and strength that is continuing to get better.

6. Ethan McIntosh, Verona – McIntosh is a different offensive lineman than many on the list, as he’s still growing into his 6’7” frame. The returning First Team All-Conference pick in the Big Eight Conference gave a commitment to Wisconsin over several other Power 4 offers this spring. While he his very tall and still adding weight, he has excellent feet to get out of his stance quickly and either get into pass set or move on the frequent pulls or reach blocks he’s asked to do from his right tackle spot.

7. Korz Loken, Iola-Scandinavia – Loken continues the recent run of standout Division 1 tight end prospects from the state, ranked among the tops in the country at his position. He gave a commitment to stay home and play for the Badgers earlier this year. Loken’s junior year was shortened by an early injury, and he played at running back for the T-Birds when he was on the field, but his college future is at tight end. With Iola-Scandinavia dropping to 8-player football this year, it will be interesting to see how he is used.

8. Cade Reikowski, Pewaukee – Reikowski showed excellent positional versatility last year, lining up at both tackle spots, out at a heavy tight end, and even at center. He’s a road-grader no matter where he starts out, as his 6’7”, 295-pound size lets him overwhelm many defenders. He’s often used as a puller on counter plays as well, and has good feet and short-area quickness. Reikowski was a WFCA All-State choice last year and has committed to Northwestern.

9. Dustin Roach, Catholic Memorial – Roach is one of the top athletes in Wisconsin, and has put up some highlight reel plays in his time at Catholic Memorial. He could have easily been one of the top receivers in our receiver position rankings, catching 25 passes for 703 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He excels in the defensive secondary at safety as well, with five interceptions last season, including two that he returned for touchdowns. He also had 32 tackles and broke up eight passes in his junior season, when he was a First Team All-Conference selection on both sides of the ball.

10. Keaton Wollan, Amery – Wollan is a tackling machine on defense for the Warriors, recording 125 stops last year with nine tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. He was the Middle Border Defensive Player of the Year and a WFCA Small School All-State pick. Wollan also excelled on offense with a team-high 932 rushing yards. He flies around the field with outstanding athletic ability and a pop that sends blockers and ballcarriers backwards. After initially committing to Iowa State, he flipped his commitment to the University of Wisconsin.

11. Jack Tabbert, Pewaukee – Tabbert is an outstanding two-way player who was used at guard on offense, moving to both sides of the formation depending on the play call. He was frequently used as a puller, which showcased his outstanding agility on the inside. Tabbert was a standout on the defensive line as well. He’s athletic enough that he was a standout on the Pirates’ baseball state championship team. Tabbert went to the Wisconsin Badger football camp in the early summer, and earned a scholarship offer, where he’s expected to play center at the next level.

12. Joey Massey, Notre Dame – Massey is part of a really talented senior class at Notre Dame, and emerged as a key figure in the passing game last season for the Tritons, when he was second on the team with 16 catches for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Massey is a strong, explosive athlete, reporting a 40-yard dash time of 4.631 seconds with a 33” vertical, 370-pound bench press, and 550-pound squat. An outstanding blocker in the powerful Notre Dame rushing attack, Massey gave a commitment to Iowa State last month.

13. Reece Mallinger, Hamilton – Reece joins twin brother Hunter as one of the best tackle duos in the state. Hunter plays on the left, while Reece lines up on the right side for the Chargers. He’s a bit more of a mauler, who specializes in engaging his defender and keeping contact with good leg drive. He committed to Wisconsin with his brother this spring.

14. Evan Leibfried, Mount Horeb/Barneveld – Evan is the younger brother of Indiana offensive lineman Austin Leibfried, but he’s setting out to make a name of his own. He was a Second Team All-Conference pick a year ago and gave a commitment to Northern Illinois last month. Leibfried has excellent size at 6’7, 260 pounds, and is still growing into his body. A basketball background helps him have excellent feet, especially in pass protection.

15. Peyton Schuster, Waterford – Schuster is yet another big-bodied lineman who has loads of talent and potential. Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines, he plays mostly at right tackle for the Wolverines on offense. He does a nice job getting his hands onto defenders to control them. Schuster committed to Wake Forest in early June.

16. Austyn Wittek, New Richmond – Wittek got some valuable reps as a sophomore, rushing for just over 500 yards, and really broke out in his junior campaign, going on to earn Big Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He ran for 1,853 yards and 31 touchdowns on 183 carries, averaging more than 10 yards per carry. Wittek gave a commitment to North Dakota State this spring.

17. David Provost, West De Pere – Provost joins Mount Horeb/Barneveld’s as a commit to Northern Illinois. He also joins Sam Schmidt as part of a standout tackle duo at West De Pere. A First Team All-Conference and WFCA Honorable Mention All-State choice, Provost is a very physical blocker who looks for work in the passing game and stays engaged with his defender.

18. Jamail Sewell, Wisconsin Lutheran – Sewell is a monster on the football field at 6’7”, 280 pounds, but to demonstrate how athletic he is, he’s also an outstanding basketball player, starting for the Viking’s state championship hoops squad. That combination of incredible size and outstanding athletic ability attracted plenty of college attention, and he gave a commitment to Minnesota earlier this year.

19. Tyler Wollin, Lake Mills – Wollin is a highly-productive four-year starter at the quarterback spot for the L-Cats, which is rare for any player. He already has 6,086 career passing yards, with a strong chance to move into the top five all-time by the end of the season, and the possibility to become the state’s all-time passing leader. He has also thrown 77 career passing touchdowns. In his junior campaign, Wollin completed 62.6% of his passes for 2,625 yards and 38 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He was also a starter on back-to-back state tournament teams in basketball. The WFCA All-Stater holds offers from South Dakota, St. Thomas, Drake, and several D2’s, with interest coming from a host of college programs.

20. Deangelo Clay, Monona Grove – Clay has been one of the most disruptive forces in the state for a couple years now. After 28 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a sophomore, he posted 25 tackles for loss and nine sacks last year, when he was a WFCA Honorable Mention All-State selection once again. Powerfully built with excellent leverage, he’s also played at running back for the Silver Eagles. He received a preferred walk-on offer from Wisconsin as a fullback, in addition to multiple D2 and D3 offers.

21. Brady Moranski, Germantown – Our top-ranked offensive lineman Cole Reiter lines up at right tackle for the outstanding Germantown group, but it is Moranski that is entrusted to the important left tackle spot. He is solid with his footwork, and does an excellent job reaching to the second level or getting off combo blocks to the next defender. Moranski received more than a dozen offers before committing to Wake Forest.

22. Mac Johnson, Waunakee – Johnson played multiple positions on both offense and defense for the Warriors last year, though he eventually moved to offensive tackle for much of the year, where he earned First Team All-Conference recognition. It remains to be seen where his college future lies, but we’ll rank him at tight end for right now. In limited chances last season, he did catch a pair of touchdowns, after catching 18 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns as a full-time tight end in his sophomore campaign. Johnson holds offers from Western Illinois, Butler, Drake, St. Thomas, and multiple Division 2 programs.

23. Bryce Austin, Racine Lutheran – Austin only played in four games last year due to injury, but showed out in the limited action he did see. Bryce caught 31 passes for 327 and two touchdowns, which still earned him First Team All-Conference recognition. He’s also a standout on the defensive side of the ball for the Crusaders. Austin holds offers from Western Illinois, St. Thomas, and Drake plus several D2’s.

24. Zeke Zuberbuhler, Darlington – Zuberbuhler led the Redbirds to a Division 6 state title last year, accounting for four touchdowns (1 passing, 3 rushing) in the championship game victory against Edgar. He was the SWAL Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns with just one interception, completing 72.9% of his passes. He also led the team with 1,261 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Zuberbuhler also had five interceptions on defense, one of which he returned for a touchdown, along with two kick return scores. He gave a commitment this spring to the Air Force Academy.

25. Ashton Van Beek, Neenah – Van Beek was named the FVA Offensive Player of the Year last season, helping the Rockets to a share of the league crown. He was a workhorse in the team’s run-heavy offense, carrying the ball 192 times for 1,416 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was effective when throwing it, completing 54% for 828 yards and nine scores. A strong athlete at 6’2”, 210 pounds, he has committed to North Dakota State, where he is expected to play linebacker.