Zach Wassil
The Pensacola-area 2027 class already features Division I commitments, Power Four offers and several players ready for big senior seasons.
This group stands out because of a mix of proven production, recruiting traction and upside heading into the fall. Some have already made their college decisions. Others could see their recruitment change quickly once senior film starts circulating.
Here are five Pensacola-area 2027 recruits to know before Week 1.
Makael Williams, RB, Pace
Committed: South Alabama
Makael Williams
Williams enters the season as one of the most proven offensive players in the area.
The Pace running back rushed for 1,529 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior and was named the Pensacola News Journal Offensive Player of the Year. He committed to South Alabama after collecting 21 Division I offers.
Williams has the burst to create explosive plays, but he’s also tough enough to run through contact and handle a heavy workload.
Now comes the challenge of doing it again when every defense on Pace’s schedule knows exactly who it has to stop.
Zach Wassil, OL, Pensacola Catholic
Committed: UWF
Zach Wassil
Wassil should be one of the most interesting local players for UWF fans to follow this fall.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Pensacola Catholic offensive lineman committed to UWF in May, becoming the Argos’ first verbal commitment since the program moved to Division I.
Wassil has primarily worked on the left side of Catholic’s offensive line and has the size and versatility to project at multiple spots up front.
For UWF, this is more than just another commitment. Wassil represents one of the first local building blocks of the Argos’ Division I recruiting era.
Korden Randle, WR, Pine Forest
Committed: Tulane
Korden Randle
Randle may have as much upside as anyone in the area.
At around 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, the Pine Forest playmaker gives defenses a difficult matchup because of his combination of size and athleticism.
Randle committed to Tulane after picking up offers from programs including Florida, Florida State, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.
The next step is turning those physical tools into consistent production every Friday night. If Pine Forest can get him the ball regularly, Randle has a chance to put together a big senior season.
Ezekial Burgess, DB, Navarre
Offers: Auburn, Miami, Kentucky, Georgia Tech
Ezekial Burgess
Burgess is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 69 tackles, four interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
That production helped establish him as one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in Northwest Florida.
At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Burgess has enough size to be physical near the line of scrimmage while still having the athletic ability to make plays in coverage.
Another strong season could push his recruitment even further and make him one of the area’s most talked-about defensive prospects.
Caleb Brown, OL, Tate
Offer: Middle Tennessee State
Caleb Brown
Brown is one of the area’s clearest stock-up candidates entering Week 1.
The 6-foot-4, 312-pound Tate offensive lineman picked up his first Division I offer from Middle Tennessee State during the offseason.
Brown has worked at right guard and already has the size college programs look for on the interior.
For Brown, the next step is turning his senior tape into more recruiting momentum.
If he starts the year strong and continues improving his movement, consistency and ability to finish blocks, more schools could get involved quickly.
His recruitment could look much different by the middle of the season.
Williams, Wassil, Randle, Burgess and Brown all enter the fall at different stages of their recruitment, but once the season begins, the focus shifts back to what happens on the field.
Week 1 is where the recruiting résumés take a back seat and these five get the chance to show what their senior seasons could become.
