The ESPN Junior 300 rankings are here, setting the stage for a pivotal next several months for the top rising juniors across the country.
This class already has several five-stars who grab attention right away, including a quarterback commit who reminds us of one of the top quarterback prospects in the country, as well as yet another elite Ohio State wide receiver commit.
Here’s how the top players at each position stack up, with a focus on five-stars who could continue to impress in the months ahead.
When it comes to pure passing acumen, Houston has everything evaluators look for. He has one of the smoothest, cleanest releases in recent classes with extremely consistent mechanics. Houston throws with power and velocity, and the ball jumps off his hand. Defenses have a hard time rushing him because he gets the ball out of his hand so quickly. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder might not have elite size, but he makes every throw and looks pretty good doing it.
Haven has been an incredible two-sport athlete and, after playing several positions in high school, his best football might still be ahead of him once he settles in at quarterback. He’s big, athletic and raw with physical tools that can’t be coached. Although he’s a very good runner for his size, he is not necessarily a dynamic dual threat. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Haven is similar to Joe Milton coming out of high school. Like Milton, Hazen should iron out some technical quirks to maximize his arm strength and accuracy over time.
Spell is a bit short at 5-foot-10, but he’s not small. He’s built similarly to former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, even if he doesn’t weigh as much yet. Spell is a low-to-the-ground scatback who plays in a single wing/wing-T offense as both a tailback and wing back. He gets lost behind the line of scrimmage, then fits through tiny creases and is into the second level, winning foot races in no time. Spell has the burst to make defenders miss in the hole, which makes up for his lack of stature or power. He’s a really good perimeter runner because he can get to the edge and turn the corner.
Brown is a handful. The Ohio State commit has Ja’Marr Chase-like burst, acceleration and the ability to take the top off the defense. Even though Brown has the physical tools to overwhelm high school defenders, his polished route-running shows he already understands some of the nuances of the position. He ran a 4.49-second laser-timed 40-yard dash in April 2025, a 10.5-second 100-meter dash in 2024 and has a Max Speed on film of 21.3 mph.
Sabb could project at safety but will likely begin his career at wide receiver. His impact and value as a special teams returner should get him on the field quickly. Sabb is extremely difficult to tackle in the open field, and despite a slim 6-1, 185-pound frame, he breaks tackles routinely and extends plays. Sabb is a home run threat as a return specialist who can flip field position and provide points. His ball skills are as good as any receiver in this class, and he consistently makes difficult catches look routine.
Hudson headlines several big-play weapons at tight end in the 2027 class. Historically, there’s a strong correlation between basketball background and tight end success. Hudson fits the bill. The 6-foot-6 standout has offers in both sports and a desirable combination of height, length and catch radius. He does a great job high-pointing the ball as a dangerous red zone threat. Hudson is a matchup problem who can work from both the in-line position and flexed out. He needs to put more blocking on tape, but he’s proving to be a versatile player.
Brown has the tools to become a coveted elite college tackle. Based on his film and an excellent April performance at the Houston Under Armour camp, stamping five-star status on him was an easy decision. Brown doesn’t have eye-popping height at 6-foot-4, but he has an unbelievable wingspan and big hands. He’s also likely not done growing, which would address his need to add more mass. Brown’s athleticism stands out at this stage. He’s light on his feet with good body quickness, natural bend and, at times, effortless pass protection. His areas of growth are correctable and will come with more physical maturation.
Gilbert’s 22.2 mph Max Speed on tape is elite, and he has also posted a 10.57-second 100-meter dash. He needs to get stronger and fill out his lean 6-foot, 170-pound frame, but that hasn’t affected his willingness to be a stout run supporter. Gilbert plays bigger than his listed measurables, is highly competitive, likes to mix it up and can really run.
Meredith’s best football is ahead of him as he settles into a full-time cornerback role. He has played all over the field and is a dynamic athlete with instincts and a great feel for the game. At 6-foot-2, Meredith has great length and height for the position, and he ran a blazing 4.42-second laser-timed 40-yard dash. He has also posted a 21.2 mph Max Speed on tape. His high ceiling is exciting considering he’s just getting started as a defender.
Brewster is 6-3, 305 pounds, but he’s a versatile athlete who carries his weight well and moves like a much smaller man. He posted strong testing numbers, and his versatility showed up on film, where he has played running back, wildcat quarterback and also as a stand-up edge on defense. Defensive line is the long-term focus and he has the tools to develop into a disruptive 3-technique matchup problem. Brewster regularly won 1-on-1 reps in camp settings this spring, using his quickness to gain leverage along with his active hands. He’s a defensive tackle who makes plays against the run and as an interior pass rusher, but his versatility will allow a college program to deploy him along its front to exploit matchups and get the best defensive linemen on the field at the same time.
This is a strong class for defensive line and edge prospects. Forstall is a big reason why. He needs to continue developing his 6-4 frame, which is important, but he already looks like a much older player. Forstall tests well, explodes off the ball with good bend and pad level, and he redirects well. His effort allows him to factor into pursuit. Beyond his excellent tools, Forstall has the acumen of a player who could make the jump now. He uses his hands well, shows good awareness and quickly locates the ball. Forstall is always in the right position, and with continued development could become a three-down impact defender. With an offensive tackle ranked No. 1 on our board, it’s only fitting a defensive end could push him hardest for that top ranking.
While he’s listed as an outside linebacker, Guyton fits more as an edge and can be a handful getting up the field. His strong and quick hands are among the first traits that jump out on film. He’s an active presence who delivers a quick jolt with good power. Guyton isn’t a pass rusher who tries to get to the corner and simply run around tackles. Instead, he wants to punish them on his path to the quarterback. The explosive athlete reportedly notched 16 sacks during his first two high school seasons and should develop into a physical, relentless edge presence.
The Panthers’ odds to win the series are now -1600, adjusted from -5000 heading into Game 4. The Hurricanes’ odds have shifted to +750 (adjusted from +1500) after their win. The Panthers’ odds to win the Cup are now +105 (previously -110), while the Canes’ are now +1800. Sergei Bobrovsky is the leading Conn Smythe candidate in this series at +200, followed by Aleksander Barkov (+800).
Game 4 was the Canes’ first win in the round since Game 7 of the 2006 Eastern Conference finals against the Buffalo Sabres, snapping a 15-game conference finals losing streak. It was the longest losing streak in NHL playoff history for a team in the round preceding the Stanley Cup Final. The Hurricanes are now 4-4 all-time in Game 4s when trailing 3-0 in a best-of-seven series.
Frederik Andersen made 20 saves for his fifth career playoff shutout, his second with the Hurricanes. He joins Cam Ward (four), Kevin Weekes (two) and Petr Mrazek (two) as goaltenders with multiple playoff shutouts in Whalers/Hurricanes Stanley Cup playoffs history.
Carolina’s Logan Stankoven scored playoff goal No. 5 in the second period. He joins Erik Cole (six in 2002) and Warren Foegele (five in 2019) as the only rookies in Whalers/Hurricanes history to score at least five goals in a single Stanley Cup playoffs year.
Sebastian Aho scored an empty-net goal in the third period, his 32nd career playoff tally. That extends his own franchise record for career goals in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Panthers were shut out for the second time this postseason; both games were at home — the other instance was Game 6 of the second-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Florida went 0-4 on the power play in Game 4, and the team is now 0-8 with the man advantage in the last two games of this series after going 4-for-5 in Games 1 and 2.
Though he hasn’t scored a goal in the past two games, Sam Bennett has a team-leading nine this postseason. That is two shy of the franchise record in a single playoff year, currently held by Matthew Tkachuk (2023) and Carter Verhaeghe (2024).
Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco will have surgery on his right elbow and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season, the team announced Wednesday.
The starter had sought a second opinion after being placed on the injured list last week with inflammation in the elbow.
The Astros said Blanco — who is 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA, 48 strikeouts and 20 walks in nine starts this season — is anticipated to return at some point during the 2026 season.
Blanco, 31, is among a long list of starting pitchers on the injured list for the Astros. Right-hander Hayden Wesneski underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery last week, while right-hander Spencer Arrighetti has been out since April after breaking his right thumb in a batting practice mishap.
Houston is also without right-handers Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier, who are both still recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Blanco is in his fourth major league season, all with the Astros. In 2024, he finished 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA in 30 games (29 starts). He threw his only career complete game in his season debut on April 1, no-hitting the Toronto Blue Jays in a 10-0 win.
The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.
The Breeders’ Cup world championships are returning to New York in 2027 at the rebuilt Belmont Park, following a massive renovation project to revitalize one of the most important horse racing tracks in the country.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with officials from the Breeders’ Cup and the New York Racing Association, announced Wednesday that the track on the edge of Queens and Nassau County on Long Island will stage the event in the fall two years from now.
“We wrote the governor of New York a letter in 2023 that simply said, ‘If you build it, we will come,'” Breeders’ Cup Limited president and CEO Drew Fleming said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “And so we’re very honored to keep our word and have a wonderful Breeders’ Cup world championship here in 2027 to showcase the new development and investment in Belmont Park to our fans from across the globe.”
Keeneland in Lexington was revealed as the 2026 host.
Belmont Park was last home to the Breeders’ Cup in 2005, the fourth time in two decades after also being there in 1990, 1995 and 2001. A goal of the $455 million teardown and reconstruction was to attract the major event.
“It was always part of the plan: We weren’t going to redevelop Belmont Park without Breeders’ Cup in mind, so it was always part of the initial goals,” NYRA president and CEO David O’Rourke told the AP by phone. “Getting the championships back to New York is big from an economic point of view and probably one of the most important [things], if not the most important. It gives our trainers and horsemen a chance to compete on their home tracks. I think it’s great. It’s been over 20 years.”
Hochul said in a statement that the redevelopment is bringing thousands of jobs and $1 billion in long-term economic activity to Long Island.
“Thanks to the investments we are making at Belmont Park, the long held dream of bringing the prestigious Breeders’ Cup back to New York will soon be a reality,” Hochul said.
The Breeders’ Cup has been at a Kentucky or California track every year since 2008. Del Mar outside San Diego has it this year as a back-to-back host and for the fourth time since 2017.
Santa Anita outside Los Angeles, Keeneland and Churchill Downs in Louisville — home of the Kentucky Derby — have become the regular sites for the two-day festival featuring the best thoroughbreds in the world and tens of millions of dollars’ worth of races. It’s shifting back to the Eastern time zone for the next two years.
“California is and has always been a wonderful spot to have the Breeders’ Cup with Santa Anita Park and Del Mar, but one of the missions of the Breeders’ Cup is to grow the sport, and one of the ways we do this is hosting world championships at various venues across the United States,” Fleming said, adding that he expects the event to generate $100 million for the New York economy.
While NYRA has not announced a location for the 2026 Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown is set to return to its old home by 2027, after a multiyear stint at historic Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York during renovations.
With the Belmont at Belmont Park shifting back to an annual occurrence, it is possible the track known for greats like Secretariat and Seattle Slew rumbling down the stretch to the finish line with fans roaring might get back in a regular rotation.
“The best part about working for the Breeders’ Cup is that nothing is off the table,” Fleming said. “New York City has some of the finest accommodations and restaurants and entertainment in the world, so it’d be a natural fit that we would be at Belmont Park frequently.”