Future Friday: Class of 2028 Prospects To Know 8/19

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletes in the class of 2028 are just heading into the seventh-grade this school year. However, there are over a dozen prospects in this class that already have verbal scholarship offers. Furthermore, there are hundreds of athletes in this class that nobody has even heard of yet, that WILL be scholarship players down the line. Here's a look at some to take note of, very early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe54080e078","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["417591"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"If the name sounds familiar, it's for good reason. He's the son of Dexter McCleon (Sr.) who was actually drafted in both baseball and football, before ultimately deciding to pursue football. While pops may have the distinction of playing in a Super Bowl, Jr. is the one that has a huge athletic career in front of him. At 6-foot-1 and 170-pounds right now he's arguably the top baseball player in the country for the class of 2028. On top of that, he's an elite football player too. He shines as a Wide Receiver/Tight End/Defensive End for Buford. Physically, he has the same genetics as his Dad, which puts him in an elite company. McCleon is going to be a special athlete for years to come.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe55400e079","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419108"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"You'd be hard-pressed to find another Quarterback in the class of 2028 that is as physically developed as Wade. The 6-foot-1, 150-pounder is put together extremely well and looks high school-ready right now. He models his game after Texas legend and former NFL 1st round pick, Vince Young. The comparison isn't too farfetched. Wade is set to begin his seventh-grade season and trains with Laced Facts in California. He already holds an offer from San Jose State and has already visited Nevada and USC, among other schools.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe55650e07a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Widely thought of as the top Running Back in the class of 2028, there's certainly fire where the smoke is with Kemp. He's had quite the youth career already, helping lead the Brick City Lions to several national tournament victories. I got my first opportunity to see him live this past spring at the Game Changers Showcase at Rutgers University and he showed why there's such a buzz about him.  One the fastest man competition and Running Back MVP at the showcase. Watching on film compared to seeing him in person, he's a thicker back than I thought he was. He's a great combination of speed and power on the youth level. He already has many of the private schools in New Jersey jockeying for position with him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe56520e07b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419118"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It doesn't matter who you are; You could be a common football fan or a member of a Recruiting Department at a major university, if there is a seventh-grader that is already listed at 6-foot-4 and 285-pounds, you're going to take a look.  Despite only being a class of 2028 prospect, Thigpen is playing up on the 14U team of the 757 Colts out of Virginia. The Colts are one of the top youth programs on the East Coast, and turn out a number of athletes with FBS offers before they enter high school. Thigpen could certainly be the next Offensive Lineman to join that exclusive club.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe5e250e07d","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419167"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"While I don't have official measurements on Troutman, the Indiana native is certainly in the neighborhood of 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-6 and he's only entering the seventh-grade. It probably goes without saying, but football isn't even his best sport, as he's a blue-chipper on the basketball court, too. He's listed as an Athlete because there is a long time to go until his position gets solidified. The positions that stand out to me the most as a potential landing spot are Tight End and Defensive End.  He's played a lot of Defensive End at this point in his career with great success. His length, specifically his limbs, and his quick feet (thanks to basketball) make him a tough day at the office for most youth Offensive Tackle's.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe5eb50e07e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419179"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The name of the game with Lemons is athletic ability and potential, as both are through the roof.  As a 6-foot-2 sixth-grader last school year, he was already dunking a basketball with ease, just messing around in the gym. Playing for Ginn Elite, one of the top youth programs in the country, Lemons was their starting Quarterback last season. In watching him play, it was a smart move by coaches to get the ball in the hands of their most athletic player on every play. He's extremely raw at this point in terms of fundamentals, throwing motion, reads, etc. as a Quarterback.  That said, there's absolutely no substitution for what Lemons brings to the table athletically. With the ball in his hands, either passing or throwing, his team will have a shot to win.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62ffafebdfc23","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["420311"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Another intriguing 2028 prospect is Maea out of Nevada. At 6-foot and 220-pounds he bounces between Middle Linebacker and and Defensive End/Edge rusher. Having played for Vegas Strong last season, he'll be playing for 702 Blessed this year, in the ultra competitive NYS League.  The NYS is known for turning out prospects that attend many of Nevada's high school football powerhouse programs, such as Bishop Gorman, Liberty, Desert Pines and more. Maea is a load for this level, with a thick build and he can move.  Has pretty good feet for a big man growing into his body at this stage. Does a nice job of defeating blocks at the point of contact and uses natural strength to bring down ball carriers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->