Future Friday: Class of 2028 Prospects To Know 9/9

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Interested in reading this and more? Use the code <strong>AlPops30</strong> for 30% off a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/?brand=next">Prep Redzone Next Subscription</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletes in the class of 2028 are just beginning their seventh-grade this school year. However, there are at least 20 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_630f575bc4dcc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["404832"],"_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":"Considered by many to be the top class of 2028 Quarterback in Georgia, and possibly for the entire country, at this stage of the game. Have had the opportunity to watch him play live several times over the last calendar year and have seen every piece of film/social media clip out there on him...and he is advertised. Last year I said he was the best, most complete, sixth-grade Quarterback I have seen since Trevor Lawrence back in the day. Now as a seventh-grader I haven't wavered off my high praise of Cypher. Methodical, high football IQ, surgeon-like precision and accuracy on the field. While Prep Redzone Next class of 2026 National Watch List athlete [player_tooltip player_id='206164' first='Julian' last='Lewis'] is Mr. Right now at Carrollton High School, Cypher is the future for the currently ranked No.13 team in the state. Get u003cstrongu003everyu003c/strongu003e familiar with Cypher.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f5778c4dcd","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419197"],"_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":"There are a lot of dominating players across the country in every class, at every age group, in each league. In fact, if I'm writing about a player and evaluating them, there's a very good chance I think they project to be college football players at a higher level (D2/FCS/FBS). All that said, pound for pound, there may not be a more physically dominant player in the entire country than Patterson. At 6-foot-2 and 210-pounds of muscle in just the seventh grade at just 12-years old, Patterson is unstoppable. Offensively, he plays Tight End and the 2028 prospect is the middle school version of future NFL Hall of Famer, Antonio Gates. He's big, strong, pretty good speed and soft hands for a prospect at this level. Defensively, he's a menace coming off the edge as a Defensive End. Comparison here is to nine-time NFL All-Pro Julius Peppers. He's an absolute specimen.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f5796c4dce","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["425515"],"_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":"Already standing 6-foot and 150-pounds, Lawrence is a South Florida quarterback prospect to start to get excited about right now. It's not secret that Florida turns out elite football talent on every level, but the quarterback position is lacking a bit compared to others. There are certainly headliners like Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Teddy Bridgewater (Dolphins) and Geno Smith (Seattle), but Lawrence is attempting to position himself to be next. Out of those three Quarterbacks, I see his game comparing closest to Geno Smith. He's a long-limbed kid who can certainly scramble a bit, but his success comes in the pocket. Operating almost primarily out of the shotgun, he's very comfortable in the spread offense and does a great job of getting the ball out to his playmakers, quickly and accurately. Has earned the nickname u0022The Air Showu0022 locally in Plantation, Florida...for good reason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f57b1c4dcf","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["432149"],"_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":"Look out Illinois prep football fans, another Startz brother is on the horizon. Class of 2028 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='432149' first='Ryder' last='Startz'] is the younger brother of 2024 Linebacker prospect [player_tooltip player_id='271810' first='Parker' last='Startz']. The elder Startz currently holds four MAC offers and is ranked the No.4 Linebacker and No.28 overall prospect in Illinois in 2024.  At 5-foot-10 and 130-pounds, Startz is an up-and-coming righty with a wicked arm. I'd categorize him as a dual-threat prospect with verified 4.9 speed in the forty-yard dash. Whatever label people want to put on him, he makes a ton of big plays. Blessed with some big-time playmakers around him, namely [player_tooltip player_id='432197' first='Quentin' last='Burrell'], Startz is the straw that stirs the drink for the Naperville Patriots 13U team. He's got a while to go, but the Quarterback position is in good hands at Chicago Mt. Carmel for the future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f57d3c4dd0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["317589"],"_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":"Country strong is one way to describe class of 2028 Offensive Line prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='317589' first='Connor' last='Blevins'].  In just the seventh-grade, Blevins already stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 265-pounds. More impressive than his size is the strength the comes with it, already bench pressing 225-pounds and squatting 425-pounds. Thick and evenly-proportioned, he's very advanced when it comes to Offensive Line fundamentals. Does a good job in pass protection with his kick step and plays under control when attacking the next level in run blocking. This past summer he was one of the top top performers for the Kentucky Future Stars, in their annual tilt against the Tennessee Future Stars. Also a versatile kid that plays Tackle right now, but is more than capable of playing guard, too.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f57ebc4dd1","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["424692"],"_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":"A do-it-all type of prospect, Loggins is a promising kid out of Maryland. A prospect with one of the bigger cult followings on the youth football season in the DMV, Loggins has earned the hype. Doubling as a Track and Field athlete, he was timed at a 12.43 in the 100M in early June. A few weeks after that race, I had the opportunity to watch him in practice at the Future Stars Game week in Atlanta. It didn't matter if it was offense, defense or special teams, Loggins was a standout. Offensively he's a chess piece that can be moved around and is most-dangerous in space. That same quickness and agility that helps him on offense, is the same thing that makes him a weapon in special teams. Whether it be punt return or kick return, he's a threat to set up the offense with good field position. Defensively his home looks to be somewhere as a Defensive Back. At Safety he can play Centerfield and covers a lot of ground quickly; As a Corner he can stay in the hip pocket of almost anyone at this level. There is a significant chunk of time to go, and he has to/will get bigger, but the athleticism is there. Keep him on your radar.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f580cc4dd2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["425609"],"_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":"Much like his older brothers, the youngest Funke brother is very advanced athletically. Oldest brother Jack Funke (6'6u0022, 290 lbs.) is currently a freshman Offensive Lineman at Boston College; Middle brother [player_tooltip player_id='404646' first='Dominic' last='Funke'] (6'3u0022, 200 lbs.) is a Prep Redzone Next class of 2026 National Watch List Defensive End and already holds an offer from the Eagles as well. When it comes to Rory he's the quarterback of the bunch and could have the biggest upside in both baseball and football. Already standing 6-foot and 155-pounds, his left arm is exceptionally strong as a Quarterback and a Pitcher. On the diamond, he's already deeply involved in the USA Baseball Identification program and was selected to the Northeast Identification System Series this past summer. On the gridiron, he was selected as one of only 24 class of 2028 quarterbacks to participate in the Davis Mills QB Challenge in July. The writing is on the wall with Funke, it'll be a matter of just how far the Southpaw goes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->