Collection of 2028 Western Pennsylvania Prospects To Know Early

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use <strong>PROMO CODE: ALPOPS40 </strong>for a <strong>DISCOUNT </strong>on your Prep Redzone Next subscription. In an attempt to continue to bring hyperlocal coverage on the middle school/junior high/pre-high school level, today we're checking out some 2028 prospects from western Pennsylvania that have opened my eyes already. Here are seven eighth grade prospects that fans should start to know early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One more thing: Any 2028-2030 prospects looking for an exposure camp, Prep Redzone Next is holding SEVEN (7) camps this winter across the country. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/next/EVENTS/">Here's all the info!</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1040031"],"_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":"- One of the top 2028 prospects in western Pennsylvania that I've gotten to evaluate up to this pointu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Explosive running back that can break tackles and accelerate again in just a few stepsu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Very good muscular build on his 5-foot-10 and 160-pound (unverified) frameu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- A standout and championship-winning back in the Allegheny Youth Football League since 2018","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1040062"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"- What he lacks in size, he makes up with production and big plays in all three phases of the gameu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Listed as an Athlete because of his versatility. Can play safety or corner on defense, running back or wide receiver on offense and punt/kick returneru003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Despite a small frame, has a more than adequate muscular build for this level of footballu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Currently wrapping up his eighth-grade season for the Elizabeth Forward Warriors and will retuo the PA Elite 7v7 program this off-season","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1040091"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"- A western PA standout in both football and track and field, he qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics this past summer by winning the AAU Region 12 100M and 200M qualifieru003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Ball skills are what separates him from the rest. Whether playing wide receiver or defensive back, he has a knack for making a significant play on the ballu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Currently has average size (no official measurement listed) and above average speed, with room for growth in both categoriesu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- He'll be joining his brother [player_tooltip player_id='388167' first='Carlos' last='Diggs'] at Gateway High School next season. Carlos, a 2026 prospect, has visited both Pitt and Akron already this season","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1040182"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"- Tough, gritty running back/linebacker prospect that has helped lead Duquesne Middle School to an undefeated season with only a few games remaining in the seasonu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Brings the physicality from his middle linebacker position on defense, to the running back position on offense. Rather then run from it, he embraces contactu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Moves well for a bigger back right now at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds (unofficially). His change of direction and vision are among the best I've seen in western PA 2028 backsu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Can run a little too-tall at times, leaving himself open to some hits that may hurt a bit more on the high school level. If he can improve his breakaway speed and center of gravity, he's going to get even better","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["991498"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"- Extremely promising tight end/defensive prospect that is standing out on a very good feeder-program for the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurionsu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds on social media right now, but looks even bigger than that to meu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Was one of the top defensive linemen at the PRZ Next camp in Pennsylvania last May as a seventh grader and showed he was starting to separate himself from others. I think it's safe to say the gap has gotten wideru003cbru003eu003cbru003e- The basketball footwork and time spent in the gym is paying off. After watching his recent three-game film from this season, he's looking noticeably more athletic and less robotic. I previously had him pegged for a defensive end, but I really like how he has upped his game as a tight end","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["619264"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"- Defensive end/tight end prospect from Beaver Area that has continued to grow and stretch out, listed at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds unofficiallyu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- A very similar skill set on both side of the ball to GCC's [player_tooltip player_id='991498' first='Luke' last='Stinnett'], but I think I give Kostyak the nod defensively (and Stinnett the nod offensively). On film, Kostyak is approaching u0022don't run to that sideu0022 level with the chaos he is causing off the edgeu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Keeps offensive tackles off balance with his push/pull moves and the different angle he attacks the edge. He uses his hands exceptionally and has obviously been coached up on some of the idiosyncrasies of the positionu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- His athleticism is fun to watch as a defensive end; Gets his hands on a number of passes by stretching out his arm and tipping the ball. Can go from a stand-up rusher to putting his hand in the dirt interchangeably, which is quite advanced for this stage","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1040324"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"- One of the most promising multi-sport athletes in western Pennsylvania for the class of 2028. As good as he is as a quarterback, he's an even better baseball player at this point in his careeru003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Unofficially listed in the range of 6-foot-1 and 165-pounds with a long, wiry frame that looks like it will be able to hold 20-30 more pounds as he continues to get bigger during his high school careeru003cbru003eu003cbru003e- At first glance he has pocket passer written all over him given his height and demeanor, but he can take off and has some serious unsuspecting speed when galloping in the open fieldu003cbru003eu003cbru003e- Herrick has all the physical tools and intangibles to become one of the WPIAL's most sough-after quarterback's. However, don't forget about the 77 mph fastball that the righty can throw. My money is on him playing baseball past high school, but he's a heck of a field general, as well.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6526c8cd3d2b4"} /-->