The National Film Room: 2028 Prospect Film Takeaways – 10.9
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Use PROMO CODE: ALPOPS40 for a DISCOUNT on your Prep Redzone Next subscription. I see the DMs and I’m reading the emails–the people want variety! Here’s a new series called, “The National Film Room” where I go through the film of a 2028 prospect–whether they follow…
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Continue ReadingUse PROMO CODE: ALPOPS40 for a DISCOUNT on your Prep Redzone Next subscription. I see the DMs and I’m reading the emails–the people want variety! Here’s a new series called, “The National Film Room” where I go through the film of a 2028 prospect–whether they follow me on social media or not–and I provide some honest feedback on what I see. Not all these athletes will make the Watchlist in their state, but all have shown some ability during their eighth-grade season in 2023. Today, take a look at some 2028 prospects from Texas, Iowa and Alabama.
Before he gets to Manor High School next year, 2028 prospect Malikai Jackson Malikai Jackson 6’0″ | 130 lbs | QB Manor | 2028 TX is finishing up his time as QB1 at Dailey Middle School. Less than a half hour from Austin, Texas, Jackson is an exciting quarterback prospect with some exciting film. He’s listed (unofficially) in the 6-foot, 155-pound range and when I turn on the film, the comparison that immediately comes to mind is Jameis Winston in high school. Physically their frame and build are nearly identical with long legs and a long torso. In terms of on-field play, Jackson has dual-threat ability and can run well–but isn’t necessarily a prospect you can label a true dual-threat. Like Winston did/does, Jackson drops back with the ball held high by both hands. He keeps his elbow up and has a strong overhand release, just like Winston. If Jackson continues to do his thing, and has even half the on-field career that Winston has had, he’ll be a successful one.
Without question, Stumpff is the top class of 2028 Iowa prospect I’ve been able to evaluate thus far this 2023-2024 season. To be blunt, the future Prarie High School Hawk is a freaky athlete on both sides of the ball, can line up essentially anywhere on the field and would likely be the best player out there, regardless. At a muscular 6-foot and 160-pounds he has the ideal build for an ATH (athlete) at this point. In the film I’ve seen from his middle school season this year, defensively Stumpff plays middle linebacker in a 5-3-3 set, which allows him to flow freely to the ball and let his ability shine. Offensively he lines up in the backfield and he’s a stallion back there, with long and powerful strides carrying him to the end zone. On top of playing AAU basketball and being a Perfect Game Midwest All-Star on the gridiron, he’s also dominates the 7v7 for LevelUp–one of the top programs in the midwest. He has the potential to be a national recruit in the future.
Bumpus Middle School is one of the feeder schools for the Buccaneers of Hoover High School, and it should come as no surprise that one of the powerhouse high school programs in the state also has talented middle school players. Paxton Weatherly Paxton Weatherly 5’3″ | 130 lbs | RB Hoover | 2028 was an All-Metro selection a year ago as a seventh-grader and is well on his way to earning that honor again this season. He’s an exciting multi-sport athlete to watch, due much in part to the speed and quickness that helped Bumpus re-write the record books during the track and field season last spring. His film makes me think of HOF’er Barry Sanders. He’s small at just 5-foot-3 and 130 pounds (unofficial) but good luck getting a hand on him and his slippery running style. Vision, lateral agility and change of direction are three major plusses for him.
I’m not sure what position Dexter Walker Dexter Walker 5’11” | 165 lbs | ATH Allen | 2028 TX will be playing when he eventually hits the varsity field for Allen High School, but he looks like he’s going to be a player that makes difference on the field. Right now he’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds (unofficially) and plays running back and linebacker. Watching him on film, he dominates offensively coming out of the backfield. With such a big, long frame and bucking legs while he runs, the immediate comparison I draw is to watching future NFL Hall of Famer, Adrian Peterson. He easily breaks arm tackles and runs with evident power on the second and third levels of the defense. On top of his ability running the ball, Walker can catch the ball out of the backfield and create too. I list him as an ATH (athlete) because of his presumed size and frame–he’s already big and physical, which tells me he may grow out of the running back position. Either way, he has all the athletic tools to be an impact player.
The future Clear Creek Amana Clipper is an Iowa prospect to keep an eye on as he wraps up his middle school football career this fall. Dao is a three-sport athlete who excels in baseball and wrestling, in addition to football, having won multiple state championships on the mat in Iowa. He initially flashed in front of various PRZ Next scouts last spring at the Music City Mayhem 7v7 tournament, as he was named MVP of the championship game, helping Hot Feet Sports win the 12U bracket. He is already very well together with great full-body strength. He’s somewhere between a wide receiver and tight end at this point, using his size to bully defenders. He does a good job of using his lower body strength and elbows to box out defenders on 50/50 balls–exactly like someone going up for a rebound. Additionally, he catches the ball very naturally and looks comfortable doing so, which is somewhat surprising given his physical nature in every other of his skill set.
Alabama’s JaMicheal Greer JaMicheal Greer 6’1″ | 145 lbs | WR Benjamin Russell | 2028 looks to be a very promising athlete in the class of 2028. The current Alexander City Middle School eighth grade prospect has all the makings of a future star star in the greater Montgomery area. The standout wide receiver is currently listed at 6-foot-1 and 145 pounds (unverified) and is part of a dangerous pitch-and-catch battery with quarterback, Jesse Worthy Jesse Worthy 5’11” | 140 lbs | QB Benjamin Russell | 2028 . Greer is a physical mismatch on the outside at this point with his length and speed. Whether catching a quick screen in the flat or screaming up the field to take the top of a defense, he’s tough to contain. He’s put in motion rather frequently to get the defense’s eyes moving and shifting, which can create enough confusion and discontent for him to make a big play. On top of the pitch-and-catch reference I made above, Greer has also been named an All-American on the baseball diamond during his pre-high school career. Look for a big splash next year at Benjamin Russell High School.