Alabama 8th Grade (2028) Prospects To Get Excited About Early

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Alabama always has great middle school talent that is just months away from becoming national names. In a state where eighth-graders are allowed to log significant varsity playing time (see 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='216690' first='Trent' last='Seaborn'] two years ago), it's clear that there are ample opportunities for success early in the Yellowhammer State. These five below could make an impact on the defensive side of the ball early in their high school careers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092251"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A lockdown Cornerback that doesn't need much help in terms of a safety over the top. Legitimately one of the very few eighth-grade Corners in the state (that I've seen) that I would feel comfortable leaving one-on-one with the opposition's best Wide Receiver. Has the length, hips and ball skills to play early at Hewitt-Trussville if he earns the opportunity. He was one of the big reasons for Hewitt-Trussville going undefeated and winning the Metro South championship. Also recently broke the school record in the Triple Jump with a 40' 2.5u0022.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":[1261421],"_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":"It's not the case in every state, but Alabama does allow eighth-grade students to participate on the varsity level if it's warrantedu002du002dand that's the case with [player_tooltip player_id='1261421' first='Zion' last='Coger']. The Jasper Vikings finished just 1-9 in 2023, but Coger is a piece to help build around for a program that hasn't finished above .500 in five years. Coger saw time as a Defensive Back this past season, but he may be even better as a wide receiver or running back. He has the potential to be a really good one.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1261420"],"_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":"Don't look now, but another Lyles is headed to Central High School in Phenix City. The younger brother of 2026 DL/LB [player_tooltip player_id='212200' first='Tristan' last='Lyles'] (five reported offers), [player_tooltip player_id='1261420' first='Aiden' last='Lyles'] is a Defensive End prospect that lists himself at 6-foot-3 and 190-pounds right now. While the size hasn't been verified, his ability on film certainly has. He's a long kid that is further developed than his older brother was, at this point. Central turns out stud kids year after year and the next Lyles is no different.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1261454"],"_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":"An absolute bully coming out of Buckhorn Middle School in New Market. [player_tooltip player_id='1261454' first='Cortez' last='Carr'] played defensive end this year and was essentially unblockable coming off the edge. Whether making an inside move or an outside move, his quickness off the snap made things difficult for whomever had to block him. This off-season he's messing around with moving to middle linebacker, as well. Scariest thing about Carr is that he also ran the ball this past season too.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1261470"],"_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":"The Defensive MVP for Lauderdale County Junior High's undefeated County Championship-winning team, his efforts went a long way to help the team finish 8-0 this past season. He is somewhere between a Defensive End and Outside Linebacker, some may call him an u0022Edgeu0022. This off-season he's been working on his get-off's out of a three-point stance and he's looking longer and leaner than ever before. He's starting to spend significant time in the weight room, as well. He'll be one to keep an eye on.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663009cddb1e9"} /-->