Delaware Class of 2028 Rankings Are Live
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For the first time ever, Prep Redzone Next has released actual rankings–as oppose to just a Watchlist–for the state of Delaware. Off the strength of last year’s list of the top 8th graders, which featured 2027 prospect Layton Von Brandt…
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Continue ReadingFor the first time ever, Prep Redzone Next has released actual rankings–as oppose to just a Watchlist–for the state of Delaware. Off the strength of last year’s list of the top 8th graders, which featured 2027 prospect Layton Von Brandt at the top spot, we deiced to go back to the well for the class of 2027. Von Brandt has proceeded to pick up FBS offers from Syracuse, Charlotte, Rutgers and West Virginia as a freshman at Appoquinimink High School and we think some of the guys below may be on the same trajectoey
2028 Delaware Rankings
Athletic tight end/defensive end that played middle school ball at Smyrna Middle School and will be off to Middletown for high school. Has the ability to completely take over the game on both sides of the ball.
Area for improvement: Develop an arsenal of pass rush moves.
Highlights
Line him up at running back, wide receiver, quarterback, linebacker or defensive back. Was the Offensive MVP of the All-Delaware Bowl this spring with 95 rushing yards and three touchdowns, on just 12 carries.
Area for improvement: Sharpen/expand position-specific skill set (at which ever position he ends up at).
Highlights
Tough kid with wide receiver swag and an attitude. Played youth ball for the Big 215 Extreme out of Philadelphia. Will likely play in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools (Philly Catholic League).
Area for improvement: Harnessing his emotions in-game.
A dangerous corner to throw at, proven by his Defensive MVP and record-setting three interceptions in the All-Delaware Bowl this spring. No update on high school yet, but was down to three Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools (Philly Catholic League) and Salesianum in Delaware.
Area for improvement: Juggling the judgement of when it’s OK to go for the big play/hit.
Highlights
Athletic, rough and aggressive defensive end/offensive tackle. Also a wrestler and stands 6-foot-2 and 175-pounds, has the potential to be really good when he starts adding weight/muscle on his long frame.
Area for improvement: Adding mass.
Highlights
A very complete running back with abover average speed, power, vision and can catch out of the backfield. Out of all the running backs in this ranking, unquestionably has the most high school-ready body at this point.
Area for improvement: Straight line speed.
Versatile offensive lineman that can play either guard or tackle. Also a wrestler with a powerful trunk, this past season he saw varsity time as an eighth-grader at Caravel Academy.
Area for improvement: Keep feet moving in pass pro against speed rushers.
Highlights
Your classic tall, long, lean wide receiver coming out of the pre-high school level at 6-foot-2 and 150-pounds. Once he finds the weight room, he’ll ascend even higher. Finished his eighth-grade season with 576 total yards of offense and seven touchdowns.
Area for improvement: Add mass/get stronger.
Highlights
Arguably the fastest pure running back in Delaware for the class of 2028. Has a tremendous build for a prospect on this level and runs like he was shot out a cannon when he hits the hole. Also a very good corner, too.
Area for improvement: Not exactly in his control, but simply getting taller.
The biggest prospect I’ve come across in the state at 6-foot-2 and 275 pounds. Looked strong in the All-Delaware Bowl, playing much better in space than I anticipated. His run blocking stood out to me.
Area for improvement: Staying lower at, and through, the point of contact.
Good looking athlete in general at 6-foot-2 and 170-pounds. Also a basketball player, a nice combination of size and advanced hand-eye coordination. Has recently announced he’ll be at Middletown for high school.
Area for improvement: Straight line speed.
A speedy wide receiver that gets excellent separation off the line of scrimmage, if given space. Also a defensive back, he understands how to get open, specifically going across the middle.
Area for improvement: Add weight/muscle, improve overall body strength.
A prospect that passes the eye test right away. Long torso and legs, his frame is going to do allow some great things. Listed as a running back but can really play any skill position. Was named Newcomer of the Year this past season for the MOT Steelers.
Area for improvement: Hip flexibility and lengthening his strides
Highlights
He’s listed as a defensive lineman (defensive end), but Hickman Jr. can also be utilized as an outside linebacker and/or running back. Defensively, he has a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage, by any means necessary.
Area for improvement: Figuring out where he best fits. Currently 5-foot-9 and 180-pounds, he’s a tweener and position-specific skills will become crucial.
A prospect with a gifted frame at 6-foot-2 and 180-pounds. Listed as an ATH, he can play any number of positions–TE, DE, OLB, WR and has even run the ball. Long term he looks like an OLB, in my humble opinion.
Area for improvement: Mass/muscle development. Not necessarily a weak point now, but muscling up will only help him.
A cornerback who plays the position with a throwback mentality. He’s tough, not afraid to get physical against the run or the pass, and is a very good tackler for the position. Does nice job in press, in particular.
Area for improvement: Overall speed and quickness in order to match up with faster receivers.
Highlights
A bull in china shop combined with the Tasmanian Devil is best way to describe him. A violent interior defensive lineman who fires off the ball quickly. Saw varsity time as an eighth-grader this year and was named the Linemen MVP at the All-Delaware Bowl with two tackles for loss and a sack.
Highlights
A 2028 quarterback with a high school-ready body, who passes the eye test at 6-foot-1 and 205-pounds. Biggest takeaway on the Southpaw are his excellent fundamentals for this level.
Area for improvement: Carrying out play fakes/post-handoff movement.
Athletic prospect that projects as an outside linebacker as of right now, but is capable of playing defensive end and/or tight end too. Has vastly improved his speed and quickness between his seventh and eighth-grade years.
Area for improvement: Develop more natural ball skills. Depending on future position(s) this will be an important trait.
The only current true tight end in the rankings, Smack has a ton of upside and potential. In addition to having an elite last name for a football player, he run blocks well has a great frame for future development.
Area for improvement: Catching the ball with hands more consistently. Sometimes lets the ball get into his body, as oppose to catching with extended arms.
21.) Quentin Middleton | Athlete
22.) Jameson Bryant | Quarterback
23.) Te’Quan Smith | Linebacker
24.) Julius Mosley | Wide Receiver
25.) Kam DeShields | Defensive Back
26.) James Rugh | Wide Receiver
27.) Javier Morales | Defensive Line – Interior
28.) Cam Gardner | Quarterback
29.) Isaiah Fountain | Defensive Line – End
30.) Ay’Din Bellamy | Defensive Line – Interior
31.) Jayven Chapman | Running Back
32.) Charles Johnson Jr. | Defensive Line – Interior
33.) Mikai Pritchett | Athlete
34.) Jaimi Peace | Wide Receiver
35.) Brendan Zuka | Offensive Line
36.) James Flowers | Defensive Line – End
37.) Aaron Sylvain | Athlete
38.) Karmelo Downing | Defensive Back – Safety
39.) Derrick Smith | Defensive Back – Corner
40.) Eric Wright-McGlotten | Defensive Line – End/OLB
41.) Konner Neale | Offensive Line
42.) Max Williamson | Offensive Line
43.) Juice Chase | Defensive Back – Corner
44.) JJ Spence | Quarerback
45.) Wa’Seem Martinez | Wide Receiver
46.) Cyaire Johnson | Defensive Back – Corner
47.) Denzel Jones | Athlete
48.) O’Mar Saunders | Running Back
49.) Hamiorr Turner | Offensive Line
50.) Daniel Monsen | Offensive Line
Watchlist
**Alphabetical order**
– Kitwan Baughn Jr. | Offensive Line
– Bryson Bond | Defensive Line
– John Farrell | Defensive Line
– Josiah Guy | Running Back
– James Johnson | Offensive Line
– Jayden Justice | Running Back *Unable to find recent film
– Andrew Messick | Defensive Back
– Jayden Phares | Offensive Line
– Andrew Taylor | Wide Receiver *Unable to find recent film