Unveiling the 2028 Rankings: Nos. 9-16

As the 2024 football season reaches the midway point of the regular season, we've seen more than enough evidence from the youngest players around the state that the future is bright.    They've forced themselves onto their respective fields.   And it's not simply to take up space or provide a warm body.   No, the 24 players who comprise our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/south-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">initial Class of 2028 rankings</a> have started to prove themselves early. Some lead their teams in certain statistical categories. Some bolster already strong squads that could be around deep into the playoffs.   All of them have made an impression.    Let us introduce you to Nos. 9-16 of the initial Prep RedZone Class of 2028 rankings.   No. 16: [player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia'] QB, Indian Land   Kucia was handed the keys to a weapon-filled offense and allowed to take risks in order to get the ball to players like [player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'] and let them do their thing. Kucia has made some mistakes, but he's also dwarfed those with big plays. As his completion percentage increases and the game starts to slow down around him, Kucia is a pocket passer who might start putting up monster numbers sooner rather than later.    No. 15: [player_tooltip player_id='1467823' first='Jayden' last='Martin'] ATH, Crestwood   Through the first five games of 2024, Martin (pictured) led the team in receptions and yards. That's not a big shock considering the Martin family's influence on this program in recent years. He was also third on the team in that span in carries and even threw a few passes. The writing is on the wall; Martin is going to get every opportunity to produce on offense while simultaneously getting some special teams reps and the occasional defensive play.    No. 14: [player_tooltip player_id='1467822' first='Josh' last='Evans'] DL, Mauldin   In some universes, Evans would have flown under the radar. Not in this one. He's 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and has the signs of a potential menace in the making. Through his first four games, the defensive end had 14 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and a sack against three Class 5A opponents and a Class 4A foe. Evans has some instinctual advantages that will only be fine-tuned with further strength development.     No. 13: [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] RB, Christ Church   The graduation of Dashun Reeder left a gaping hole in the Cavaliers' offense after he put up yards galore for a lengthy period of time. Martin wasn't going to fill that chasm by himself but he has taken advantage of an early chance to produce after moving from Georgia. The immediate result was a player who has had more carries than the rest of the offense combined through the first chunk of the season. He's used those to already eclipse 200 rushing yards and reach the end zone.     No. 12: [player_tooltip player_id='1467820' first='Noah' last='Tucker'] DB, Union County   Tucker is among a large crop of 2028s at Union County who could eventually be considered the nucleus of this team. He's a starter on defense, and he plays on special teams and on offense, as well. But since taking over in his primary role at safety, he's been the team's top tackler despite appearing in one fewer game than many of his cohorts. The best part is that he's doing it all at 5-foot-6 and 150 or so pounds. Imagine what he could do after another growth spurt or two.   No. 11: [player_tooltip player_id='1467819' first='Brandon' last='Poston'] DL, Aiken   Poston didn't need long to put himself into the conversation after he stockpiled tackles galore in the team's season-opener against Aynor. Those 13 total stop were accompanied by four tackles for loss. Poston is the next in a long line of Aiken freshmen to see varsity playing time mere days into his first days as a high schooler. The Green Hornets have a ways to go after some coaching and roster turnover in the last few months. But Poston could be a difference maker.   No. 10: [player_tooltip player_id='1467817' first='Liam' last='Flynn'] K, Blythewood   There are kickers around the state who jump onto the field and make PAT after PAT. Flynn's mostly done that, having connected on 14 of his first 17 extra points. He's also added four early field goals from short range. But what we noticed about him first is that when Blythewood scores, there's a better than average chance the opposing team is going to start its next possession at the 20. Flynn buried 13 of his first 17 kickoffs in the end zone. That's atypical for most kickers, let alone freshmen ones.    No. 9: [player_tooltip player_id='776240' first='Tre' last='Blakeney'] RB, Marlboro County   Blakeney has been afforded some early playing time thanks to some lopsided scores this season. His 7.4 yards per carry over his first 20 runs and an early touchdown (in the Bulldogs' first game against Lake Marion) show that not only could he be Marlboro County's tailback of the future, the staff expects him to be exactly that. Blakeney is shifty and is a little bit of weight room time away from being among the best tailbacks in the state as time progresses.

As the 2024 football season reaches the midway point of the regular season, we've seen more than enough evidence from the youngest players around the state that the future is bright.