Freshmen Report: Checking in On 11 Notable GA 2028s

The 2028 class in Georgia is starting to settle into the HS scene and make their mark on varsity. Here, I check in on 11 productive freshmen and dish on what we should expect from them in the future.    [player_tooltip player_id='703891' first='Cohen' last='Lawson'] is one of the most productive freshman QBs in the state. When compared against the level of competition, you could argue he is outperforming any other freshman QB in the state. From a young age, Lawson drew rave reviews thanks to his athleticism. Our PRZ Next Scouts considered him athletic enough to play a skill spot in HS, but he has fully grown into his role as a signal-caller. He is a shorter, stouter QB, hovering around 6'0 and 180 pounds. He is an efficient runner, proving his explosiveness in the running lanes. Operates off-platform well, frequently getting out on the move and escaping pressure well. He has very clean passing mechanics, keeps the ball high and gets it out of his hand quickly. He throws the ball with good spin and can mix up trajectories, allowing him to layer the ball over LBs and make some touch throws. Lawson has plenty of desirable traits and he will be battle-tested against good comp. He reminds me a little of [player_tooltip player_id='338659' first='Luke' last='Nickel'] when he was a freshman, and I believe Lawson will generate P4 buzz the same way.     [player_tooltip player_id='950809' first='Kevin' last='Hartsfield'] has emerged as one of the premier 2028 prospects in the state this fall. Several offers have rolled in this fall, including P4 ones. Hartsfield has been incredibly explosive this year, rushing for 303 yards on 13 carries, which is 23.3 YPC (!). Hartsfield has shown that he can contribute inside and out of the tackles. He plays with good patience and locates running lanes well. He runs with good contact balance despite being thinner at this stage of development, frequently breaking a handful of tackles as he trots away for long TD runs. He is a bouncey runner with the speed and acceleration to beat defenders to the edge. In the open field, he is a high-knee driver with breakaway speed. Hartsfield is a candidate to be the No. 1 RB in Georgia in the 2028 class and will be a certified blue-chipper.     [player_tooltip player_id='1524552' first='Gary' last='Pringle'] is one of the most productive freshman receivers in the state while also playing both ways. His frame will project him best to the TE spot, as he is already up to 215. He is schemed up opportunities to get him the ball in the open field. He is a good athlete for his frame and is a bowling ball once he gets going, allowing him to shrug off arm tackles and demand defenders to attack him low. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder and is capable of making last-second adjustments with the ball in the air to reel it in. He is capable of splitting out wide, where he is able to dip his hips just enough to work back toward the QB and settle in soft spots. Pringle is a prospect to keep an eye on, especially if he ends up getting a little taller.     [player_tooltip player_id='950971' first='Mason' last='Freeman'] is off to a hot start to his HS career and already has FBS offers under his belt. He has the obvious dexterity and movement traits to develop into an elite playmaker once he develops more explosiveness and finds his top gear. He is superfluid in the open field, giving him access to running lanes and making him tough to catch as he dances away from traffic. He plays bigger than 5'10 150, locating the ball well back across his shoulder and showing that he can rise up through contact to make a play on the football. Added muscle will occur naturally, which will help him add an extra gear and make him a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands. He has P4 upside and reminds me of a younger [player_tooltip player_id='321477' first='Josiah' last='Abdullah'].     Floyd is an underrated, yet productive freshman getting things done on both sides of the ball. He had a 141-yard performance earlier this year against Dublin, while also being productive in coverage as a DB. It's still early for a specific projection, but I like Floyd at DB. He has quick feet, allowing him to quickly get into his backpedal while shadowing receivers. He quickly keys downhill to attack underneath routes and his experience as a receiver gifts him with ball skills. On offense, he plays with good pace and nuance in his routes, flashing subtle head-fakes and misdirection to get DBs guessing. Floyd is a well-developed player from the head up and still has a lot of upside left in the tank.     [player_tooltip player_id='1091379' first='Seven' last='Rashad'] is in a league of his own when it comes to measurables. He already towers over his competition at 6'4 170 and is still in the puppy stages of his growth. He is a bit raw as a mover, still searching for that top gear and developing some twitch. Regardless, he is a mismatch threat and has sticky mitts, using his length to pluck the ball away from his body and off the head of DBs in tightly contested situations. He does flash some nuance as a route runner, showing that he can sink his hips, nod his head, and slowplay DBs to get them in uncomfortable spots. Those traits will allow him to produce as he develops as an athlete. Rashad is already on the radar for P4 schools and once he shows that he can consistently separate, the floodgates of his recruitment will open.     [player_tooltip player_id='1524561' first='Ashton' last='Lawless'] is a super lowkey freshman right now, but he is consistently getting after the QB when on the field and is well-developed for his age. He is already at 6'2 200. He probably projects as an edge rusher right now, but could possibly end up playing off the ball. His speed works in his favor to instantly threaten both shoulders of the blocker. If left untouched, he has the closing speed to arrive at the football before the play can even develop. Still developing his pad level and winning at the first step, but he battles hard to shed blocks. He is willing to slap fight to keep his chest clean, a tool that he will need as competition stiffens. If he continues producing, he will get the love he deserves on the trail. I believe there is FBS and possibly P4 upside here.     [player_tooltip player_id='1524568' first='Noah' last='Brewington']'s potential is the basis of intrigue around him. He is extremely raw, as are most 6'5 200 9th graders with the size profile he carries. He is already pushing people around, proving impossible to move, which will only improve as he grows up. His length keeps his chest clean and gives him opportunities to slip off blocks. He is developing as an athlete and will have to add some twitch and speed to his arsenal. There is a lot of room left for refinement. At his size, I believe he will eventually outgrow the OLB spot and slide inside full-time, where I believe he has the biggest opportunity to consistently impact the game.     [player_tooltip player_id='950840' first='Dawson' last='Jacobs'] has instantly made a huge impact on a stout Blessed Trinity defense. He is the younger brother of teammate DJ Jacobs Jr, who is amongst the best players in the entire country in 2027. [player_tooltip player_id='950840' first='Dawson' last='Jacobs'] is an elite prospect in his own right. He plays with elite leverage and pad level, instantly winning the penetration battle and finding the chest of blockers right off the snap. He finds ways to strike and sheer off blocks, allowing him to free himself in the gaps and engulf ball carriers. He is explosive and is an efficient block shedder. He is doing all of this at 6'3 235 and is only going to improve as he adds more play strength. Jacobs is set to be a premier player in the 2025 class and already has major offers under his belt.     Cole Pollock is one of the most productive freshmen in the state against the ball. He flashes excellent ball skills, making several INTs in tightly contested situations on tape. He is able to make these plays thanks to his ability to stay in phase. Not a burner, at least not yet, but he is fluid in his hips and is tough to separate against. He is a decent athlete with some wiggle, as he shows in the open field with the ball in his hand. He is listed at 6'1 160, checking ideal height and length boxes for a corner. With added play strength, he will become even better in press coverage. Pollock is a solid corner and is just starting what should be a successful HS career.     [player_tooltip player_id='289475' first='Chris' last='Miller'] is a growing QB prospect who seemingly gets better and better as each week passes. Miller is still a little rough around the edges and needs to become a more efficient passer, but he has big play potential. He is well-developed physically for his age and is a commanding, durable presence in the pocket. He has a quick release, allowing him to attack shorter windows within 10 yards. He is plenty equipped in the arm strength category, allowing him to threaten safeties and take the top off the defense. He has a lot of growing to do, but will generate FBS buzz down the stretch of his recruitment thanks to the juice he has in his arm.

The 2028 class in Georgia is starting to settle into the HS scene and make their mark on varsity. Here, I check in on 11 productive freshmen and dish on what we should expect from them in the future.