2028 Rankings Update: Scout’s Notes for Players 40-31

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Be sure to follow me on Twitter at</em> <a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">@BrendanScoutsNJ</a> <em>for the latest prospect-specific coverage both during the season and off-season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>For my complete, comprehensive coverage for the class of 2028 rankings, scroll down the bottom of this article to read more!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Enjoy our newest rankings release by using promo code “mankarious30” for 30% off your first subscription to Prep Redzone New Jersey</em></strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike other media outfits in the industry, <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNJ">@PrepRedzoneNJ</a> provides the industry's deepest high school ranking pool for each graduating class in the Garden State... AND we share our team's scouting notes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See those notes below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#40: [player_tooltip player_id='987740' first='Elijah' last='Franklin'] 2028 5'8" 145 ATH Delbarton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>No need for 8 minute highlight film from freshman ball; well coached, understands cover 2 read and seems to play it appropriately; must tackle with outside leverage consistently; sinks hips when breaking stem of his route; uses hands to catch, will work and comeback to the ball; adjusts to low thrown balls; has sideline awareness; can create separation with pure speed against certain matchups; can high point the ball</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#39: [player_tooltip player_id='1141746' first='Brody' last='Yerves'] 2028 6'2" 180 WR/DB Red Bank Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can vary release at the line to get open; need more strength, got slowed up at the line against a corner he towered over; can fight and make contested catches; uses hands to grab the ball; too tall, thus faster, for freshman ball; tight end might be in his future as he ages</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#38: [player_tooltip player_id='1280846' first='TJ' last='Maset'] 2028 6'1" 235 DL Westfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Strong enough to lock out and create separation at the line of scrimmage; moves well downfield as an offensive lineman; able to get penetration to block PATs; able to use swim to get into the backfield, must train eyes to seek out kickers, gets caught flat footed at times; at his best he is quick enough to chase pulling guards; want to see his pad level be a bit more consistent; matches the hand when he does not get home; looks to bring physicality on offense, often blocks chest-to-chest; very good on rocket screens; extends arms to reach sometime son offense, want to see himcock, load, and punch on a more consistent basis - typically does so when double teaming</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#37: [player_tooltip player_id='1272566' first='Anthony' last='Cristiano Jr.'] 2028 5'7" 160 RB Bergen Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Able to gain the sideline and run; soft hands, used a lot in screen game; tough runner, carries multiple defenders and will lower the shoulder; has shown the ability to skate across the gain and wherewithal to stiff arm to the ground; will slow down and accelerate again in the third level to gain yardage and make defenders miss or power pursue; picks up feet when running to gain yardage; good combination of quickness and speed at this age level; desire to see a second gear when he runs and pass protection; somewhat a slippery back</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#36: [player_tooltip player_id='965096' first='Daniel' last='Williams'] 2028 6'4" 330 OL Camden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Skip pulls and logs, appears line's splits are cut down in order for him to do so; has shown that the picks up blitzers, helps wit his body and keeps eyes downfield; gets great movement on double teams; needs to pursue plays downfield; punches and recoils, sometimes leaves arms out there; has shown strength to toss people; if ball is not out quiick he can get caught extending at times due eto not moving feet that great</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#35: [player_tooltip player_id='1295599' first='Kenneth' last='Sharperson'] RB 5'9" 160 Morristown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can hit top speed quickly from a stop; has balance, to absorbs hits and keep running; shows ability to be shifty; gets good breaks on defense, reads and somewhat twitchy; follows blockers well; can carry weaker tacklers on his back</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#34: [player_tooltip player_id='1597975' first='Robert' last='Rossano'] 2028 5'11" 245 OL Toms River North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Freshman started on varsity of 3x champ; MUST ID HIMSELF ON FILM, specially since he has played either guard spot; pulls with authority and very quickly, able to turn effectively; keeps feet through contact when pulling and looks to level you; finds cloth at second level very well; knows to peel back to the inside when pulling; feet are quick enough to peel back in pass protection when engaged; strong, looks like he grabs cloth at center of opponent's chest to control them; really gifted at pulling, actually has a degree of acceleration as he gets through the hole as a lead blocker; college prospects will likely depend on how much he grows, learning to snap would benefit him</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#33: [player_tooltip player_id='1230512' first='Leonard' last='West'] 2028 5'7" 205 RB Seton Hall Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lowers pad level as he gets through the line and as defenders approach him in the defense's later levels; thick back, willing to cut across the grain; uses stiff arm very well, mushes face of defenders; has solid speed, not break away as he has gotten caught from behind; has power when he runs and I would describe his runs as nifty; looks to break to the sideline a bit more prematurely than I would like; want to see him tuck ball more consistently; safety who will roll down hill and lay the boom; arm tackles will not bring him down; hits like a ton of bricks; probably a varsity linebacker if I had to guess right now</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#32: [player_tooltip player_id='965087' first='Hakim' last='Theresa Jr.'] 2028 5'9" 160 RB Glassboro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Played limited varsity snaps; looks small on film; has a clear second gear once he gets going and the speed to out run a defense; film is solid, showing him used on the perimeter and between the tackles; has the ability to out run a defense; film doe snot show him make people miss or many moves, more cuts in/out of trouble and speed that kills; shifty to the sense that one good cut totally throws off a defenders pursuit angle; moves are mostly made behind the line of scrimmage if in trouble, not in the second level; if you get a hold of him he will go down; not showcased in pass protection or as receiver; unsure where to rank because of size, certainly has speed and skill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#31: [player_tooltip player_id='1597985' first='Zaire' last='Burgess'] 2028 5'4" 160 RB St. Joe's Regional</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Slippery back willing to weave in and out of traffic to set up blockers and take advantage of lanes he sees; cuts sharp and hard; runs hard, tacklers tend to fall off of him; capable of carrying a pile; has a stutter step in/out move that is hard and gets defenders to bite at; quick feet and change of direction; hips shift very well, allowing him to change direction; has smoked a defensive multiple times, not hawked down; need to see him as a pass catcher and protector; need accurate size - if bigger than listed he is a very good prospect; curious if he is a special teams contributor</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 Rankings Release</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-114-101">Ranking Notes, Player #114-101</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-100-91">Ranking Notes, Player #100-91</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-90-89">Ranking Notes, Player #90-81</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-80-71">Ranking Notes, Player #80-71</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-70-61">Ranking Notes, Player #70-6</a>1<br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-60-51/">Ranking Notes, Player #60-51</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-50-41">Ranking Notes, Player #50-41</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-40-31/">Ranking Notes, Player #40-31</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->