2028 Rankings: The New Additions on Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we mentioned when we broke down our offensive additions to the Prep RedZone Class of 2028 rankings, freshmen don't simply appear in the list by accident.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're looking for those players who got on the field early, made an impact and project to improve for the next three years of high school ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not surprisingly, the 16 defensive additions each check those boxes. There is a talent trio of defensive backs from Union County, a huge defensive lineman from Silver Bluff who brings some serious power to the middle of the line and a legacy linebacker who threatened to lead Philip Simmons in tackles. And so much more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players will be names to watch for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615120' first='Keyshawn' last='Kershaw'] DB, Union County - The freshman corner didn't make many huge plays, but he also didn't make many mistakes, either. Along the way, his 38 tackles and six pass break-ups showed just how consistent of a producer he could be despite his relative age.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis'] DL, Stratford - Davis was eased into on-field duty, but his progression was clear. He put up two of his sacks in the final three weeks of the season and has the size to develop into a consistent edge presence for the Knights.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615103' first='Conrad' last='Hampton'] LB, Keenan - Smaller than most outside linebackers, Hampton used his speed en route to 29 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615102' first='Jay'Sean' last='Culp'] DL, Lewisville - The mostly stand-up edge rusher displayed a proficiency for getting into the backfield. He could the switch gears quickly to become more of a traditional linebacker when it came to chasing down ball carriers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615101' first='Jensen' last='Granger'] DL, St. Joseph's - The all-region selection started to show some significant potential in the back half of a season; from October, on, he averaged five tackles per game and recorded two of his three tackles for loss and both of his sacks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] LB, Strom Thurmond - By the fourth week of the season, Wigfall had established himself as one of the team's top tackles. Moving forward, the middle linebacker is a key component for a defense that's bringing back the vast majority of its pieces.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615075' first='Lamont' last='Williams'] DL, Lamar - The extremely productive basketball forward (he nearly averages a double-double on the hardwood) also found a home as an edge rusher for the Silver Foxes' football program. He had 22 quarterback hurries, four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss for Lamar in the fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615072' first='Levar' last='Gilchrist'] DB, South Aiken - Gilchrist jumped out of the gate hot in the fall and had a 10-tackle performance in just his second varsity game. He was around the ball even more than his 60 tackles would indicate, and he's especially strong in run support while coming up from the back of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615051' first='Jabari' last='Corbett'] DB, Brookland-Cayce - All the hybrid defender did as a freshman was lead the Bearcats in tackles (68) and tackles for loss (six). He's still very raw and mostly operating on instinct, but those instincts are very, very good. The next rung for him could be scary good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1582108' first='Trevor' last='Tonon'] LB, Philip Simmons - The Iron Horses aren't just returning one highly effective Tonon brother in 2025, but two. Along with big brother Brady (126 tackles, 12 tackles for loss), Trevor and his 91 stops, two sacks and a fumble recovery keeps what Philip Simmons has been doing on that side of the ball rolling.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615047' first='Kyle' last='Jackson'] LB, Hillcrest - Despite not playing a varsity game for Hillcrest until October 12, Jackson finished with 45 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. He by far leads the returning Rams in tackles per game, and his numbers should jump in Year 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615123' first='King' last='Henderson'] DB, Union County - The safety immediately took on a leadership role that asked him to help align up everyone in the back seven. He responded by also putting up 53 tackles, five pass break-ups, a pick and plenty of positional upside over the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615038' first='Emerson' last='James'] DB, Byrnes - James is a three-sport athlete who simultaneously takes football extremely seriously. He's a film junkie who made the most of early playing time by putting up 38 tackles, two interceptions (including a 75-yard pick-six) and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615024' first='MJ' last='Respass'] LB, Ashley Ridge - The true middle linebacker got some excellent on-the-job training as a freshmen, when he lined up alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012625' first='Dylan' last='Polansky']</strong> and was able to finish third on the team with 87 total tackles. He's already got excellent measurements and the tools to make them count.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'] DL, Silver Bluff - The imposing 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive tackle put his natural strength on display early and often, tossing would-be blockers and clogging up the middle of the line. The best part of his game is that he's got so much room for growth. That's not what Bulldogs' opponents want to hear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615015' first='Warnell' last='Prew'] LB, South Florence (pictured) - Prew didn't just suit up for the state champion Bruins. He was fourth on the squad in tackles (79) while also recording three tackles for loss and a sack. He fits in extremely well for a linebacking unit that will mostly be back in full force in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->