Initial 2028 State Rankings: Top 10 Overall

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In-depth evaluations of the top 10 overall prospects in the debut of the 2028 state rankings. </h2>   <p>*Varsity experience is required to be eligble for rankings.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Fakatou comes in as the top ranked 2028 prospect in the state in the initial PRZ state rankings and will be one of the most highly recruited players in the nation. At 6'7” 260 lbs. he is the prototype for the highly coveted Edge prospects that top tier college programs look for. Elite combination of length, athleticism, and speed. His short area burst and ability to bend/move laterally allows him to quickly redirect and pursue the ball with speed. His length and wingspan create a significant advantage, enabling him to maintain separation from blockers and then disengage effectively. Holds 23 offers including top programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Penn State.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MarcusFakatou/status/1860489398288363811 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Elite level talent and athleticism with a strong and well-built frame at 6'0” 215 lbs. Has put on significant weight while maintaining his speed, lateral agility, and acceleration. Can play multiple positions but flashed at RB as a Freshman where he shows high level instincts to be an explosive threat combining that speed and power. He's quick and sudden with his cuts in the short area but can also run through contact and break tackles with good leg drive and strength at the POA. Possesses the open field speed and sustained second gear to break away from defenders once in space. Holding eleven offers from some top tier programs such as Georgia, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Oregon he's advanced in all categories for his age and has established himself as a national recruit.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Top tier safety prospect that was highly effective playing at the #1 ranked school in the country as a freshman. At 6'1” 195 lbs. he possesses great range to play the whole field in coverage or come down hard in run support. He's a high caliber athlete with the speed, fluidity, and route recognition to stay in phase and close separation at all areas of the field. His anticipation and ability to quickly react to his reads sets him apart from his peers. Adds valuable run support with reliable open field tackling ability and strong contact at the POA. Plus ball skills, he flashes great judgement and tracking of the ball in the air. Times out his jump and competes for the ball at the high point with good body control and coordination. Holds 13 D1 offers and will be one of the top ranked safeties in the country. </p>      <p>Towns lands the top QB spot and #4 overall in the debut 2028 state rankings. As a freshman, he checks a lot of boxes that major D1 programs look for in a future QB. Has the physical frame at 6'3” 205 lbs. that blends well with the high caliber arm strength, accuracy, and ability to create. Smooth release with added length to boost extension gives him a live arm capable of throwing with velocity off platform, downfield, or to the boundary. Strong frame, he can absorb contact and escape pressure while maintaining accuracy. Like his ability to stand in the pocket with an oncoming rush and deliver. Plus pocket mobility, he feels pressure and can avoid to create a throwing lane while keeping his eyes downfield for a target. Great ability to anticipate his throws with timing and hit his receivers as they come out of the break. Elite prospect that has collected eight offers.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Rare to see a freshman start at one of the top high school programs in the country and perform as well as Koa did during the 2024 season. Great poise and confidence for the position playing in arguably the toughest league nationwide consistently demonstrating elite level dual threat ability. He moves quickly through his progression processing his reads as the play develops with accuracy. Good spatial awareness and mobility in the pocket, he can step up to avoid a rush or escape to either direction. Excellent footwork and mechanics throughout his drop back and to his release, lands and throws from a well-balanced platform. He's a gifted passer that gets good rotation in his hips and shoulders to put velocity on the ball at the short/intermediate levels or throw downfield. Does a good job mixing up speeds to throw a catchable ball and knows when to throw with touch or velocity. Plus athlete with speed that can make plays with his legs on designed runs, read options, or broken play situations. Six D1 offers and makes a strong case for the top 2028 QB in the state.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Edwards flashed high level ability as a freshman starter for Tustin. At 6'4” 195 lbs. he's a gifted passer that throws a good ball with smooth arm action. Strong ball placement skills with good touch and trajectory on his throws, shows a good ability to layer the ball over second level defenders with accuracy while leading his receiver. Technically sound with his footwork and mechanics in the pocket, leading to his reliable accuracy and effective distribution skills. Pushes the ball vertically with confidence, not afraid to take a shot downfield and has the arm strength to be successful. He's precise to the boundary and across the middle using good timing and anticipation to throw his receivers open. Recruitment has taken off with eight D1 offers that includes six P4 programs. High upside as he continues to develop.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">High caliber DB prospect that has a wide skillset to play any position in the secondary or make explosive plays in the return game. At 6'0” 165 lbs. he's a strider with the speed to transition out of his back pedal and turn and run to cover downfield. A true ball hawk that is savvy in coverage and how he creates positional leverage to play the ball in the air. He's got great reactionary quickness to accelerate out of his break and trigger to the ball. Plus ball skills show up in contested situations, tracks the ball naturally and has a large playmaking radius at the catch point that extends outside his framework. Brings strong contact as a tackler and rarely misses in the open field. Recruitment has skyrocketed since the new year bringing in nine D1 offers and is developing into a national recruit.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Prep Redzone's top ranked 2028 OL prospect in the state. 6'4” 295 lbs. he's got an exceptional skillset that combines his athleticism and natural strength. Good weight distribution in his frame with the bend and movement skills necessary for the top tier college level. Plays with good leverage and pad level coming out of his stance and through contact. He's a violent finisher that accelerates at the POA to overpower opponents and clear running lanes. Plays with an edge but is under control and balanced through the contact point. Great initial quickness off the ball with the short area speed and lateral agility to work to the second level or get out in front as a puller. Very effective blocker in space that takes good angles and can adjust based on defenders movement. Strong hand usage and placement to control opponents and sustain his block throughout the play. Elite level prospect with seven D1 offers that include Auburn, Ole Miss, USC, and Oregon.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Weddle is a dynamic athlete that can impact the game in all three phases. At 6'2” 175 lbs. he currently projects as a safety using his high-level instincts and anticipation skills. Shows a great ability to process his reads and diagnose route combinations as the play develops. Consistently flashes exceptional plant and drive ability coming out of his transition. Routinely beats receivers to the spot at the short/intermediate levels to disrupt throwing lanes and play the ball at the catch point. Efficient with his movement and footwork, he's under control and patient to limit wasted steps and take good angles to quickly close space in coverage and run support. Great route recognition skills, anticipates routes to stay in phase while maintaining leverage to put himself in position to make a play. Does a good job playing through the hands at the catch point to break up passes. Brings controlled violence as a tackler when coming downhill. He's aggressive filling the lane and accelerates through contact to drive ball carriers to the ground. The game comes very naturally to him and appears effortless whether in the secondary or playing QB. Eight D1 offers so far but will see many more high profile programs come through as the cycle progresses.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GaigeLWeddle/status/1858879003748430062 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Ward comes in as the top ranked WR in the initial 2028 state rankings. He brings a compact frame with runaway speed and top tier burst to the position, runs a 10.62 100m. Creates instant separation with a hard drive phase, twitchy change of direction, and lateral quickness to force defenders off balance in coverage. Can stretch the field vertically with speed alone but is also a creative route runner at the short/intermediate levels using stems to attack leverage and head fakes to sell at the break point. Elite level ball skills and body control to adjust to ball flight and make contested receptions in tight spaces with defenders closing in. Explosive playmaker after the catch combining his top end speed and start/stop ability to be elusive in the open field. Pulled in seven offers to date most recently from top end programs Tennessee and North Carolina.</p>