Making Sense of the 2028 Watch List

<p>I have a lot of thoughts about the Class of 2028. This class is a priority to me for many reasons. The first and biggest reason is that I want to get ahead of this class in order to pinpoint more college talent than ever. Every year, I miss 5-10 really good players, and I want to limit that. Second, and honestly, I now have a massive spreadsheet with all of my 2026 evaluations and a few of my 2027s. I want to make sure I have a good handle on the class of 2028 so I can send my evals to any D1 who wants to hear what I have to say. <br>With that said, here are my general thoughts on every Watch List position, and a word on five players currently on the Class of 2028 Watch List. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterbacks</h2>   <p>This QB class has yet to take shape. Well, like any class, most of the best-of-the-best have already been revealed. I have a good idea of who will "go D1", but a much worse idea of who could be the next great QB in the GLIAC. There's still plenty of time to grow (both literally and figuratively) in this class. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">I recently watched Lou at a Westside QBs training. Honestly, he was much better than expected. Usually, Class of 2028 QBs are still quite raw (struggle mightily with mechanics, all-around IQ, and consistency). </p>   <p>Lou is ahead of the curve in all areas. For one, he's a true 6'2" and is built way better than most 2028s. In addition, he has solid mechanics + arm strength and is able to push the ball downfield with relative ease. He did miss some throws, but that is expected from such a young prospect. </p>   <p>There are a lot of similar players on the current Watch List. Still plenty of room to grow, but he's well on his way. Lou is a player who I am very confident will develop into a great Varsity football player, and I especially think this after an in-person eval. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Running Backs</h2>   <p>I likely need to do a lot more research regarding this running back class. Right now, nobody truly stands out on the watch list. We have a lot of players from big schools who should hypothetically develop into great prospects, but I really don't know until I watch someone closely in person. No comment just yet on the 2028 Running Back class. Though, I promise, this class and this position will be a priority to me. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receivers</h2>   <p>This Wide Receiver class has a chance to be our best in a decade. At the top, we already have three solid Power 4 prospects. Watching their tape, I completely agree with that evaluation. <br>The Watch List also has a ton of talent, and many of these players should be ranked during the next update. By the time 2028 rolls around, I expect this position to be the deepest in the class. A LOT of D1/D2 talent is projected. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of those under-the-radar guys who I expect to have a great 2025 season. Last season, Connor demonstrated good speed and great hands at the JV level. His tape displays many jump ball W's, and his skills down the field should translate nicely to the Varsity level. Finally, Connor has a few good highlights at running back and kick/punt return. </p>   <p>Clean up those routes and practice contact balance open-field skills, and Connor could be an excellent Varsity football player and a good college prospect. It's too early for me to try and predict his college value, though. </p>   <p>Lots of WRs just like Connor on the Watch List. A few great, Varsity-ready skills, but still a few things to clean up before a breakout Varsity season. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tight Ends</h2>   <p>In 2023, we had Parachek. In 2024, we had Prieskorn. 2025, Savoury. In 2026, we have Keyes and in 2027 we have Niemi. Every single year, we have at least one elite Power 4-committed Tight End. </p>   <p>Right now, I'm not sure who our elite 2028 Tight End is. We have a few intriguing prospects, but I expect many of them to end up switching their primary position to WR. That said, our Elite TE is probably out there, and may have their breakout season this coming fall. There's also a good chance we discover some great TEs in the upcoming months at prospect camps. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line</h2>   <p>Offensive Line is a position where we usually have around 6-10 Power 4 commits. Plus, I've seen more offensive linemen get late recruiting attention than any other position. The Watch List currently has nine prospects, and I expect two of these prospects to eventually enroll at a Power 4 college. That said, some of the best offensive linemen in the class have probably yet to be discovered by us. Another position that I need to get in front of this offseason. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Line</h2>   <p>This defensive line class is beginning to take shape, but man, this is another one of those positions where it's a little too early to tell. Though, I'm confident that this position will end up being one of the best in this class. We have a few prospects who've been featured on Prep Redzone Next, while other prospects are newer to us but had extremely promising freshman seasons. I'm expecting a very large D2 group, with a few D1s at the very top. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Landon has phenomenal size for the position, and he has an opportunity to develop into one of Michigan's premier defensive ends. </p>   <p>His freshman season highlights show some of those flashes, but, like most Watch List players, he has a long way to go. For one, I love the defensive highlights. Landon plays fast, and got into the backfield a good number of times. Plus, he has a couple highlights at TE. If I catch Landon at an offseason event, he could be ranked sooner rather than later. Though, as it stands now, I'll probably wait until this Fall until I'm comfortable ranking him (same with most of the Watch List). </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebackers</h2>   <p>I used to struggle greatly with evaluating linebackers until I understood what colleges want out of a high school recruit. There are three aspects that are incredibly important to consider. </p>   <p>A. Size</p>   <p>B. Athleticism </p>   <p>C. Play Speed</p>   <p>Grade well in all three areas, and you're a D1 prospect. Grade well in two, and you may be D2. or D3 Though, be good in just just one area, and you don't have a great chance of succeeding at the collegiate level. Right now, I only see two prospects that grade decently in these categories, and those are our only two ranked linebackers. Even so, I think there's a great chance that one of those ranked guys end up going D2 rather than D1 (absolutely nothing wrong with that). On the Watch List, I have a few guys that I have a close eye on, but none of them stand out amongst the pack just yet. Well, maybe the guy I'll talk about now. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">No highlights on Hudl from Troy, but I know he had an incredible freshman season. </p>   <p>Articles, tweets, and coaches comments rave about Troy. I've heard from multiple sources how talented of a football player Troy is. The few clips I can find show great speed, and far above-average contact balance and vision for a freshman football player. Not to mention, he's a dang good defender too. <br>Linebacker, running back, whatever- Troy is going to be a staple football player at Mason for a long time. Though, without a hudl highlight tape, I'm not confident enough to rank him. But from a recruiting standpoint, he's all good. No freshman highlight tape right now isn't a big deal, but he definitely needs to post his sophomore tape much sooner in the offseason. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Backs</h2>   <p>Another position that has a chance to be one of the best of the 2020s. We have two ranked players who I think will play Division 1 college football, with three on the watch list, all of whom I'm confident will develop into great players. Many, many more players will emerge in the coming months. It shouldn't be too hard to find them- I just need to put in the work to do so! </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jay'Ar has superb lower-level highlights.</p>   <p>His first highlight is a 4th-quarter game-sealing interception against Detroit Catholic Central. Not much to say there other than great zone coverage, great job keeping eyes on the QB, and great job picking off that ball. Second, a great kick return TD against Chippewa Valley. I especially like seeing speed and change of direction from a DB. Then, his tape leads into a couple great tackles and one more kick return. </p>   <p>It's apparent to me that Jay'Ar has the athletic ability to be a contributor at the Varsity level. The only big quesiton for him and other Watch List players is "How soon will he be able to contribute?" <br>In Jay'Ar's case, as soon as he's able to contribute on Varsity, he'll likely earn a ranking from me as well as college looks. When you play on one of the best programs in the state in the best league in the state, eyes will be on you. I expect Jay'Ar to be a future college prospect and possibly a Varsity contributor next season. </p>

I have a lot of thoughts about the Class of 2028. This class is a priority to me for many reasons. The first and biggest reason is that I want to get ahead of this class in order to pinpoint more college talent than ever. Every year, I miss 5-10 really good players, and I want to limit that. Second, and honestly, I now have a massive spreadsheet with all of my 2026 evaluations and a few of my 2027s. I want to make sure I have a good handle on the class of 2028 so I can send my evals to any D1 who wants to hear what I have to say.
With that said, here are my general thoughts on every Watch List position, and a word on five players currently on the Class of 2028 Watch List.