2028 Rankings Update: Spring Stockrisers

A week ago, the Prep RedZone Class of 2028 rankings included a mere 52 names. After this cycle, we've boosted that figure by an additional 29 players.   Some of them gave us reason to move them up higher than others.   But when it comes to any cycle, how we continue to evaluate the ones who were already there drives the bus. For the rising sophomore class, there were eight in particular who got some extra mileage out of their relative short stints in the high school ranks.   We dug through their freshman film, conducted interviews with coaches, watched them during offseason events and started getting a much more clearer picture of what they could become. It led us to this.   Our Stockrisers for the Class of 2028 rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'] DL/OL, Silver Bluff (Up two spots)   Chavous' game is power, and he brings it in droves. You don't play in the middle of a line as a freshman without it. But the best part is that Chavous is only going to continue to get stronger with age and more time in the weight room. Time is only the 6-foot-2, 330-pounder's side. And if he uses it wisely, this is a player who should prove over the months and years again that he has every opportunity to stay within our overall Top 10.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615084' first='Tripp' last='Gallus'] QB, Hanahan (Up four spots)   How the Hawks utilize Gallus' size in his second year is going to make his first year look paltry by comparison. His height allows him to see the field pre-snap, and he completed 66 percent of the passes he threw. He also showed how valuable he could be as a runner. As the playbook grows for him, his 8.2 yards per completion will, as well. Simply, development seems like a guarantee. The only question is how fast it happens after his first high school offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582108' first='Trevor' last='Tonon'] LB, Philip Simmons (Up six spots)   With three Tonon brothers (Brody, Trevor and Chase) all expected to start for the Iron Horses this fall, there's bound to be some confusion on which of them made a play on any certain down. Let the post-game film sort out all of the numbers. What it will show for on Trevor's end is a player who can easily flirt with 100-plus tackles for the next three seasons. Think that's a gamble? He had 91 last year as it was, so it's not even a stretch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] WR, Berkeley (Up seven spots)   When Mitchel left James Island for Berkeley back in the Winter, it was clear he was going to be joining a team that threw it more than the Trojans did. How quickly the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder has adjusted to his new digs, though, has been a pleasant surprise for the Stags coaches. He's not the necessarily the best receiver Berkeley has had in the last two years, but his size at this position doesn't come through this program often. He expands this offense by being on the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1467841' first='Trey' last='Wimbley'] WR, Daniel (Up nine spots)   The amount of change at Daniel is undeniable. There's a new head coach, several offensive standouts transferred to other programs and a small number of players either came back or transferred in to the Central school. What's remaining the same is that Daniel will have a bonafide quarterback throwing the ball and an ultra-experienced target in Wimbley who has defied his youth. This is a player who averaged 20 yards per reception.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis'] DL, Stratford (Up nine spots, pictured)   It's one thing to take a coach's word for exactly how big a young player might be. It's another to see it in person among a group of his peers. Davis showed up to the Carolinas Coaches Combine at Woodland and was verified at 6-foot-2.375 and 210 pounds. He then clocked a sub-4.9 40 and did 20 reps on the 185-pound bench. He is simply more physically developed than most players his age. And it shows.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615056' first='Ford' last='Wallace'] QB, Hartsville (Up 12 spots)   Our first impression of Ford from his debut start last fall included a bit of wow factor. He threw for 234 yards (11-of-13 passing) and four touchdowns in a playoff victory when the starter was out for a night. A quick evaluation led him to our rankings last cycle. Taking some time and seeing him in person this spring told us while the yardage and the touchdown totals might not have been his own personal status quo, it might not be far off.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615072' first='Levar' last='Gilchrist'] DB, South Aiken (Up 13 spots)   We're going to go more into Gilchrist's speed in a later post, but trust us when we tell you that he can move. He's also bigger than we were initially told and displays a mentality toward the game that involves rarely taking plays off. It's why he finished second on the team in tackles last year despite the Thoroughbreds missing some key pieces at times. Gilchrist covers a lot of ground and could become a true multi-faceted defender for South Aiken.

A week ago, the Prep RedZone Class of 2028 rankings included a mere 52 names. After this cycle, we've boosted that figure by an additional 29 players.