2028 Takeover: Rising Sophomores with Big Seasons Ahead

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to our 2028 Takeover!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we are watching some of the state's talented freshmen who are set up to have big seasons this upcoming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, make sure to watch their film down below! These guys are seriously talented and deserve more eyes going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["495408"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dbe60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='495408' first='Christian' last='Payne'] is an impressive ATH out of Sparkman who lined up and dominated at EDGE and WR last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Payne is a talented run defender who consistently creates huge stops upfront for little or no gain. Payne quickly works around offensive linemen to get into the backfield and make plays. I'm really impressed by his closing speed and quickness up front- he's an athletic defender who can make high-effort hustle plays all game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Payne uses his size and speed to create explosive plays out wide. He has a good set of hands and is tough to bring down after the catch, it's really impressive watching how well he withstands contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne's a talented player, especially on defense. The way he was able to set the edge and make plays all along the defensive front was really impressive to see from a freshman- he's got a big year ahead. Check out some of what he did last season down below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18165604/6721e10f103397caa319dd36' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc05d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1627830"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc0ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1627830' first='Draden' last='Brown'] is a talented dual-threat QB out of Prattville who had a really impressive freshman season last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown has an impressive arm and can accurately hit targets all over the field. He's quick to process in the pocket and can make high-velocity throws through tight windows to his WRs. I'm equally impressed by his deep passing- he places great touch underneath his throws to deliver some really well-placed passes to targets in stride. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What really separates Brown from other QBs in his class is his speed and ability to create explosive plays on the move. Brown is a threat to turn upfield for huge plays every snap, and has accuracy and arm strength to make some unbelievable throws while on the run. It's difficult for defenses to stop him; he is terrific at evading pressure and makes the most out of every drop-back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1627830' first='Draden' last='Brown'] had some of the most exciting film I saw from a freshman QB this past season, I'm really excited to see what he can do at Prattville over the next few years. Check out some of his tape below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19356528/654e84064ba8580f4cb1cf2b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc0d2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596863"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc117"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1596863' first='Alec' last='Blane'] is a talented WR/DB prospect out of Daleville who has already made his presence felt on both sides of the ball in some big ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At WR, Blane has the speed and quickness to create explosive plays out wide. He's quick to get open, has a good set of hands, and can find a ton of extra yards after the catch with how elusive he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Blane is a physical DB who already has great ball skills out in coverage. He plays with a ton of speed and instincts in the secondary and does a great job getting his hands on the ball to force PBUs and haul in INTs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I really like what I saw from Blane's first season, he's a talented two-way player who can make some high-level plays on both sides of the ball. Check out some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20901229/672f0355ca23f9e56bb14790' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc139"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1137907"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc17b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1137907' first='DeKolbi' last='Smith'] is an up-and-coming S prospect out of Hueytown who made a bunch of impressive plays for his defense last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is an athletic safety who thrives on his instincts in the secondary. He's quick to react, has the speed to cover lots of ground, and is a reliable tackler who creates stops in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm really impressed with Smith's run support. He's great at finding the ball and frequently flies downhill to deliver some really big hits. He's got a big future ahead at Hueytown, it'll be exciting to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of his freshman tape down below: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19447024/679ab77495084a9d61332c50' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc19c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1587234"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc1dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1587234' first='Isaac' last='Harris'] is a versatile OL prospect who has already lined up and produced at LT, RT, and RG as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is a physical force in the trenches who explodes off the line and opens up huge opportunities in the run game. I'm really impressed with how he plays through the whistle- he'll drive defenders several yards back and into the dirt every chance he gets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is just as good in pass protection. He's quick on his feet and has the size and strength to consistently win matchups against pass rushers, providing a clean pocket and plenty of time for his QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris had a really impressive first year, I think he'll be a big piece of Spain Park's offense moving forward. Check out his tape down below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20027269/6717d1119f03885368eed556' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681a3729dc1fd"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->