Spring Rankings Update: Behind the Scenes of the 2028 Class

There's a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into each rankings update. Some of the process is the same for every update, but some things are unique to each class and time of year. We updated our rankings for the rising sophomore class in June, so here we're pulling back the curtain and letting fans in on what goes into the rankings.   In this special piece, I'm looking at what went into building the spring update, going behind the scenes of the 2028 class rankings. It's early, but we already have developing themes and thoughts. What is there still to learn as the 2028 class approaches its sophomore year?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Behind the Scenes of the 2028 Class</h2>   It's still early, but the 2028 class has impressed and some of the top guys are earning offers at college camps. Some themes are developing throughout the rankings. Here, I'll explore some interesting numbers and key storylines for the class of 2028.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What's the Point of the Spring Update?</h3>   Every rankings update serves its purpose, and the late spring rankings update is no different.   In North Carolina, we actually get a later start on our young classes, at least publicly. We don't drop an initial class update until after it's freshman season. We'd rather display patience than have to correct mistakes that can come if we rank players too early. So, this is the first 2028 rankings update since we dropped our initial 2028 rankings in late January.   Since then, we've gotten eyes on hundreds of players, either in camps or at spring practices. We have a better idea of future depth charts and we have a strong idea of some players who will emerge as sophomores (More on that later).   When we updated the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2026-rankings/">2026 class</a>, the goal was what many scouts in other states refer to as "market corrections." Basically, the goal is to set up our rising senior class for the home stretch as we have a better feel for how college coaches feel about certain players. The goal of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 class update</a> a couple of weeks ago was to add as many new players as possible, as many talented rising juniors are slated to move from JV to varsity.   The goal with the 2028 class is a combination of the above. There are a few players who rocket up the board after blowing up on the recruiting trail, but far more players find a home in our rankings thanks to potential or a strong spring camp showing. Sure, we missed some guys who thrived as freshmen, but the vast majority of new additions are guys without a ton of varsity film who impressed us in camp settings.   Some players, like Cardinal Gibbons linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1044292' first='Skylar' last='Alston'], rocketed up the rankings after blowing up on the recruiting trail. Others, like Kings Mountain [player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens'], impressed in spring camp, leading to a big jump. Still others, like Mallard Creek edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1616534' first='Geremiah' last='Mobley'], have film that caught the eyes of our staff on second review, leading to a boost.   Some players came out of nowhere, going from completely off our radar to earning FBS offers ([player_tooltip player_id='1636010' first='Tylan' last='Grimes'], [player_tooltip player_id='1246669' first='Ephraim' last='Holmes']) while some talented 2027 players reclassified to 2028 ([player_tooltip player_id='496368' first='Charles' last='Ibe']). Basically, a lot went into expanding and refining this class.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Numbers</h3>   Recently, I've started tracking stats on rankings updates and I dropped several on Twitter earlier on Monday, just before rankings dropped. Take a look at some of the numbers for this update:   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/whelms21/status/1932122046281990209 </div></figure>   To add further context, I'm really proud of this update. I don't want to throw shade at other outlets, but some of the bigger powers in the recruiting industry 2028 watchlists featuring 100-150 players nationally, almost all of whom have dozens of early Power Four offers. At Prep Redzone, we have 131 ranked players in the 2028 class, most without a single college offer to their names.   Plenty will change, but I can't recall another class with these numbers in my six years of writing for Prep Redzone. Below   If you have other questions or want me to further break down some of the numbers, just reach out on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">From Off-the-Radar to Top 50</h3>   I'm going to list out some players who hit certain criteria in this rankings update. First up, the "out of nowhere" guys who went from not being in the initial 2028 rankings or watchlist to ranked in the top 50:   [player_tooltip player_id='1246669' first='Ephraim' last='Holmes'], OL, Palisades   [player_tooltip player_id='1060044' first='Kingston' last='Curry'], Ath., Country Day   [player_tooltip player_id='1687752' first='Tyson' last='Williams'], Edge, Shelby   [player_tooltip player_id='1636010' first='Tylan' last='Grimes'], WR/DB, West Forsyth   [player_tooltip player_id='1687735' first='Antonio' last='Flowers'], DL, West Mecklenburg   [player_tooltip player_id='1687755' first='Knowledge' last='Echols'], WR, Ambassador Christian   [player_tooltip player_id='866141' first='Charlie' last='Puckett'], LB, Hough   [player_tooltip player_id='1687742' first='Damo'n' last='Broussard'], RB, Carson   [player_tooltip player_id='1646236' first='Malachi' last='Burt'], DB, Clayton   [player_tooltip player_id='1687743' first='Rhett' last='Decker'], RB, Ambassador Christian   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Movers</h3>   While this 2028 class update was heavier on new players (inevitably limiting the potential for large upward moves) there were a few players who flew up our board, despite already being ranked last update. Here's every player who moved up at least five spots in the rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='950969' first='Ryan' last='Peterson'], LB, Hough (+69)   [player_tooltip player_id='1616534' first='Geremiah' last='Mobley'], Edge, Mallard Creek (+36)   [player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens'], WR, Kings Mountain (+23)   [player_tooltip player_id='1044292' first='Skylar' last='Alston'], LB, Cardinal Gibbons (+13)   [player_tooltip player_id='548207' first='Grayson' last='Williams'], OL, Southeast Raleigh (+6)   [player_tooltip player_id='1616304' first='Teo' last='McPhatter'], RB, Princeton (+6)   [player_tooltip player_id='1616532' first='Connor' last='Brinton'], RB, Asheboro, (+5)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Watchlist-to-Top 100</h3>   Finally, I love highlighting watchlist-to-ranked movement. To me, it's the best example of everyone winning. Many players get placed on the watchlist as we wait for them to breakout. The guys who move from watchlist to well within the rankings often do that based on an outstanding camp performance or leave us otherwise impressed after an in-person or deep-dive film evaluation. Here's a list of players who jumped from the watchlist into the top 100.   [player_tooltip player_id='1616122' first='Jabraylan' last='Patterson'], QB, West Iredell (40)   [player_tooltip player_id='1393949' first='Zion' last='Dobson'], DB, East Forsyth (50)   [player_tooltip player_id='1616141' first='Jonah' last='Holloway'], DB, Hough (62)   [player_tooltip player_id='1421086' first='Oliver' last='Alexander'], Edge, North Raleigh Christian (64)   [player_tooltip player_id='1421089' first='Garrett' last='Young'], LB, Franklin (91)   [player_tooltip player_id='866234' first='Kylen' last='Crisp'], QB, Williams (92)   [player_tooltip player_id='1608472' first='Logan' last='Davis-Hilton'], WR, Mount Pleasant (94)   There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow and I on the 2028 rankings over the next two weeks. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.

There's a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into each rankings update. Some of the process is the same for every update, but some things are unique to each class and time of year. We updated our rankings for the rising sophomore class in June, so here we're pulling back the curtain and letting fans in on what goes into the rankings.