Spring Stock-Risers: 2028 DL Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're over halfway through our coverage of the 2028 rankings update and we're moving to the defensive side of the ball. Because this class is newer (and thus smaller) we're combining our edge rushers and interior defensive linemen into one report. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here, we're looking at which defensive linemen are on the rise. We have five players to look at, three who moved within the rankings and two that made the jump from watchlist-to-ranked. Check out our 2028 DL stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 DL Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1421086"],"_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-684c3ac608422"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alexander dominated as a freshman, earning multiple player of the week nominations and racking up five sacks in eight games. I haven't seen much of his film, but I'm told he's twitchy and explosive. He's a guy I definitely want to see in person before the next rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1272102"],"_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-684c3ac608487"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite playing at the state's highest level as a 240-pound interior defensive lineman, Cuff made some impact as a freshman, a testament to his talent and motor. I'm intrigued by him enough to move him from the watchlist to the rankings, and while I'm not sure whether he stays on the interior or kicks out to the edge, I like him as a high-upside player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616534"],"_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-684c3ac6084d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mobley flew up our rankings after I re-evaluated him in April. The upside is obvious here as he's a long, twitchy edge rusher who hasn't yet filled out his frame. Expect him to continue to develop, both physically and mentally, which means that he should continue to earn more playing time, moving from just six games as a freshman to a potential high-level starter this fall and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1046314"],"_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-684c3ac608513"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Delk will be looking to raise his ceiling with improvement as a pass-rusher, he already has the quickness -- even at 280 -- to shoot gaps and disrupt offenses in the running game. That trait gives him a high floor as young, talented run-defenders are hard to find. Delk is an intriguing prospect at 3-technique, thanks to his size and quickness, and we think he could take the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1047155"],"_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-684c3ac608552"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We love guys who have the combination of early production and a body that looks like it will continue to grow and Chandler has both. While playing as an undersized interior lineman, he bullied offensive linemen as a pass-rusher, and his length and athletic profile suggest he could kick out to edge later in his career. If not, he has the upside as a run-defender to stay on the inside, where teams are always looking for disruptors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->