2028 Rankings Update: 5 Of Alabama’s Top Sophomore ATHs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to our 2028 Rankings coverage!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're watching some of the new and talented ATHs in our class of 2028!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You won't want to miss out on this group! Make sure you watch some of their tape and look out for them this upcoming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1642544"],"_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-68824a280335a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1642544' first='Labralyn' last='Williams'] is an extremely talented ATH out of Daphne who's coming in as our #2 ATH and #19 overall prospect this update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Williams is incredibly quick and has great vision he uses to dominate when the ball is in his hands- it doesn't matter if he's coming out of the backfield, running out wide, or returning kicks, Williams does an excellent job navigating the open field to carve up defenses for huge gains.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm seriously impressed with Williams's skill out wide- he's a talented route runner who can route up DBs for huge catches downfield, while also creating explosive plays off of shorter routes with how he uses his speed and elusiveness after the catch.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last fall, Williams recorded 7 carries for 50 yards and one TD on the ground, and 21 receptions for 390 yards and 2 TDs through the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has already generated significant interest from P4 programs, picking up offers from FSU, Georgia Tech, and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do yourself a favor and check out some of Williams film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17608614/67202dfddc3676514e95f33f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688253d416b2a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1261421"],"_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-68824a28033d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1261421' first='Zion' last='Coger'] is a talented ATH out of Jasper who's landed as our #5 ATH and #40 overall prospect in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Coger is highly athletic- he has great speed and acceleration, can make defenders miss, and plays with a ton of physicality out of the backfield. Coger has great initial quickness but explodes with speed once he's past the line of scrimmage- he's patient in the backfield, waits for blocks and rushing lanes to develop, then finally cuts through to create massive plays. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Coger's acceleration in the open field is extremely impressive; he can completely separate from defenses within just a few seconds, consistently turning upfield and creating massive plays on the ground. I think what impresses me most about Coger is how he pairs his vision and speed together- it doesn't matter if he's on offense, defense, or special teams, he sees the field incredibly well and quickly finds ways to create impact plays wherever he lines up.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coger had a great freshman year, ending the season with 71 carries for 726 yards and 8 TDs on the ground. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coger has put together some great film from last year, give him a watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20306403/673b921b2f77541d74b74382' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688253d416b95"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678804"],"_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-68824a2803469"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1678804' first='Jordan' last='Thomas'] is a talented two-way prospect out of St. Clair County who's coming in as our #6 ATH and #64 overall prospect in the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Thomas is a dynamic WR who can carve up defenses for explosive plays all over the field. He's quick on his feet, is a talented route runner, and has the hands and speed to haul in contested passes and produce a ton after the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Thomas seriously impresses me in coverage. He has a high football IQ and great instincts that let him know where he needs to be at all times. If you throw his way, good luck; he has the ball skills and hands to either break up or pick off passes and take them to the house anytime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A little while back, Thomas picked up his first offer from UNA! With his talent, I'm sure more will head his way soon. He has a bright future ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do yourself a favor and watch 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/3/20440934/673294fea95ccf78a9375b8a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688253d416bf1"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159696"],"_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-688253d418b77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1159696' first='Mehkii' last='Billingsley'] is a talented ATH out of Thompson who's climbed up to become our #7 ATH and #69 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Billingsley has an impressive skill set that translates really well to both positions. He plays with a lot of speed and twitch, has a great set of hands, and can see the field really well, consistently finding open lanes and following his blockers for huge plays both out of the backfield and out wide.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Billingsley has impressive contact balance and can take on multiple defenders before being taken down, pairing that with his speed and vision makes him an explosive threat out of the backfield at all times. On top of that, Billingsley is a reliable option out of the slot who made a ton of huge plays off of jet sweeps, RPOs, and more last fall.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I won't be surprised if Billingsley has a huge sophomore year, he showed a ton of great things on tape and will likely climb up our list even more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Billingsley put together some really impressive tape from last season, make sure you give it a watch below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17892140/67638b279228af43572819a0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688253d418bba"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-68824a28034e9"} --> <!-- 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 a talented ATH out of Sparkman who's coming in as our #9 ATH and #74 overall prospect this update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Payne has a ton of talent. I really think we will see him continue to dominate the state over the next few seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the meantime, 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/3/18165604/6721e10f103397caa319dd36' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688253d418c2e"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2411","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2446","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688253d419420"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->