2028 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get closer and closer to the start of the 2025 high school football season, we have begun a new round of rankings updates. The latest class to be updated in the state of Kentucky is the class of 2028. After taking the past week to break these rankings down by position, I will wrap up my coverage for the class of 2028 with some notable stock risers in our latest rankings update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["951327"],"_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-686e920f123cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='951327' first='Nash' last='Whelan'] unfortunately had his freshman year cut short due to injury but he was very impressive when on the field. On defense, Whelan plays in a strong safety/outside linebacker role where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading the play quickly then using his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Nash finished last season with 22 tackles and three tackles for loss in six games. He has also been taking snaps at quarterback this offseason and has looked impressive in workout videos I've seen. Whelan will definitely be a player to keep an eye on when he returns to the field this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701057"],"_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-686e94489ded0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1701057' first='Jackson' last='Burke'] played in a backup role last season but was impressive when his number was called, completing 29/34 passes for 452 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in eight games. Burke has a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket when needed while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. He also has a strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Jackson should be a quarterback to keep a close eye on as he continues to develop over the next three seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701052"],"_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-686e95d0226c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1701052' first='Charlie' last='Ellison'] is another quarterback who served as a backup as a freshman but he still put together some solid film. Ellison is an accurate passer, showing the ability to get the ball out of his hands quickly and hit his receivers in stride. He has also shown impressive toughness in the pocket, showing the ability to stand tall and deliver passes while taking on contact. Charlie has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and pick up yards on the ground as a ball carrier. Ellison is a player who I expect to have a lot of eyes on him this season as he will likely take the reins as the starting quarterback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701046"],"_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-686e96cacbd09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1701046' first='Shannon' last='Lofton'] is a player who made an immediate impact as a freshman. Last season at Taylor County, Lofton was an electric playmaker on offense. He took a lot of snaps at quarterback where he was most dangerous as a running threat, using his speed and elusiveness in the open field to break away for big gains as any given moment. Lofton finished this past season with 33 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. He also threw for 285 yards and caught 13 passes for 76 yards. Shannon doesn't currently hold any offers but he will be a player to keep an eye on after transferring to Somerset for his sophomore year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1701065"],"_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-686e9730752ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable stock riser in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky is [player_tooltip player_id='1701065' first='Preston' last='Hibbard']. As a freshman, Hibbard played a key role on defense at outside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading the play then using his strength to shed blocks with ease then his speed to get to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Hibbard finished this past season with 51 tackles and two tackles for loss in 11 games. He also made an impact out of the backfield on offense where he has the strength to break tackles with ease and speed to run away from the defense. Preston finished his freshman year with 20 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 165 yards as a freshman and caught seven passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Hibbard will be a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->