2028 Rising Stars: Prospects Ranked 16-20

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2028 class continues to impress with emerging talent across the board. Here we spotlight prospects ranked 16-20, athletes who are proving they belong among the state's best. </h2>    Thompson is a high-upside interior DL prospect at 6'2” 255 lbs. He brings a strong combination of leverage, motor, and raw power to the LOS. He plays low and explosive off the snap, using his compact build and natural strength to gain positional leverage and collapse the pocket from the inside. Quick with his hands and active with his feet, he sheds blocks effectively and is able to lock out opponents to maintain separation. Against the run, he holds his ground well and uses solid pad level to anchor and clog interior gaps. High effort player that chases hard in pursuit. Comes in ranked #16 overall and is the third ranked defensive linemen. Expect his recruiting to pop as he gains more experience and exposure.      A highly adaptable DB with the skillset to line up at any spot in the secondary. He excels in coverage and is aggressive in run support, using sharp instincts and anticipation to diagnose plays and react quickly. Play with great pad level and fluid movement, allowing him to change directions and close space efficiently. His ball skills and awareness make him a constant turnover threat, he led the 2028 class with seven interceptions, along with two forced fumbles and four recoveries. Dependable open-field tackler who brings force when he has a clean shot at the ball carrier.      5'10” 185 lbs. Smith is a strong, physical back with room to grow. A true downhill runner, he attacks the LOS quickly and powers through initial contact with strong leg drive. Difficult to bring down on first touch and maintains balance through traffic, often turning short gains into chunk plays. While primarily a power back, he shows flashes of lateral quickness and burst, especially when navigating through tight spaces. Good sustained speed once in space to separate from defenders. Made an early impact as a freshman, finishing second in the 2028 class with 666 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 141 carries. Expect high production from him over the next several years.      Sandhu's recruitment kicked off in a big way this spring with three D1 offers coming in from Sacramento State, Arizona, and Colorado. At 6'2” 165 lbs., he's a long and athletic CB with the frame and upside that college programs covet. He stands out with his ability to cover ground quickly, stay in phase with receivers, and use his length to disrupt passing lanes. He shows smooth hips and good footwork for his size and age, allowing him to transition cleanly in and out of break while staying attached. His height and wingspan give him a natural advantage in contested situations and he plays with the confidence to challenge throws at the catch point. He's instinctive in zone, reads the QB well, and shows a quick trigger when driving on underneath routes. Plays with physicality in coverage and as a tackler. Will see heavy recruiting attention and a bump in rankings as he gains more experience.      A highly athletic and versatile prospect at 5'11” 165 lbs., he impacts the game on both offense and defense with his dynamic skillset. He shows sharp burst and quick twitch movement, changing directions fluidly and accelerating hard out of his breaks. His top end speed and ability to maintain separation make him a vertical threat as at receiver, while that same speed translates to tight coverage and recovery ability as a DB. He tracks the ball naturally, elevates confidently, and consistently competes at the catch point with strong, reliable hands. Transferred to Mountain Pointe out of Hamilton and collected early offers from North Carolina and Marshall. He'll be a fast rising talent as he's able to showcase his talent, speed, and playmaking ability.