TN2028 Off-Season Stock Risers (Defense/Athletes)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our in-state 2028 recruiting class is still developing and growing but these defensive prospects and some athletes took advantage of the off-season to improve themselves and boost their stocks. Expect to hear more about these players throughout the coming season and beyond! </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1177837' first='Ayden' last='Woodruff'] - BGA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ever since Woodruff stepped onto the field last year as a freshman, this Mid-Tennessee product was deemed as a college guy. His off-season has shown that as the Wildcats sophomore landed several big time offers with continued interest coming his way. Woodruff is an impressive looking young man that already looks the part of a college guy and he's still forming into his body, which excites me and collegiate coaches. The way the Cats big man is built shows me versatility. Woodruff could work as a traditional defensive end, slide inside as a 3-tech or even add more weight and form into a nose tackle. The sky is the limit here with Woodruff. His coming sophomore season should be the breakout party I and others are looking forward to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1565681' first='Devin' last='Phillips'] - East Nashville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Recruiting interest is definitely there for this Nashville based big man that saw a strong surge in his stock during the off-season. Phillips is an interesting prospect that is being looked at for the defensive line but I could see a scenario or two where college coaches may like him for the O-line as well. The Eagles sophomore is well built physically with broad shoulders and a wide radius that eats up a lot of space. Phillips is a good athlete too that moves well laterally while being lite on his feet. He presents a game style that could be hard for opposing offensive linemen to deal with. It will be interesting to see how he has developed this off-season and what product he puts on the field this Fall because I see tons of potential with Phillips and how good he can be down the road.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1093181' first='Graham' last='Kesner'] - Briarcrest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The offers haven't arrived yet for this Memphis based prospect but they should in time, especially after an off-season where Kesner pushed his game to another level, showing the upside to compete on the college stage one day. Standing roughly 6'1 220 pounds, Kesner looks the part of a future college middle backer with a body built to withstand itself on the next level. He is a good athlete too that should during the off-season his ability to cover in space. The biggest thing for Kesner moving forward is to continue enhancing his agility while increasing his speed. The Saints sophomore should be stepping into a starting role this Fall as well, so I should get a better idea of who Kesner is going past the 2025 season and beyond.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1593381,"width":"245px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/gkesner.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-1593381" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1672075' first='Cooper' last='Jones'] - MTCS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Jones was a starter last season as a freshman and had a strong debut but I feel like his best football days are ahead of him, especially after watching him train and develop over the off-season months. The first thing that pops off to me watching Jones perform is his football intelligence. This guy is a leader, a team first guy that does all the little things correctly and someone you don't have to worry about giving his all. The Cougars linebacker is a solid athlete too that can cover in space. There is much to work on however for this Murfreesboro area prospect as Jones must continue to increase his speed while developing his body further and adding more weight but the intelligence and desire to be good are already there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1028041' first='Jeramy' last='Laster'] - Beech&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>During the spring into summer months, Laster became one of the bigger stock risers we have from our #TN2028 class that saw several big offers come his way with increased interest coming from many others. Most of his offers to this point were given for him to play receiver in college but due to his athleticism and versatility, I could see where some college coaches may like Laster for defensive back as well. A lot will be learned about this Mid-Tennessee product in the Fall where Laster should take on a bigger role as his athletic skill set will be needed. The Bucs sophomore needs time in the weight room to form his body but also must continue developing his skill set as well but I like the raw tools and upside for the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins'] - Springfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- One of the biggest stock risers of all our in-state sophomores was this Mid-Tennessee defensive back that is dripping with potential. Cobbins is an ultra talented defender that brings nice size, length and athleticism to the defensive backfield that certainly translates well to the collegiate gridiron. The Yellow Jackets defensive back saw an up-tick with his recruitment during spring and summer months, gaining offers from some top level programs but I'm curious as to what position they may like him at the most. I can see where Cobbins develops at either cornerback or safety in the future. I personally like his upside best at field safety but I can see where he forms himself into a cover guy as well. There is a lot to like about this #TN2028 product and how good he can be by the time we reach his senior season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1732239,"width":"219px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/jcobbins.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1732239" style="width:219px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1029798' first='Xavier' last='Bowman'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Bowman has been on the recruiting radar for a little while now but this off-season things took off as this Knoxville area defensive back saw his offer list expand with opportunities coming from across the country. What is appealing about this rising sophomore is his physical attributes and upside to handle several roles within the secondary. The Fighting Irish defender has the tools and upside to develop nicely outside at cover corner but could certainly excel at field safety as well. Bowman has started to grow into his body as well, which I'm sure is appealing to collegiate coaches. More work must be done but early on, Bowman looks like a top tier corner prospect that should continue to see his stock soar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This past off-season was big for this Knoxville area two-way prospect as Johnston landed several strong offers while continuing to boost his stock as a prospect that could develop at two different positions. Potential is on the table for Johnston to develop himself at either receiver or safety but a lot of that depends on his body growth and enhanced speed. The Fighting Irish sophomore has really started to grow into his body well during the off-season while working on that needed speed for the college game. His ball skills and instincts are strong, why I like him for either side of the ball but regardless, Johnston is a talented young man that should get better as he continues to mature.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1565624' first='Carter' last='Charapata'] - Chatt. Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a productive freshman season, Charapata cruised into the off-season to show off his upside and he did just that by adding new offers and taking his stock to another level with several strong camp performances. The Chargers sophomore safety went into the off-season as a two-way player in my eyes but showed that his game and overall upside could fit best on defense. Charapata is an athletic young man that moves well with quick feet but also has an imposing size that fits well on the highest level of college football. He needs to continue adding more bulk to his frame but I really like the tools I see along with the upside to get better and better as he continues to develop and grow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1732240,"width":"257px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/ccharapata.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1732240" style="width:257px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1078776' first='Derrick' last='Dragoo'] - Blackman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- A wild card that some may not have on their radar now but should over time is this Murfreesboro area two-way prospect that put in a lot of work this off-season to further himself on the offensive side of the ball. Dragoo is a naturally athletic guy with good size and length that could fit well down the road at edge linebacker but he could also develop into a flex tight end as well. During the off-season months, Dragoo showed how dangerous he is on offense as someone that runs mature routes but also catches just about anything thrown his way. His physical size and athletic traits could work on both sides of the ball, it just depends on how much further growing he does. The Blaze sophomore has much development to go but he pushed his stock forward in a big way where I can see college interest and offers coming his way somewhere down the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Other Stock Risers: </strong>(LB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177918' first='Jacob' last='Kreis'] </strong>- Lipscomb Acad., (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617036' first='Miguel' last='Moore'] </strong>- Southwind, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031890' first='Braylen' last='Gibbs'] </strong>- Knox. Catholic, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599115' first='Malek' last='Mason'] </strong>- Germantown, (Ath) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669977' first='J'Mari' last='Hall'] </strong>- Columbia Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1732241,"width":"276px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/xbowman.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1732241" style="width:276px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->