2028 Stock-Risers: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is upon us, but we're not quite finished with our 2028 rankings update coverage. An update based more on <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/august-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-class/">moving players in than moving players up</a>, we don't have a ton of stock-risers in the 2028 class. However, we still have some players who rose in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier this week, I covered the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2028-stock-risers-offense/">offensive players who moved up in the rankings</a>. Here, I'm breaking down the 2028 defensive stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 Defensive Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687752"],"_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-68a8ce641c23e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is a fast-rising edge rusher who earned his first college offers right after we ranked him in the top 25 in May. He earned a few from Power Four schools, further proving that we're correct in our evaluation. He's long and explosive, so expect him to see more of the field than he did as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["950969"],"_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-68a8ce641c2b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's always a big deal with SEC teams step in to offer a scholarship to a rising sophomore linebacker and Peterson projects as one of the top players in the class, regardless of position. He's big, fast, and can cover, three things that make him a projectable Power Four starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["951250"],"_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-68a8ce641c305"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Foley's size and speed stand out and he's a guy we continue to feel good about in the rankings. As a freshman, he picked off two passes, impressive given he was projected to be a high-level run defender first and foremost. This season, expect more out of him in terms of on-field production, should he get more opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1646355"],"_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-68a8ce641c356"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gibbs is in line for more playing time this year after playing on occasion as a freshman. He has good movement skills and flashed ball skills with an interception last year. Providence Day asks for a lot of flexibility out of its defensive backs, and Gibbs could play all over the back end of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687769"],"_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-68a8ce641c3a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard not to be enamored with Jarrett's upside as the young defender is more of an athlete than a refined player right now. At his age, that's probably a plus. He's a guy who is going to get better as he learns the pass-rushing craft. This offseason, he's gotten bigger and stronger, and he should improve as he gets older.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2028 Stock-Risers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Watson</strong>, DB, West Charlotte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687754' first='RJ' last='Sherrod']</strong>, Ath., Piedmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666655' first='Leo' last='Ntasin']</strong>, LB, Ballantyne Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='422544' first='Jamil' last='Watson']</strong>, Ath., West Charlotte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->