2028 Rankings Update: The Stockrisers

When adding 50 players to a rankings class, it's easy to focus on the newcomers.   We get it, given some of the players who have a number next to their name in our system for the first time.   Westside defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='403133' first='Christian' last='Webb-Scott'] is one of the nation's biggest recruits. He made his way to Anderson from Buford (Ga.) and his list of offers mirrors his physical traits.   Barnwell's [player_tooltip player_id='1819832' first='Jayden' last='Peeples'] doesn't have the the national recognition of Webb-Scott, but he's already shown he can be a driving force for the Warhorses for the next three years as both a ball carrier, receiver and defensive back.   Offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1840771' first='Darrenton' last='Jones'] (Aiken) and [player_tooltip player_id='1818427' first='Jayden' last='Cunningham'] (Greenwood) also shot directly into our overall Top 50 in their first appearances, as the two very different players have given us every reason to believe they are exactly that talented, if not more.   But what shouldn't happen is allowing a recency bias to overrule the big picture.   Up and down the rankings, players who were included in one of our earlier two cycles have continued to prove to us just how much they belong, sure, but also that their improvement is worthy of consideration and recognition. Top-20 players like Newberry offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1615022' first='Eli' last='Sanders'] and Christ Church tailback [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] both climbed three spots after showing us that the first versions of them were only the beginning of what they can do.    They're not alone.    TOP 50 MOVERS AND SHAKERS   Three defensive linemen, a linebacker, two receivers and another tailback each climbed at least nine spots from our spring rankings cycle.    They play different positions and span Class 5A ball down to Class A. What they all have in common, however, is increased fulfillment of expectations within their specific systems.    Lamar defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1615075' first='Lamont' last='Williams'] (Up 11 spots to No. 35) had six tackles for loss on or after October 25 of his freshman season last fall. He's kept that momentum going, reaching that figure after just three games so far this fall.    Aiken defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1467819' first='Brandon' last='Poston'] is also up 11 spots (to No. 29) after showing his skill set in a new light this fall. Poston had four quarterback hurries, two sacks and a pair of tackles for loss after just two games this fall.    Fellow edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis'] from Stratford had a climb that started a bit earlier. Davis, now at No. 16 overall after bumping 22 spots, made his presence known at the Carolinas Coaches Combines in the spring and has continue to prove how impressive his abilities are.   Moving to linebacker, and Goose Creek's [player_tooltip player_id='1051659' first='Hayden' last='Denmark'] (up 21 spots to No. 39 overall) is a bit further down the list, but he's long since set the tone for his own potential. After putting up north of 60 stops as a freshman, he's well on pace to surpass that figure in 2025.    Three offensive players are have all moved up, as well.    South Florence receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1615112' first='Semaj' last='Parker'] (up 10 spots to No. 47) is still very much a work in progress. But he's been able to produce without the full weight of expectations on him during the early going here in 2025 against a brutal non-region slate. He's only going to get more comfortable.    The same can be said for Seneca's [player_tooltip player_id='1615026' first='Jeremiah' last='Hunter'] (up 10 spots to No. 15). After an eye-opening freshman season, he's got an offense around him that prevents opponents from focusing on him. It's going to equate to some big nights throughout his sophomore year.   Midland Valley running back [player_tooltip player_id='1820474' first='Preston' last='Smith'] (up nine spots to No. 33) is one of the names pushing this offense to heights. The Mustangs have already beaten three teams they lost to in 2024, and Smith's 124 offensive yards per game and four touchdowns have been a big reason why.    MOVING UP INSIDE THE TOP 10   Two players who were already among our top 10 players in the Class of 2028 rankings solidified their spots, while a third earned is way into that exclusive territory.    Much like Smith, Midland Valley hybrid tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] (up one spot to No. 9, pictured) is putting his game-changing speed on display. After lighting up the GPS trackers during the combines, Gleaton has already caught 19 balls for 307 yards and three touchdowns through the first three weeks of the season.   Speaking of speed on the outside, Daniel's [player_tooltip player_id='1467841' first='Trey' last='Wimbley'] (up one spot to No. 5) isn't wasting any of his. Take a look at his early stat line for 2025: 16 receptions, 369 yards, three touchdowns. He's going to be involved in the kickoff and punt return games more as the season progresses, but the fact that he's already exceeded his number of 100-yard receiving games from his freshman season is of little surprise.   A year ago, Crestwood wasn't always sure the best way to use [player_tooltip player_id='1823496' first='Jayden' last='Martin'] but knew it wanted him on the field. Just on offense, he threw passes, he carried the football and he caught 22 passes. This year, his role is much more defined, and it shows. Over the next few weeks, Martin (Up three spots to No. 10) will likely surpass every one of his receiving numbers from his freshman campaign.    THE NEW NO. 1    When we initially added [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'] to our rankings last Winter, it wasn't as if he was simply given a number next to his name on a whim. What we saw out of him as a freshman was a player more physically gifted than most freshman, especially while playing on the offensive line for a perennial powerhouse that doesn't exactly play a cakewalk schedule.    He debuted inside the overall top five and has climbed a small but steep hill to the No. 1 spot.    Lorenzo is going to write his own ticket, of course, but doing so while lining up opposite of some of the best defensive linemen in the state on a week-to-week basis has to mean something.    His reel is full of clips of looking like an upperclassmen. For our money, we recommend you find plays like the one at the 1:56 mark here. Behind the sticks in a close game against a pretty damn good team and with every reason to let up, we instead get some of Lorenzo's daily routine showing up in a big moment.

When adding 50 players to a rankings class, it's easy to focus on the newcomers.