Early impression: 2028 Midseason Film Evaluations

Halfway through the 2028 season, a number of sophomores in Western PA have gone from “impressive freshmen” to legitimate cornerstones of their programs. On film, they're not just holding their own, they're dictating games. Here's a look at some of the top evaluations so far.    [player_tooltip player_id='1265772' first='Brandon' last='Murphy'] has quickly become one of the most feared players in the area and it is rare to say that about a sophomore. Offensively he already projects as a prototype X receiver. He has the size, length, and body control to consistently win in contested situations and climb the ladder to make acrobatic catches. What makes him special is what he does after the ball is in his hands. He runs with the balance, vision, and physical edge of a running back. Corners bounce off of him, and when he is in space he has the shiftiness to create extra yards out of nothing. His blocking is equally impressive and shows just how advanced he is for his age. There are clips of him driving defensive backs 20 yards downfield like they are sleds, finishing every rep with the type of nastiness you usually only see from senior captains.   On defense Murphy has the tools to be just as impactful. He plays downhill as a thumper from the linebacker spot, meeting ball carriers in the backfield and arriving with violent contact. He shows great instincts, quickly triggering and slipping through blocks to blow up plays. What really makes him unique is his ability to cover. He is smooth in space, long in his drops, and shows the ball skills to disrupt passing lanes. The combination of physical maturity, versatility, and polish he shows this early should not be possible for a sophomore. It explains why Power Four programs are already lining up to recruit him, and it feels inevitable that his offer sheet will only grow.       [player_tooltip player_id='445959' first='Jackson' last='Mickens'] is the heart of a Southmoreland team that is in the midst of a historic season. He is the type of player who is best described simply as a football player because no single position really captures how impactful he is. Defensively he lines up all over the front, capable of playing with his hand down as a defensive end or standing up as an outside linebacker. No matter where he is he brings the same motor and explosiveness. He wins with quickness off the edge, strength at the point of attack, and a nonstop effort that wears down linemen. He is constantly in opposing backfields and his pursuit speed allows him to chase plays down from the backside.   On offense Mickens is just as much of a headache for opponents. He fits into the grey area between athletic tight end and oversized wideout, with enough juice to line up at running back when needed. He has strong hands and body control to win in contested catch situations, and once the ball is secured he runs with a physical style that makes him difficult to bring down. Southmoreland has made a clear point of finding ways to get him the football because he is a game-changer whenever it touches his hands. His two-way value is one of the biggest reasons his team is making noise this fall.     Daejour Pinckney already looks like a future premier pass rusher. The first step is electric, putting tackles on their heels immediately. He combines that burst with raw strength, walking blockers back into the pocket when he converts to power. What jumps out on film is how refined he is technically for his age. He uses his hands effectively, shows the beginnings of a pass rush plan, and has the flexibility to bend around the corner without losing speed. That ability to corner naturally and stay balanced is extremely rare for a sophomore and points to a very high ceiling.   Pinckney profiles perfectly as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. His traits first-step quickness, leverage, bend, and developing hand use are exactly what college recruiters look for in edge players. With two and a half years left to develop he has the upside to be one of the most coveted defensive players in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='1043549' first='Nick' last='Anderson'] has quickly separated himself as one of the most promising offensive linemen in the 2028 class. His athletic ability jumps off the tape. He moves fluidly for his size, maintains great balance, and plays with a consistent low center of gravity. In the run game he is dominant, firing off the ball with leverage, rolling his hips through defenders, and finishing blocks with a nasty streak. His ability to displace defensive linemen is already advanced and projects perfectly to the next level.   In pass protection he is just as sound. Anderson is patient with his sets, shows strong and accurate hand placement, and anchors well against bull rushers. He rarely overextends or gets caught leaning. Technically he is very advanced for his age and his athletic ceiling is still rising as he continues to grow into his frame. He looks every bit the part of a future Power Five anchor on the offensive line.     [player_tooltip player_id='1265746' first='James' last='Armstrong'] has continued to solidify himself as one of the premier young quarterbacks in the area. At six foot two with a left-handed release, he has all the natural traits you want in a dual-threat signal caller. He's a lefty that can make all the throws necessary, and can push it down the field. The other dimension of his game is his legs. Armstrong thrives when plays break down. He shows composure under pressure, keeps his eyes downfield, and either delivers a strike or punishes defenses by taking off.   The designed run game only expands his value. On quarterback power and zone-read concepts he runs with toughness and downhill strength, but he also has the agility to make defenders miss in the open field. He is the type of quarterback you can build an entire offense around because he creates stress on defenses in multiple ways. As his mechanics and decision-making continue to grow, his ceiling is as high as anybody.

Halfway through the 2028 season, a number of sophomores in Western PA have gone from “impressive freshmen” to legitimate cornerstones of their programs. On film, they're not just holding their own, they're dictating games. Here's a look at some of the top evaluations so far.