Five 2028 Safeties To Keep An Eye On

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we continued to go through my 2028 player series by dissecting the cornerback class. Now, it's time to check out the back end of the defense with the safeties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore defensive back class as a whole is loaded, but the safeties may take the cake for best overall group of 2028 players. There are several blue-chip prospects and a few potential five-star guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With how much talent there is in this position class, I've been waiting to do this since I started the sophomore series. Let's get into it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1193376"],"_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-68d212ebca907"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Springfield's [player_tooltip player_id='1193376' first='Jermaine' last='Cobbins'] is an absolute beast on the gridiron who's more of a safety but can play all over the field. He's got a great frame for his age with plenty of strength. Cobbins is a defensive back, but he looks like a linebacker because he consistently delivers vicious hits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's very swift and has good hips in coverage. The 2028 has outstanding instincts and the ability to track down the football. Cobbins is the No. 1 in-state DB for his class per Prep Redzone, and for good reason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1565851"],"_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-68d212ebcaa1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2028 Tyner Academy player is very productive on both sides of the ball. However, he excels at safety. He plays a good center field, but can cover all over the gridiron while being able to play corner if necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Antonio “Dion” Edwards has a good frame with a lot of explosiveness, burst and good football instincts. The sophomore also impresses with his tackling ability, showing he's not just a one-trick pony as a coverage guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580781"],"_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-68d212ebcab0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1580781' first='Jayden' last='Sanders'] transferred from Middle Tennessee Christian to Blackman over the summer and has been an impact player all season. The 6-foot-1 safety has plenty of length, athleticism and football IQ to play the strong safety position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He plays sound coverage in the back end of the Blackman defense, but can also walk up in the box. Sanders is a good tackler who does a good job with his angles to avoid letting the opposition get extra yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1031949"],"_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-68d212ebcabf7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] is a baller in the Knoxville Catholic secondary, which may be the best in the state. He's developed a lot since his freshman season, and you can see it after his good start to the 2025 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore safety plays good coverage in the back end with swift footwork and burst to quickly get anywhere on the field. My favorite part of his game is the physicality he brings. Johnston isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and run through someone, which fires everybody up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1599115"],"_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-68d212ebcacdf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1599115' first='Malek' last='Mason'] is one of the best safeties in Tennessee, regardless of class. The Germantown defensive back is a true ball hawk who always seems to find his way to the football. Mason has multiple turnovers this year, including a pick-six just a few weeks ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He has nice size with the athleticism and footwork to stay with speedy receivers and play anywhere on the gridiron. The 2028 is also willing to come up and make a tackle, no matter how it has to be done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->