2028 Edge/DL Stock-Risers: Midseason Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just updated our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 rankings</a>, and we've already had plenty of coverage on the offensive side of the ball. Now, we're turning our attention to the defensive side of the ball to look at the defensive linemen, both interior and on the edge, who rose in our rankings. Here are our 2028 edge and DL stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 Edge/DL Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606887"],"_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-69041971e2cf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson's massive jump in the rankings is partly due to his impressive sophomore season, and partly because we simply had him too low in the last update. Johnson is a long edge rusher with an impressive first step and bend. Johnson has been productive as a sophomore, and we think there may be another gear he can hit as an upperclassman.</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-69041971e2d86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jarrett announced his presence with a bang, with three sacks in his starting debut. He plays a hybrid linebacker-nickel role for Kings Mountain, but we've ranked him as an edge rusher, the most likely position he'll play in college. He's quick off the edge as a blitzer, but his ability to play coverage at his size is quite impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1272102"],"_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-69041971e2dfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cuff is an undersized interior defensive tackle at the 8A level, but he has the strength to take on interior linemen. He can also shoot gaps and create immediate disruption. He's one of a number of young defensive players ahead of schedule, helping the Mavericks play at an extraordinarly high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687735"],"_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-69041971e2e5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Flowers has been excellent this season in the middle of both three and four-man fronts for West Meck. His impact goes beyond the box score, as he eats up double-teams and re-routes inside runs. He's flashed some as a pass-rusher as well, with seven sacks. A combination of a few quick wins and a few high-effort sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616163"],"_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-69041971e2eae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henriquez has had an excellent sophomore season, following up on his impressive freshman year. More than that, he was previously highly ranked due to his production as an undersized freshman. He had upside, and now that's being realized as he grows bigger and stronger. He's been more varied with how he beats offensive linemen, and he's one of the top players at the position in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->