SLEEPER: Underrated 2028 Defenders On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These small-town defenders in the 2028 class are having strong sophomore seasons...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974748"],"_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-68fb921e3ce01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A promising young linebacker in South Georgia playing sound, consistent football right now, Butler is a sure-tackling sophomore who has been one of the more productive defenders in the region through the first two months of the season. The two-way standout brings a 5-foot-11 205-pound frame and does a good job of finding his way to the ball-carrier. He's made 54 tackles this season with seven TFLs, four sacks and one forced fumble. He's one of the top defenders on the Coffee defense and is playing really well for someone in year two. Look for Butler to continue improving more and more over the next two years as he pushed for All-Region status at the end of the 2025 regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974754"],"_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-68fb921e3ceb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive safety from Sharpsburg having a really impressive sophomore season, Randolph is a physical defender for his age who knows how to wrap up and make a strong tackle. He plays fast, shows above-average instincts in coverage, and has been a key member of the defense all season long. He's been one of the more productive defensive backs in the region, securing 52 tackles and picking off one pass in coverage. He's averaging over six tackles a game and has made at least eight tackles in three recent games. He's a 2028 defender on the rise who will be added to the next Prep Redzone rankings this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974760"],"_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-68fb921e3cf5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A promising two-way athlete from Savannah who can make plays at both linebacker and tight end, Young is playing like one of the top young linebackers in the area right now. He plays fast, he closes well on the ball-carrier, and shows really strong instincts against the run for someone his age. He's an above-average athlete with dependable hands and playmaking ability no matter where he's lined up. He's made 51 tackles, four TFLs, and two sacks with one INT, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery. His best football is still way ahead of him and he's bound for a big junior season in 2026 if he continues to improve over the next 10 months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974764"],"_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-68fb921e3d00a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A terrific young athlete in West Georgia, this Columbus native has been a true ball-hawk in coverage and has shown the ability to make a physical hit on the ball-carrier. Just a sophomore, Terry is consistently one of the best players on the field, and while he may not play against the competition, Terry is a constant playmaker with a nose for the football. He shows natural ball-skills with four INTs in coverage. He's also made 66 total tackles from the secondary along with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His stock is on the rise and his recruitment could pick up this winter if he finished the 2025 season strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1974766"],"_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-68fb921e3d0c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A playmaking sophomore linebacker from Macon playing like a seasoned veteran, Horton brings plenty of size for his age at 6-foot-2 215-pounds who plays fast and has no problem finding his way into the backfield. He reacts quickly against the run and attacks down-hill, making him tough to block both in the trenches and on the edge. Horton has been one of the more productive sophomore linebackers in the region as he's made 44 tackles, five TFLs and two sacks this year to go along with one forced fumble. He continues to play better and better and could be one of the top returning linebackers in the region next year as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->