Next Up Recruits: Emerging TN2028 Prospects

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">As we are deep into the 2025 TNHSFB Playoffs, we have some sophomore prospects emerging into potential Power Four or D1 caliber prospects. There is a lot of development left to go but from watching them compete throughout the season and into the playoffs, I'm beginning to find high caliber prospects that could see a spike of college interest during the coming off-season.</h2>     ‘28 (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner'] - Melrose   - It's been an impressive debut season for Heffner as the main guy behind center that has led his Golden Cats team to a current 10-1 record and a quarterfinal placement in the current playoffs. His calm presence at quarterback along with his talented right arm has impressed this year, showing upside to reach the big stage of college but more development is needed. What I'm liking from this Memphis area prospect is his command inside the pocket and his team as well as his ability to spin the ball wherever he wants to. Heffner has the size along with the talented right arm needed to reach the D1 level one day. Understanding coverages and getting rid of the ball quicker is something Heffner must continue to work on but the raw tools are in place to see his recruitment soar over the next year and rise up our quarterback rankings.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-06-28-PM-crop-1319x867-1759440617-crop-800x525-1759440677.jpg?w=799" alt="" class="wp-image-1925312" style="width:298px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Melrose quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1037302' first='Thomas' last='Heffner']. Taken by Braiden Headley, Bheadley_photography</figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    ‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'] - Riverdale   - The Warriors saw their season come to an end in “Round Two” but this sophomore ball carrier emerged as one of the team's top offensive weapons and someone college coaches need to pay attention to over the next two years. Athletic and fast with open field separating speed, Vaughn started to come on over the second half of the season to establish himself as the Warriors top ball carrier and he got better each week. His ability to provide balance to the Warriors offense along with being a big play threat, turned the Riverdale offense into a formidable unit that opposing defenses had a hard time dealing with. Vaughn is a bit undersized with height but he makes up for it with his speed and lower base strength that allows him to break tackles and get into the open field. I'm curious to see how his off-season recruitment goes because I could see college programs getting on board with Vaughn sooner than later.    - - - - -    ‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1885826' first='Tot' last='Gardner'] - Marshall Co.    - While opposing teams have focused on slowing down [player_tooltip player_id='1422897' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] and the Tigers passing attack this season, this sophomore running back has emerged and provided balance to the Marshall Co. offense. Gardner is a guy to watch over the coming years as he brings athleticism, speed and excellent vision to the playing field that certainly translates to the next level. The Tigers ball carrier has a skill set that should excite collegiate coaches because I feel like Gardner is just starting to come into his own with more levels left to his game. As of right now, Gardner is more built like an all-purpose back that can do versatile things out of the backfield but potential is there for him to get bigger and stronger and become  a more balanced back. What he does have at the moment is the ability to find the end zone anytime he touches the ball. I'm interested to see how Gardner develops because I see big talent inside the sophomore running back.    - - - - -    ‘28 (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1028069' first='Haynes' last='Hawkins'] - Alcoa   - The Tornadoes have multiple college level receivers on their roster, including this sophomore pass catcher that has carved out a nice role this year alongside other veterans and begun to develop into a go-to guy. Hawkins has steadily gotten better as the year has gone on, including throughout the current playoffs where he is coming off one of his best games yet. Standing roughly 6'1 185 pounds, Hawkins brings nice size to the field along with good speed and the unique ability for getting open. Part of the reason he gets open so much is due to his mature route running. Hawkins is a crafty and savvy pass catcher that shows dependability and someone that may have the clutch trait adored by college coaches. Continued development is certainly needed but Hawkins is emerging as someone to watch from the #TN2028 class that could be placed among the top ten in the state at his position.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/hayhawkins.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2054799" style="width:235px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘28 (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1193547' first='Jamari' last='Brown'] - Columbia Central   - Even though the Lions saw their season come to an end last Friday, this sophomore two-way prospect broke onto the scene in a big way this Fall as Brown led the team in interceptions with six while also establishing himself as a top receiver on offense. This is a naturally athletic young man that shows outstanding quickness and speed that would translate on either side of the ball. He is a ball hawk on defense that reads the play well and attacks while his speed on offense can be a game changer that I think works best out of the slot. I can see Brown developing into an excellent special teams player as well where he could turn into one of the better return men in the state. There is much to learn for Brown and continue developing his game but the raw tools are certainly in place to shine further and peak the interest of many on the collegiate level.    - - - - -    ‘28 (TE/Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1201841' first='Braxton' last='Rein'] - Baylor   - Recruiting attention is already starting to happen for this sophomore two-way talent and I expect things to only get better for Rein as more people find out about this guy and his potential to star on the college stage. Sporting great size with an athletic skill set, Rein has upside to shine on either side of the ball in college with maybe tight end being the position where he excels the most. Over the second half of the season and into the playoffs, Rein has emerged as a go-to target for his Red Raiders offense. He is a mismatch problem for opposing defenses due to his excellent combination of athleticism, size and speed. Rein runs, moves well in the open field as he shows on film the ability to separate but he is also a sure target that can sit in holes and come down with tough, contested catches. Expect to hear more and more about Rein over the coming months and emerge as one of the top prospects coming out of the #TN2028 recruiting class.    - - - - -    ‘28 (Edge) [player_tooltip player_id='1909562' first='Fred' last='Ntumba'] - Antioch   - A lot of recruiting attention at Antioch High School has been about their offensive players this Fall but one sophomore that is emerging from the defensive side of the ball to watch for in the off-season is this disruptive edge rusher. Ntumba came out of nowhere this Fall to become one of the best sack artists from the greater Mid-Tennessee area and he is still far from a finished product. When you turn on his film, you see a well put together young man with good height, length and a frame that can pack on more weight but you also see a disruptor that comes off the snap well and closes fast. I see versatility with Ntumba as well, meaning you could stand him up off the edge and work him on the line with his hand in the dirt. The great thing about Ntumba is he has tons of room for growth with his body and his game, so these best football days are ahead for the Bears pass rusher as well as increased recruiting attention.    - - - - -    ‘28 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1357966' first='Maxym' last='Sugoniako'] - Baylor   - The 2025 campaign has been a nice debut season for this Canadian linebacker that shows tremendous upside as a future “MIKE” linebacker, who can do a variety of things on the playing field. Sugoniako is a high motor guy that reads the run very well along with having the abilities to drop in space and play versus the pass. The Red Raiders sophomore plays in attack mode the entire game. He displays instinctive work finding the football and once he sniffs it out, Sugoniako explodes with violence. The way he is built fits well in the middle too. Sugoniako has good arm length, broad shoulders and a frame that can pack on more weight over time. I see the upside with this guy and how good of a run stuffer he can be in the future. More work is needed inside the weight room while increasing his speed but the instincts are in place already to become one of the better run stuffers we have from the Volunteer State.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/msugoniako.jpg?w=576" alt="" class="wp-image-2054803" style="width:171px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘28 (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1801346' first='Taylen' last='Cisneros'] - Page   - Stepping into a starting role this year as a sophomore, Cisneros is the next great linebacker coming out of the Page football program that could have a future on the highest stage of college ball, as long as everything goes according to plan. What you have in this Mid-Tennessee talent is an athletic, fluid backer that moves very well with the range and speed to make plays all over the field. Cisneros sports an active motor that is hard to stop when he gets moving along with a violent approach to the game that should be very appealing to college coaches. I see versatility with the Patriots linebacker as well. He does good work against the run but has the athleticism to make plays in the passing game as well. I can see scenarios where you can use Cisneros as a pass rusher. I think the ceiling is high for this guy and I believe you will see enhanced interest with Cisneros over the coming months, turning him into one of the best linebacker prospects from our sophomore class.    - - - - -    ‘28 (S/Star) [player_tooltip player_id='2054772' first='Evan' last='Kellum'] - BGA   - Kellum has put forth a tremendous debut season this year with the Wildcats as he leads the team in interceptions at five while being one of their more physical tacklers on defense. A multi talented young man that brings versatility to the defensive side of the ball, Kellum is an instinctive ball hawk that tends to put himself around the ball on a consistent basis. The Wildcats staff uses him closer to the line in what could be considered a “Star” player on the college level where Kellum can work both against the run while dropping into space versus the pass. The Cats sophomore displays nice range while having the strength to take on blocks, shed them and chase down the ball. If Kellum can increase his overall speed, I could see bigger programs taking a longer look at him due to his instincts and smart game play.    - - - - -    Five Other Emerging Sophomores   (QB) [player_tooltip player_id='1094224' first='Brooks' last='Wright'] - Memp. Central, (DL) [player_tooltip player_id='1855561' first='Gideon' last='Knox'] - Friendship Chrst. (Ath) [player_tooltip player_id='1942269' first='Amarion' last='Graves'] - Volunteer, (WR) [player_tooltip player_id='1662941' first='Damari' last='Allen'] - Giles Co., (LB) [player_tooltip player_id='1895564' first='Ford' last='Bowman'] - Providence Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/evankellum.jpg?w=788" alt="" class="wp-image-2054804" style="width:214px;height:auto" /></figure>