2028 Rankings Update: The Defensive Stockrisers

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/">you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone</a>, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout.   We begin our coverage of the Winter Rankings Cycle for the Class of 2028 with those players who were already on our radar but did enough over the last four months to warrant upward movement.    Defensive Stockrisers, mount up.    These 12 players, many of whom have been in our rankings system for the last two cycles, turned it on as sophomores. They've made plenty of big plays, but more importantly displayed some consistency as the game started to slow down around them.   None of their stories are identical. However, they're production is checking all the right boxes.    [player_tooltip player_id='1672907' first='Heyward' last='Belser'] LB, Heathwood Hall (Up 10 spots to No. 60) - Belser was arguably the biggest piece of a defensive unit that averaged 15 points allowed per game en route to a state championship game appearance. He finished the season leading the Highlanders in tackles (136), tackles for loss (20) and sacks (four).    [player_tooltip player_id='1615072' first='Levar' last='Gilchrist'] DB, South Aiken (Up 12 spots to No. 14) - For as good as Gilchrist was as a super-green freshman, he was even better. He finished with 81 tackles - up from the 60 he had in 2024 - picked off two passes and broke up six more. His impact both closer to and further away from the line of scrimmage was evident.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582108' first='Trevor' last='Tonon'] LB, Bishop England (Up 12 spots to No. 11) - This time a year ago, Tonon was a newcomer to our rankings for this class after his 91-tackle freshman season at Philip Simmons. He and his brothers (more on one them below) then showed out this time around at Bishop England. Tonon again had 90+ tackles, but also started getting behind the line more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615024' first='MJ' last='Respass'] LB, Ashley Ridge (Up 16 spots to No. 20) - In the midst of all the talk about Ashley Ridge's offense, Respass not-so-quietly put himself into the short list of best young linebackers in the state. He finished his sophomore campaign with 112 tackles, 92 of them being of the solo variety. Respass is a game-changing run stopper.   [player_tooltip player_id='1856574' first='Kaleb' last='Brooks'] DB, Blackville-Hilda (Up 16 spots to No. 82) - Brooks still has a lot of his game that he probably needs to clean up some, but if the last 16 months were his starting point, buckle up for the second half of his high school career. He has a nose for the football as a cover corner and can equally affect offenses who choose to freelance against him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1672929' first='Malachi' last='Thompson'] DB, Woodruff (Up 18 spots to No. 68) - Thompson's star is starting to shine bright, as he's already got a couple all-region and all-state nods under his belt. The corner isn't done yet. His closing burst is getting better, and his relentless continuation to the whistle is paying dividends for the Wolverines.    [player_tooltip player_id='1672904' first='Logan' last='Thames'] DB, Nation Ford (Up 28 spots to No. 29) - Thames could stand to put on a little more size, but that part is significantly easier than teaching a bigger player some of his natural instincts. He's a fearless hitter and possesses the ability to stonewall some taller receivers. On top of it, he's a budding star in the return game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1817756' first='Nate' last='Elsey'] LB, Philip Simmons (Up 37 spots to No.64) - The Iron Horses have seen some high-value linebackers come through, and Elsey (pictured) is no different. In his first season as a varsity player, he finished with 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The only linebacker ahead of him in stop is graduating, leaving the door open for a stout repeat act.   [player_tooltip player_id='1763272' first='Michael' last='Poole'] LB, May River (Up 43 spots to No. 70) - The standup outside backer may ultimately move up to the line full time. He's got the length and range to blow up opposing tackles. For the time being, he's already doing it from a drop-box spot. It's how he racked up 113 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks as a sophomore.    [player_tooltip player_id='1823864' first='Jace' last='Coleman'] LB, Lugoff-Elgin (Up 51 spots to No. 25) - The more Coleman lines up outside the tackle, the more of a problem he's become for opposing offenses. This past season was a great indication of it, as he put up 32 tackles for loss and 11 sacks along with his team-leading 117 total tackles. Point being, he's very good at disrupting the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1674089' first='Chase' last='Tonon'] DB, Bishop England (Up 54 spots to No. 26) - Tonon was already on the brink of a top-50 overall spot before his sophomore year began, but the safety topped expectations by holding down the backside of the defense, more often than not by himself while everyone else was closer to the line. He's listed as a rover, but “play wrecker” works, too.    [player_tooltip player_id='1869917' first='Josh' last='Winbush'] DL, Ware Shoals (Up 75 spots to No. 33) - One of the true Class A video games last fall, Winbush's motor was simply too much for the average opponent to deal with. He finished with an eye-popping 43 tackles for loss and 18 sacks off the edge. As a result, the Hornet defense gave up 50 percent fewer points than it did the previous year.

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout.