2028 Rankings Update: The Offensive Stockrisers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue 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.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensive Stockrisers, this post is for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 10 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>None of their stories are identical. However, they're production is checking all the right boxes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672848' first='CJ' last='Hickmon']</strong> WR, Hartsville (Up 10 spots to No. 44) - Throughout the first four games of the year, Hickmon had put up just four total receptions. He quickly blew the doors off that expectation level, topping 500 yards for the year. Hickmon also turned into a home run threat on every play. He eclipsed 25 yards per reception while letting his wheels do the talking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia']</strong> QB, Indian Land (Up 11 spots to No. 16) - Kucia was often tasked with getting the ball into his two star receivers. And consider the job done very well. The sophomore threw for 3,000 yards. And while many of those can be chalked up to YAC, the fact that he completed 68.2 percent of his passes and only got picked four times in 308 throws is telling.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard']</strong> RB, Westwood (Up 11 spots to No. 55) - A natural-gifted tailback with plenty of room to grow, Howard led the Redhawks with 721 rushing yards while also contributing nine rushing touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes, something that could become another staple to his game with the right focus. Howard could easily be a 1,000-yard guy next fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1540721' first='Landyn' last='Strong']</strong> RB, Blythewood (Up 13 spots to No. 87) - In a matter of weeks, the entire Blythewood offense was seemingly left for dead. That was until quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1426578' first='James' last='Veasey'] and Strong went to work. The young tailback finished the year with 964 yards and eight touchdowns rushing while hauling in another 14 passes for 117 yards and a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1506630' first='DP' last='Jordan']</strong> OL, Myrtle Beach (Up 18 spots to No. 59) - The Seahawks are going to be breaking in yet another full-time starter at quarterback next fall, and Jordan (pictured) is among the biggest reasons this offense should still keep progressing. The big tackle has the physical tools and understanding of his blocking schemes to stand up would-be pass rushers and attack in the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson']</strong> RB, Pelion (Up 18 spots to No. 71) - Jackson has plenty of power in his 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame. So we already knew he could run through folks from time to time. But what impressed us was how patient he could be while the blocking in front of him developed. It's how he put up 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='874321' first='Raphael' last='Puiu']</strong> WR, James Island (Up 27 spots to No. 17) - Puiu was one of the selections for our Fab 50 team in December, so you had to know his stock was going to improve. He was, for lack of a better term, electric. Over the course of the fall, he caught 55 passes for 1,409 yards and 18 touchdowns. The latter two were among the statewide's best, regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823858' first='Zach' last='Williams']</strong> QB, Lugoff-Elgin (Up 32 spots to No. 69) - As recently as seven months ago, it looked like Williams may be splitting reps behind center. But then he seized control of the starting job and made it count. During his first full season as QB1, Williams threw for 2,443 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for four more on the ground.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1856920' first='Tae' last='Wylie']</strong> OL, South Pointe (Up 51 spots to No. 9) - Stop us if you've heard this before, but we think pretty highly of the job the Stallions' offensive line did last season. Wylie was the team's starter at left tackle despite being surrounded by upperclassmen, a few of whom eventually signed or will sign with DI programs. Wylie is starting to garner that same interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817005' first='Reggie' last='Shannon']</strong> RB, Sumter (Up 66 spots to No. 39) - Despite missing a game and only getting four carries in another, Shannon still managed to put up 871 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. He showed a significant burst and ripped off a few long ones along the way, and five of his touchdowns came from 40 yards or longer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->