2028 Winter Rankings Update: Defensive Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 rankings have grown to 125 total prospects in the state of West Virginia, with many new faces entering the mix. Here are the defensive stock risers in the rankings after their sophomore seasons have been completed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624448"],"_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-69657f468c3e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 Martinsburg DB [player_tooltip player_id='1624448' first='Kolby' last='Walker'] emerged as a top defensive back for the Bulldogs in his sophomore season, resulting in a rankings bump. He saw one of the highest increases to his ranking in this update after a great season and is now the #2 defensive back prospect in the class. Walker does an excellent job of tracking and attacking the ball and always putting himself in a position to make a play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311031"],"_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-69657f468c469"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1311031' first='David' last='Browning'] did a great job in his sophomore season for the Tigers and moves into the Top 50 of the 2028 rankings as a result. He's a two-way standout up front and is equally talented at both positions that will earn him college attention in the future. If he keeps progressing physically, Browning will see his stock rise even further. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221854"],"_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-69657f468c4c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 Herbert Hoover DB [player_tooltip player_id='1221854' first='Shannon' last='Mitchell'] had a standout sophomore season for the Huskies and made a big jump in the rankings. He now sits as a Top 5 defensive back in the class and will continue to rise if he can keep adding size. Mitchell's instincts for the position and overall athleticism will give him a great foundation to continue building on over the next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624388"],"_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-69657f468c51c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We got more film of 2-28 Wyoming East DL/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1624388' first='James' last='Wood'] this season, and he impressed us with his potential. That resulted in a rankings boost in this update and should have colleges intriguied with his frame and potential. At 6'5 260, his future is along the offensive and defensive fronts with a potentially high ceiling as an offensive tackle if he commits to the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583907"],"_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-69657f468c571"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1583907' first='Talen' last='Brown'] went down with an injury in his sophomore season, but he showed a lot of physical progress from his freshman year. That was what kept him lower in the rankings in the past, but Brown looks like a much different player on film in his sophomore year. He also moved from EDGE to LB in the rankings after playing off the line of scrimmage more this year, a more natural fit for his frame and deserving of a rankings boost. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595525"],"_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-69657f468c5c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">George Washington's [player_tooltip player_id='1595525' first='Jericho' last='Henry'] earned a starting spot on the Patriots' defense in his sophomore season and looked the part at safety. He moves from LB to DB in the rankings and earned a rankings bump as a result of what he showed on film and a better physical fit positionally. Henry took a clear step forward from his freshman to sophomore year and should continue progressing over the next two years to potentially raise his stock further. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->