Class of 2028 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off of an annual Prep Redzone subscription*   The 2028 Rankings are LIVE! The list expanded to 260 ranked athletes and features so many new athletes. That provided the previously ranked athletes a tough test as they worked all season to help their team win and improve their personal stocks in the recruiting world. However, the athletes in today's article were up for the task as they proved they could face off with a ton of talent and still work their way up our rankings. These are athletes who really hit their stride and hit that next level of development with their game. Let's talk about what impressed us and earned these student athletes their rise.    Rise: #42 up to #4   Kimberly's [player_tooltip player_id='1627702' first='Jake' last='Mau'] made a massive leap in this update after the massive year of development he just put together. Jake earned the #1 spot for pure TE, but you will see him 2nd on the position list behind our #1 overall player who we have ranked as a TE/WR. But when it comes to traditional TEs this is the cream of the crop.   Jake already had a great frame, but the strength added to that frame and the way he is able to move in the trenches and downfield at that size has made massive leaps. His growth in his body control has made him a force as a blocker and a receiving threat. In the run game Jake is able to dominate with the force he can create and with his ability to win the angle and position battle while engaging with a DL. In the receiving game the big man is so smooth getting off the line and through his routes. This is a kid that you can line up next to an OT at the next level and have him make an impact on all three downs. The arrow is pointing straight up for this stud.      Rise: #44 up to #20   The best athletes of the TE position all experienced massive strides in their development over this past year. Next up we have another standout TE talent in [player_tooltip player_id='1627993' first='Dane' last='Warren']. The sophomore has contributed on varsity since he was a freshman, but this season he came out bigger and better than ever and was vastly more of a featured piece because of it.   Throughout his highlights all I can think about is how much of a mismatch he provides a play caller. You can line up the 6'3" 220 lbs athlete all over the formation, and either his size and strength or athleticism are going to give you the advantage. Dane checks the boxes of a TE who is too fast for LBs and too big/strong for DBs. He is so smooth in his routes and the sophomore did a great job of attacking the football in the air. That aggressive play at the catch only amplifies his best traits of size, strong hands, and ball tracking. I was hoping we would see a leap like this from Dane. He delivered and is far from done developing.      Rise: #47 up to #28   Can't ask for more from a sophomore QB than what Dalton did at Catholic Memorial in his first year as a varsity starter. Dalton led the offense deep into the playoffs, put up 30 TDs through the air and left no doubt that he is going to be a kid that will impact the landscape of the D3/D4 level of WI HS football.   Dalton is a technician within the pocket. Quick feet, sufficient throwing motion, poised under pressure. He does a great job with his decision making of who to target and where to put the ball. That pinpoint accuracy has proof of consistency to every level of the field. The '28 can move the pocket or get outside of it and maintain that accuracy on the move. Big things ahead for Dalton and the Catholic Memorial offense as he continues to stack experience and build upon his physical tools.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NowfCs1TTRE </div></figure>     Rise: #86 up to #57   For the majority of athletes we see the junior season be the breakout year. Brody was ahead of the curve there as he had his breakout in 2025. In the toughest conference in WI, Brody led the league in receptions and was 2nd in yards/yards after the catch.   Throughout his highlights DBs can't seem to find the '28 WR. His speed gets him separation behind DBs. If they press him he has an effective release package to get clean releases. The sophomore has a knack for getting lost in the secondary and finding massive space for his QB to target him on huge chunk plays. Once he gets the ball in space it is a new battle to try and contain him and bring him down. I hope to see Brody this summer and get a closer look at his talents out wide. Impressive athlete.      Rise: #90 up to #65   Big fan of this CB! As just a sophomore Anthony provided great coverage at CB for the new D1 State Champions. I love this kid's awareness while out on his island or in his zone. Several times in his highlights you see him perfectly diagnose routes and read and react at the exact right time to make plays on the ball. His closing burst is excellent and allows him to make those plays where it looks like he leaves his man to go make a play on another WR in his zone. The 5'10" 165 lbs athlete also has the speed to run downfield and is not afraid to battle with bigger WRs. This is just the start of Anthony's rise. This is a student athlete you need on your radars.      Rise: #138 up to #76   Colton's future is as a nickel and/or safety, but as a sophomore the 5'11" 185 lbs athlete was a force at OLB. His speed for the position is outstanding, allowing him to fly into the backfield from a wide alignment and still get to the QB before they can get the ball out or chase down an RB from behind. Colton is a heat-seeking missile off the edge. Being able to provide that impact in the backfield, and also be trusted to drop into coverage and provide reliable coverage is a cheat code for a DC. His versatility is thanks to his athleticism, aggressive play style, and high football IQ. Big things ahead for the Pewaukee game changer.      Rise: #148 up to #132   This is an athlete that could be positioning himself for a massive leap over this next year. Trenton was a JV standout for Kimberly in 2025. The 5'11" 220 lbs IDL was able to stand out from the crowd on multiple snaps in his JV season, getting pressure on the QB, showing range to chase down plays outside the pocket, and his athleticism is even at a point where the DL was on the kickoff coverage unit. Trenton can move, and there is still a lot of time for his frame to continue to grow. There are intriguing pieces to Trenton's game, and in 2026 I think we see him start to really put it all together. Don't sleep on this one.

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