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<p>On this week's “Recruiting with Andrew Nemec" on ESPN-affiliate 105.1 The Fan, Prep Redzone's Jordan Johnson joined me to discuss our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/washington/rankings/2028-watch-list/">updated class of 2028 Washington football prospect rankings</a>.</p>
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<p>Overall, it's an incredibly deep year - with more than 20 players with Division I potential.</p>
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<p>At the top of the list is Eastside Catholic five-star tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1003593' first='Tytan' last='McNeal'], whose rare blend of size, athleticism and work ethic make him the nation's No. 1 tight end.</p>
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<p>Graham-Kapowsin quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='984855' first='AJ' last='Tuivaiave'] is next on the list.</p>
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<p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/updated-washington-2028-rankings-top-200-1-25/?itm_source=parsely-api">Updated 2028 Washington rankings: 1-25</a></p>
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<p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/updated-washington-2028-rankings-top-200-26-50/">Updated 2028 Washington rankings: 26-50</a></p>
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<p>The 6-foot-3, 240-pound signal-caller is already emerging as a national recruit, as he boasts offers from Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Miami, Oregon, Washington and others.</p>
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<p>At No. 3, Johnson is a big believer in Puyallup defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='984781' first='Markel' last='Newell'], who picked up an offer from Boise State following the rankings update.</p>
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<p>Newell is a quick, violent defender who just simply looks different than the competition on film.</p>
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<p>There are hints of Budda Baker in his tape, although neither Johnson nor Nemec are making that direct comp.</p>
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<p>Rounding out the top five are Eastside Catholic defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1617792' first='Aedyn' last='Havili'] and Bellevue defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'].</p>
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<p>For his part, [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'] has been one of the West Coast's biggest risers in the past few months, reaching double-digit offers, including Kentucky, Oregon State and Texas A&M.</p>
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<p>Along a similar vein, both Graham-Kapowsin wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='985348' first='Jayce' last='Halasz'] and O'Dean two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1857585' first='Kyler' last='Harden'] have taken off in recent weeks.</p>
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<p>Harden, in particular, has added some big offers, including Auburn, Cal, Oregon State and Penn State.</p>
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<p>Who could be next to really pop?</p>
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<p>At No. 9, Federal Way athlete [player_tooltip player_id='985511' first='Kaicen' last='Carter'] looks the part, but doesn't have the most extensive film yet. When he puts all of that together he could shoot up the rankings.</p>
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<p>Bellevue athlete [player_tooltip player_id='986705' first='Dreson' last='Jimerson'] rounds out the top 10.</p>
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<p>The 5-foot-9. 180-pound playmaker is far from the biggest player on the list, but his film is a joy to watch, thanks to speed and elusiveness.</p>
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<p>Jimerson just feels like a special play waiting to happen.</p>
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<p>Listen to the interview here:</p>
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https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HUQ1rrLcSGKQzgtvpehQF
</div></figure>
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