Looking Ahead to Spring 2028 Rankings Update

<!-- 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. This deal will be available throughout the Winter Rankings Cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After adding 72 players to the Class of 2028 Rankings during the Winter Cycle, the presumption might be that we emptied the cupboard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Think again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our never-ending evaluation process has already identified a number of players across the state who will be run through our entire process over the span of the next four months. We never guarantee anyone a number next to their name, nor are we going to assume that the new world of high school football - one that includes more transfers than we've ever seen and a realignment window that is leaving a lot of schools in a semi-state of flux - that off-field items might not preclude a player from joining the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll likely look at north of 150 players before the next cycle and determine their status, but these 10 in particular will be among the first we evaluate. This list is a mix of players rising up their proverbial depth charts and guys who we didn't have time to fully break down this time around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1856560' first='Bryce' last='Collins']</strong> OL, South Pointe - Collins will likely be the Stallions' new starting center for the 2026 season, and the 6-foot-2, 260-pound lineman has not only the size to compete, but the family tree that suggests he'll be able to hold his own.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1547109' first='Josef' last='Hudson']</strong> DL, Mountain View Prep - Hudson's big - as in 6-foot and 300 pounds already. He's also been effective in limited playing time. He's clearly part of the Stars' future plans after averaging better than five tackles per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818015' first='Johnny' last='Rose']</strong> LB, Academic Magnet - With a name Schitt's Creek fans will love, Rose put up 74 total tackles as a sophomore while also blocking a punt and recovering a fumble. We're thinking his film will pretty decent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633095' first='Curtis' last='Bell']</strong> WR, Woodruff (pictured) - Projecting Bell as a possible 1,000-yard receiver next fall isn't a massive stretch of the imagination, even with the offense revolving around a certain tailback. Bell caught 38 passes and his target count is about to shoot through the roof.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820220' first='Hayne' last='Burden']</strong> DL, Hilton Head Christian - We've got a couple of his teammates already ranked (and more a likely on the way), but the word we've heard about Burden from his coaches and the opposing ones are glowing about the 6-foot-2, 210 pounder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825382' first='Julian' last='Igo']</strong> K/P, Daniel - One of the best parts of the offseason is the opportunity to scout specialists during high-volume sessions. Be it a combine or another event, we look forward to seeing Igo's mechanics after he scored 59 total points last fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821576' first='Ayden' last='Burton']</strong> LB, Fountain Inn - The all-region selection finished the 2025 season with 69 total stops while tacking on four tackles for loss and three sacks. Not too shabby for a guy who was listed as a tailback on his team's roster most of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816883' first='Stacey' last='Isaac']</strong> QB, CA Johnson - This one's on us. Isaac probably should have been a bigger priority after throwing for 18 touchdowns and 1,479 yards against just three interceptions while rushing for another two scores and 101 yards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825146' first='Kamal' last='Grant']</strong> DL, Fox Creek - Whether it's starting in a down position or standing off the edge, Grant is coming off a great sophomore season in which he put up 63 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks and three fumble recoveries.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693737' first='Cooper' last='Smith']</strong> RB/LB, Blue Ridge - The 5-foot-9, 170-pound two-way guy only got a partial season in the fall after transferring. But he had an impact at both tailback (159 yards, two touchdowns) and linebacker (23 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->