Productive New Additions: Class of 2028

*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off an annual Prep Redzone subscription*   So many athletes were added to the brand new 2028 Class Rankings here in Wisconsin. During the research and analysis of each athlete there were several that stuck in my mind when all was said and done. These are athletes who produced on the varsity field very well as sophomores, and while doing it featured impressive next level traits. These are athletes who are going to shape the landscape of WI HS football for the next two years as they continue to develop and make even bigger impacts for their teams. Let's hit the tape and also talk production from this impressive group of sophomores.    This is an up and coming CB that coaches should be excited about. The 5'10" 170 lbs athlete was a key piece of the North defense, finishing 2025 with 41 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 FFs, 1 FR, and 1 INT. PJ has quickly developed the ability to be highly alert to everything going on in and around his zone. He reads the QB quickly and reacts with well timed breaks. PJ flashes strong hands and good timing to break up passes at the catch point and can battle with bigger WRs. PJ also brings a fearless mentality to tackling and run support. I'm excited for what is ahead of PJ.      Regis runs a ground-focused attack on offense, so opproetunies in the receiving game are limited. However, there is an up and coming talent who found ways to deliver in the biggest moments at the WR/TE position. [player_tooltip player_id='1792046' first='Griffin' last='Boda'] brings an elite 6'6" 190 lbs frame to the field. A mismatch on its own, but Griffin is quickly learning how to utilize that size to ensure he is in the right position to be able to soar over DBs for the catch. The long striding sophomore covers ground effortlessly and that huge catch radius is a nightmare to defend, especially for small school defenses. Griffin's peak moment was using that size, timing, and strong hands to haul in a Hail Mary vs Mondovi to stay undefeated on the season. All in all, Griffin finished 2025 with 8 receptions, 263 yards, and 4 TDs. The massive athlete is proving to be a massive playmaker, scoring TDs on half in catches and averaging just shy of 33 yards/reception. Check this kid out!      Monona Grove was one of the top large schools in WI in 2025, led by a dominant front seven on defense and sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='2100325' first='Jaxon' last='Zukowski']. The 6'3" 195 lbs signal caller has the prototypical frame for the position and an intriguing blend of arm talent and mobility. He finished 2025 with 1568 passing yards, 16 TDs through the air, 360 rushing yards and 5 more TDs on the ground. The more the season went on the better Jaxon played. He was quick to learn from his experiences and by the playoffs was a poised passer who could handle making plays while facing pressure. The 2028 QB was opportunistic with his carries, using his legs to pick up first downs when things opened up in front of him or when there was no smart passes to attempt downfield. The '28 has flashed an arm that can get the ball everywhere he might need to get the ball. Things are coming together quickly for the QB. Make sure he is on your radars.      Evan finished 2025 as Cambridge's leading receiving threat. The sophomore piled up 22 catches for 473 yards and 3 TDs. He finished with an average of 21.5 yards/reception while his longest catch was only 40 yards. That tells me the kid is extremely consistent at giving his offense those plays of 20+ yards on a weekly basis. The big target fits that possession receiver mold where he is going to find soft spots, use his size and strength to create space, and has that knack for creating ways to get open without just simply being faster than everyone. The sophomore also contributed off the edge on defense too and has the size to also be considered at that position too.      Diesel was one of our top additions to the skill positions, and the production supports that. He dominated on Friday nights and did it while contributing everywhere. He hauled in 30 receptions for 494 yards and 6 TDs, ran the ball 5 times for 107 yards and a TD, made 38 tackles, 5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 FF, and 3 INTs. The kid even added in 53 yards and a passing TD. The 6'3" 180 lbs athlete offers outstanding versatility to say the least. As a safety, Diesel checks the three level box. Someone who can play deep and read and react. Someone who can cover a slot on his own. Someone who can play against the run, or in Diesel's case, someone who can come right up on the edge and effectively get after the passer. Then on offense he gives you a smooth, long striding WR who can get vertical and use that big wingspan to provide a reliable and large catch radius. Big things ahead for Diesel as he continues to improve and add to that already strong production.      Mt Horeb needed a new go to athlete at the WR position in 2025 and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2112363' first='Django' last='Christian'] was ready for the job. He would finish 2025 with 32/471/7 TDs. He also played on defense where he added 22 tackles, 2 TFLs, 4 PBUs, and an INT. The offensive highlights are the headline of his season long highlights. The 5'8" 155 lbs sophomore has that slot build, but he dominates with ability to win deep. You see him get off the line quickly, and stack his CB while pulling away down the field. He tracks the ball correctly and has trustworthy hands to make those over the shoulder catches. His talent as a downfield receiver is surprising and impressive to watch. Once he gets you to play off the offense will use Django underneath on quick passes and let him carve up the defense after the catch with his speed and agility.      Owen is a pocket passer who was able to put together a strong season leading the Freedom offense. At 6'3" 185 lbs Owen is building a frame to thrive at the position. One that can scan the field effectively, and as you see in the highlights, one that can take contact and still get the ball out accurately. The sophomore did great with his ball placement throughout the season, leading to a 63% completion percentage. To go along with that, Owen put up 2,106 yards passing and 16 TDs. I'm excited to see what the Freedom offensive encore will be this year after a strong 2025.      What a year for the sophomore RB/LB out of St. Croix Central. Cohen led the varsity in carries, rushing yards, tackles, and TFLs. In total the 2028 went for 88/462/3 on the ground and 77 tackles, 9 TFLs, .5 sack, 1 FF, and 1 FR. I love Cohen's ILB highlights. He runs through the front seven to get to the football like a hot knife through butter. The sophomore was able to run through all that trash while staying clean very consistently. Thanks in part to his quick reading and reacting to the play and his burst to top speed making it hard for OL to get up to him in time. The '28 LB does really well flowing with the play while still coming downhill and meeting the RB in the hole. Then at FB he did really well attacking between the tackles, always getting up field, and bouncing defenders off him with his low center of gravity. We are sure to see Cohen continue to be a focal piece for SCC as a two-way athlete.

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