2028 Rankings Update- New Stock Risers on Our List (Defense)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our new 2028 Rankings Update, we are highlighting some talented new Stock Risers on offense to begin our offseason coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw this group of prospects have impressive sophomore seasons for their teams this past fall, so we're looking at their tape and discussing where they're ranked now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, be sure to check out these prospects' film. You won't want to miss out on this kind of talent here in Alabama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1680281"],"_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-698cfc94ca9a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1680281' first='Gabriel' last='Ervin'] is a talented DL from Gulf Shores who dominated all of last season, making him our #2 DL and #6 overall prospect in the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“<em>At 6'0 250, Ervin already has the size and athleticism to make some seriously impressive plays in the trenches. He plays with great leverage, has impressive strength/power, and can explode out of his stance to win matchups at the line of scrimmage.</em>“</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ervin had a fantastic season, recording 73 total tackles (27 for loss), 11 sacks, and 19 hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With how well he's performed, Ervin has generated tons of collegiate interest in the last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I won't be surprised if that keeps up. He's a talented defender with a huge junior season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23528921/68c01ece6f07174de309f199' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cfc94cabb4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638993"],"_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-698cfc94cac2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638993' first='Reginald' last='Ward'] is a talented LB from Williamson who dominated last season, rising up to become our #1 LB and #13 overall player in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Ward is highly athletic, plays with a ton of speed, and is really quick to react, consistently flying around the field to create huge stops against the run and pass. Ward is a really productive pass rusher- he's explosive off the snap and overwhelms OTs with his speed, quickly working his way into the backfield to generate tons of pressure and rack up sacks.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ward is just as productive in coverage- he does a great job taking away pass catchers underneath and has the ball skills to rack up some impressive PBUs and INTs. Ward is going to be a problem for offenses over the next few seasons. He can do so many things well already and is a player everyone should look out for.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Given how well he's played, Ward has generated a ton of interest from top programs at the next level. I'm sure that won't slow down anytime soon. Keep your eyes peeled for him over the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19343743/68beef4d2172dda1ab4262ec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cfc94cac5b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624747"],"_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-698cfc94cacc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1624747' first='Eli' last='King'] is a seriously talented DB from Thompson who had a breakout season last fall that landed him as our #2 DB and #19 overall prospect in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>King has great instincts, is quick to react, and has great closing speed that he uses to fly around the field and make plays in the secondary. He's fantastic in coverage, timing up huge plays on the ball to create PBUs/INTs. King is an impressive run defender; he's a physical DB who can fight off blocks, pursue, and take down the ball carrier with ease.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was seriously impressed with King's play last season. He's become a skilled DB who has the best ahead of him. Be sure to check out some of his film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19583198/6932ee925041c9a574117774' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cfc94cacf8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1642540"],"_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-698cfc94cad49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2120359' first='Kamari' last='English'] is a talented DB from Oxford who's coming in as our #3 DB and #22 player in the state after his season last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>English has already shown so many great things out in coverage- he's patient, terrific at tracking the ball, and has the ball skills, hands, and closing speed to come away with some impressive PBUs and INTs.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>English is just as good at defending the run- he's a physical DB who plays with great pursuit, fights through blockers, and can wrap up and deliver big hits to the ball carrier nearly every snap.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>English has played extremely well over his first two seasons. Be sure to check out some of his film below, you'll be impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17814570/68dd601ed52270d51a2dd585' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cfc94cad70"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1680275"],"_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-698cfc94cadbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1680275' first='John' last='Semaj Green'] is a talented EDGE from Mary G Montgomery who's climbed up to become our #3 EDGE and #23 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Green is a talented LB who can line up and produce on and off the line of scrimmage. He plays with a ton of speed, power, and pursuit at 6'2 220 that make him a challenge to block every single snap.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm really impressed with Green's run defense. He's so quick to overwhelm OL and make his way into the backfield, constantly creating stops of loss. Everyone needs to watch out for him going forward."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green has picked up some G5 offers in the last few months, and I don't think that will end anytime soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you haven't checked out any of his tape, be sure to watch some of it below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22497731/692f0eb3024da91f859110fc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cfc94cade6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->