2028 Watchlist to Ranked: Defensive Prospects Rising Up

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The 2028 class continues to evolve, and several defensive standouts have turned early watchlist buzz into ranked recognition. Through strong camp showings, offseason development, and impressive film, these prospects have separated themselves and earned a spot among the state's top talents. Here's a look at the playmakers who made the jump from watchlist to ranked.</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kirkpatrick is a gifted cover corner with a great skillset for the major D1 level. Shows fluid hips and quick change of direction to transition smoothly and stay in phase through breaks/cuts. Good all around game speed, he's quick in the short area to mirror movement at the short/intermediate levels and possesses the top speed to carry vertical routes. Well-coached he flashes clean and controlled footwork and technique with his hand usage. Solid in press coverage, he's patient and doesn't lunge. He waits to strike and keeps his balance at the line. Active hands he times his jams well to disrupt timing and collisions double moves to slow the feet of WR's. Does a great job staying attached and limiting separation. Holds 9 D1 offers and enters the rankings inside the top 50 overall at #42.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_1kjordannnn/status/1994841738020884941 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Impressive defensive playmaker with great range and instincts in the secondary. Versatile skillset being comfortable playing single high, two high, or rolling down to play man against the slot. High football IQ, he's disciplined with his eyes being able to read the QB and see route concepts as the play develops. Range and speed allow him to cover side to sideline and close quickly with the ball in the air. Also shows that he can use his transitional speed to recover. Plus ball skills, he tracks the ball naturally and plays it aggressively to step into throwing lanes and break up passes at the catch point. Strong run defender that can fit the alley and break down to secure tackles in the open field. Recruitment is building with recent P4 offers from Cal and Arizona adding to his early offer from San Diego State.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TerenceParsee_/status/1988272163875680737 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Dalhover is a high level defensive playmaker with a D1 skillset and the ability to play any position at the second level. 6'0” 215 lbs. he's got a solid frame with good mass and plus athleticism that allows him to line up as an MLB, OLB, or work off the edge. Demonstrates three down value with his ability as a run stopper, pass rusher, and cover guy. Extremely quick to diagnose the play and locate the football. As a run stopper, he fills gaps decisively and is able to beat blockers with both his speed and strength. That natural power combined with his hand usage allows him to engage blockers and then shed contact to free himself up. Times his pass rush moves effectively to make a big impact as a blitzer, he takes hard angles and closes with speed to force QB's off the spot. He's able to matchup with slot receivers, TE's, or running backs out of the backfield in coverage limiting separation and knocking down balls at the catch point. Racked up 81 total tackles as a sophomore with 13.5 tackles for loss. Still waiting on that first offer but checks all the boxes and should see a bump in recruitment this offseason.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">6'6” 205 lbs. Tuua is still a high upside prospect with an elite physical profile. Combines that rare length with a lean frame that possesses excellent growth potential to add mass without sacrificing the speed and movement skills that set him apart. Great quick twitch ability and explosive initial quickness off the ball to overwhelm opponents before they can get set or run the arc off the edge. Understands how to use his length to his advantage to collapse the pocket or anchor down to contain the edge against the run. Demonstrates good pass rush variety, he can stack moves like speed rushes, inside counters, and spins while maintaining balance. Athleticism and speed flash in his pursuit of the ball being able to redirect and burst to close. Collected nine offers to date but unlimited raw potential that will land him as a national recruit before long.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Coleman is a versatile and attacking defender with a dynamic skillset to impact the game from multiple positions. Shows he can cover deep as a safety or roll down as a nickel to be effective in man coverage against a slot and help in run support. He's got great anticipation/awareness against the pass and high level run game instincts. Shows quick processing ability being able to read his keys and trigger downhill with speed. Accelerates hard coming out of the break with good burst and acceleration to close throwing windows and pursue ball carriers in space. Confident in his ability he plays fast and physical flying around and bringing heavy contact as a tackler while being reliable in the open field. Finished the 2025 season with 71 total tackles and 5 tackles for loss. Picked up an early offer from Sacramento State as a freshman and recently pulled in his first FBS offer from Oregon State.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DerrickColeman/status/1985110668836786235 </div></figure>