2028 Watchlist: Four Playmakers Bound to Shine in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We added hundreds of prospects to our rankings in Ohio last month for the Class of 2028. In our next article and multi-part series, we break down four new additions added to our watchlist. These four early risers have a chance to become high-impact players in the fall and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586870"],"_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-69b3f160ecd9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='586870' first='Josiah' last='Tillman'], a linebacker for Olmsted Falls, has a chance to be really good. Tillman is a strong special teamer who quickly gets downfield, takes good angles to kick returners and can deliver heavy hits. With his closing speed and strong straight-line speed, he could contribute early on a college team as a coverage guy on special teams. Tillman is a high-upside prospect with potential; expect his role to increase on defense in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2127883"],"_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-69b3f160ece46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2127883' first='Dawson' last='Weihrauch'] is a starting outside linebacker for Arlington High School. Weihrauch is a strong run defender who can make open-field tackles. He flows to the ball well and is very instinctive, wrapping up ballcarriers. He plays much bigger than his 5-foot-10, 180-pound size would indicate and has through-the-roof potential. Keep an eye on his development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2128582"],"_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-69b3f160eced1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lebanon High School tight end [player_tooltip player_id='2128582' first='Jordan' last='Foster'] is a soft-handed pass catcher who can get yards after contact, get upfield and press the field vertically. Foster displays good hands and RAC. He has good adjustment to the ball when it's in the air. At 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, he has a frame that could make his recruiting blow up when college coaches see him during camps this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2128579"],"_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-69b3f160ecf57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lorenzo Smith is a player to monitor. A tight end/defensive end for Cleveland Glenville, he is an aggressive run blocker with long arms that he uses to cover defenders and drive them off the ball. Smith has a very good first step off the line of scrimmage. His positional fit in college is likely at defensive end, where his 6-foot-3, 217-pound frame is ideal. He is currently on our watch list, but he could quickly become a fast riser with a strong junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->