Five 2028s Deserving of More D1 Attention: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five prospects on the defensive side of the ball in the class of 2028 that are worthy of more Division I attention -- and potentially an offer, sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://Five 2028s Deserving of More D1 Attention: Offense">Five 2028s Deserving of More D1 Attention: Offense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671624"],"_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-69a725e73a295"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finishing second in total tackles (97) and solo tackles (81) in all of 5A <em>and </em>leading your class state-wide in the same statistics is not an easy feat. To do it as a sophomore is telling of just how important [player_tooltip player_id='1671624' first='Gabe' last='Blanshan'] was to the Urbandale defense this fall, and just how good he could be by the end of his high school career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanshan isn't the most athletic and likely won't blow anyone away with superb track times, but his high-motor, play recognition, instincts and physical tools make him a tackling machine. That, and his willingness to put his face through a ball-carrier's chest doesn't hurt, either. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In zone coverage, he reads the quarterback's eyes well and breaks on the ball when it's thrown or the QB decides to keep it. He's also an excellent open-field tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1924004"],"_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-69a725e73a2f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Posting the most tackles-for-loss (TFLs) out of anyone else in 2A this fall with 26.5, Alburnett's [player_tooltip player_id='1924004' first='Eaghan' last='Fleshman'] terrorized offensive linemen in the eastern part of the state this fall. An <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/all-state-teams-iowa-class-2a-defense/">All-Stater</a>, Fleshman led all 2028s in TFLs, finished fifth with eight sacks and led the class in forced fumbles with four. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Often taking on double-teams, Fleshman still found a way to make a play, whether it was out-muscling the opposing offensive linemen and bullying his way into the backfield, or using a nasty swim move to dip his way to the ball-carrier. Described by a Power 4 coach as a prospect that "has a chance if he continues to develop," Fleshman is on the trajectory to being impactful at the next level, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1849099"],"_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-69a725e73a341"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the few sophomore defensive linemen that may have outperformed Fleshman in a few ways this fall, [player_tooltip player_id='1849099' first='Isaiah' last='Lange'] had a monster season for Mount Pleasant. Leading 3A in sacks with 13, Lange used his speed off the edge more than overwhelming size or strength to get into opposing backfields.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Lange may project more to playing linebacker at the next level -- unless he adds considerable weight to his frame -- but the ability to make tackles is definitely there for the sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1924714"],"_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-69a725e73a386"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of my favorite prospects in this class, [player_tooltip player_id='1924714' first='Carson' last='Mahoney'] is damn near everything a Division I program could use in a safety. Excellent in run-support as a hard-hitting safety that tackles like a linebacker, but also serving as a threat to intercept anything over the middle as a sideline-to-sideline safety in coverage, Mahoney provides the type of versatility defensively that coaches love to bring in via the high school ranks. Tough, long and rangey, Mahoney was critical in the Saints' undefeated run to the 4A state title in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Posting 44 tackles, forcing a fumble, registering three pass-breakups (PBUs) and grabbing three interceptions, it's easy to see why former Iowa safety and Xavier assistant, Quinn Schulte recommended keeping an eye on the talented sophomore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583593"],"_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-69a725e73a3c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A twitchy prospect that is sneakily fast and strong despite his slight frame, [player_tooltip player_id='1583593' first='Marshall' last='Sheldon'] is one of the more unique recruits on this list. He's not big or necessarily super physically gifted, he just makes plays -- like, a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fearless as a freshman, Sheldon led the Little Hawks in tackles in his first year with 69, following it up with 74.5 as a sophomore. In 2025, he not only finished fifth in his class in tackles, but he trailed only Fleshman in TFLs with 19. He also did all of that despite breaking his hand twice in the middle of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheldon plays with anticipation, the speed to weave into offensive formations and around blockers, unreal ball-pursuit and a 'no flash, just football' style. Whatever program takes a flyer on Sheldon will be glad they did. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->