Top 2028 Defensive Disruptors You Need To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 class is filled with defensive playmakers. According to MaxPreps, 16 sophomores last season made 70 or more tackles, an impressive total. Here are some of the standouts wreaking havoc on opposing offenses:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613430' first='Zaiden' last='Baker'], Hot Springs</strong>: One of the most dynamic two-way players in the 2028 class. Not only is Baker the Tigers' quarterback, he's also one of their best defensive players as well. Last season he amassed 51 tackles, 10.0 TFL (over 20 percent of his tackles resulted in lost yardage), 5 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. Tied for the most interceptions by a 2028 prospect in the state. Whether offense or defense, Baker is always around the football. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613727' first='Antonio' last='DeVargas'], Grants</strong>: King of the TFL for 2028 defenders. DeVargas is listed at 6-foot-2, 260 pounds and he plays like a big guy. Dominated the interior with 77 tackles (55 solo), 4 sacks and 11 QB hurries. Size, quickness and mobility are his strengths. Definitely a legitimate next level prospect. potentially D1. &nbsp;Honorable Mention All-State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109776' first='Giancarlo' last='Marquez'], Eunice</strong>: Marquez played a key role on an underrated Eunice defense last fall. Nearly 20 percent of his tackles (10 of 59) produced negative yardage. Had 6 sacks and 5 QB hurries, so he knows how to disrupt offenses. The Cardinals return five of their top eight tacklers in 2026, so they should be good again on that side of the ball. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2108856' first='Jeremiah' last='Ortiz'], Pojoaque Valley</strong>: Only a handful of 2028 prospects had 10 or more tackles for loss in 2025. Ortiz was one of them as he helped lead the Elks to a Class 3A playoff berth. About 25 percent of his tackles were for negative yardage. Pojoaque Valley returns a lot of players in 2026, so the Elks should compete for a playoff berth again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109774' first='Cannon' last='Rainville'], Eldorado</strong>: Rainville possesses good size at 6-foot-0, 165 pounds. The Eldorado coaches were very comfortable lining him up close to the line of scrimmage or sending him on safety blitzes. Out of his 60 tackles, 10 were TFLs. Added 13 QB hurries and 2 interceptions. Always around the football. Potential to develop into an elite safety/nickel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->