Washington 2028: Comparing the rankings

This week,<a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/player/football/2028/?state=wa" id="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/player/football/2028/?state=wa"> Rivals released its class of 2028 rankings</a>, and eight Washington players made the cut.   It's the same top-eight that Prep Redzone has had for a few months.   Why?   It seems there is a clear-cut top collection of talent in the state of Washington, and it's a group that runs fairly deep - with all eight players at least flirting with four-star (or better) status.   So, I decided to compare Prep Redzone's rankings to those of <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/player/football/2028/?state=wa" id="https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/player/football/2028/?state=wa">Rivals</a>.   Where are we the same? Where are we different? And that's the reasoning behind it?   Turns out, the differences are subtle (numbered rankings are "rating in Washington").   ATH/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1003593' first='Tytan' last='McNeal'], Eastside Catholic   PRZ: 1   Rivals: 1 (63rd nationally)   <a href="https://247sports.com/season/2028-football/compositerecruitrankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&State=WA" id="https://247sports.com/season/2028-football/compositerecruitrankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&State=WA">247</a>: 1 (12th nationally)   The 6-foot-5, 210-pound football/basketball star is one of the best two-sport athletes on the entire West Coast, and claims the distinction of “top-rated football recruit on the West Coast” by all three of the major recruiting services.    The biggest gap for McNeal is not where he ranks within the state of Washington, but where he belongs in the national discussion - with 247Sports listing him as a 5-star recruit and Rivals' latest update putting him at 63rd overall.   Regardless, college football programs see him as one of the best tight end prospects in America, as he's racked up offers from Florida, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Washington and others.    QB A.J. Tuivaiave, Graham-Kapowsin   PRZ: 2   Rivals: 5 (27th QB)   247: 3 (composite; 12th QB nationally)   The 6-foot-3, 240-pound signal caller has won back-to-back SPSL Player of the Year awards in his freshman and sophomore seasons.   Last fall, he threw for more than 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions, while completing 70 percent of his passes.    Tuivaiave is clearly the top 2028 quarterback in the Northwest and is at least flirting with bluechip status on all three major recruiting services.   Given how talented the top of the board is in the state of Washington, the gap between 2 and 5 isn't that significant.   At PRZ, we believe in his growth, development and potential to be a multi-year Power 4 Conference starter at the quarter position.   He holds offers from Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Miami, Oregon, Washington and others.    DB [player_tooltip player_id='984781' first='Markel' last='Newell']   PRZ: 3   Rivals: 8 (3 star)   247: N/A   At PRZ, we've said all along that we are sky-high on Newell and simply believe in his ability to be an impact player in college football.   Rivals has him listed as a solid three-star prospect and 8th overall - a top-8 that the major recruiting services seem to all have in common.   Newell holds offers from Arizona, Boise State, San Diego State, Washington State and others.   But we believe more should be coming.   Trust the tape, trust the violence, trust the athleticism, Newell is an outstanding impact defender.    DL [player_tooltip player_id='1617792' first='Aedyn' last='Havili'], Eastside Catholic   PRZ: 4   Rivals: 2 (79th nationally)   247: 2 (composite)   Here's what PRZ wrote about Havili when he was a freshman:   “There are very few athletes nationwide who dominate up front physically like he did as a freshman. Havili earned second team all-conference honors and MVP'd Michigan's camp over the offseason. His stock will continue to sky rocket.”   That only continued in his sophomore campaign, as he earned Metro League Defensive Lineman of the Year and we called him a “top-20 defensive lineman” nationally.    He registered 33 tackles, 7.5 sacks and three blocked kicks last fall.    Havili is rated the No. 8 defensive lineman in the country by Rivals.'   It would't surprise me at all if he rises in our next update, as his production at 6-foot-2, 315 pounds is truly impossible to ignore.   Just a predicted over a year ago, Havili is a bonafide national recruit.   He holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Michigan, UCLA, Utah, Washington and others.    DB [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'], Bellevue   PRZ: 5   Rivals: 4 (182nd nationally)   247: N/A   The 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back holds offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Oregon State, Texas A&M and many others.   He's the No. 4 player in the state by Rivals and is 182nd nationally.   At PRZ, collectively we have him at No. 5, but I wrote last week that he's a player I'd personally rank higher in our Northwest all-classes list.   “When the SEC's big boys - top-20 recruiters nationally - extend an offer to a sophomore in the state of Washington that generally grabs my attention."   “Johnson's tape shows a willingness to tackle, the ability to high-point passes for break-ups and the rare skill of being able to rip his hands through a would-be pass-catcher's to break up sure-fire receptions on the rare occasion that he's targeted.”   “Johnson already holds 12 offers and a 20-offer resume seems certain. I'd bump him higher up in the teens.”   He's a bonafide four-star talented in a loaded state.   No argument with him at the 3-4-5-6 range, depending on your taste.   He's a big-time defensive standout.    WR [player_tooltip player_id='985348' first='Jayce' last='Halasz'], Graham-Kapowsin   PRZ: 6   Rivals: 6    247: N/A   Halasz is one of the top young receivers in the region, and I think he'll eventually earn a fourth star on the national recruiting services.   Rivals listed him as an “88,” which is a high three-star prospect within striking range of four-star status.    As a sophomore, he was first-team all-league at receiver and second-team all-league as a defensive back, hauling in 64 passes for 1,023 yards and 12 touchdowns.   Halasz is the only top-8 Washington prospect without a Power 4 offer.   That's an oversight.   He's a big-time playmaker and I'd bet on him being one of the most productive pass-catchers on the entire West Coast.   Get in early to gain favor, because 20-plus offers are within striking distance for him.   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1857585' first='Kyler' last='Harden'], O'Dea   PRZ: 7   Rivals: 3 (146th nationally)   247: N/A   This looks like a much larger discrepancy in the rankings than the reality.    PRZ is actually quite high on the potential of the 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman, who we see as an easy projectable double-digit offer guy and national recruit.   Harden missed the majority of his sophomore season due to an injury, and needs a little more film to move up the list.   But if he can stay healthy and deliver on his promise, there's little double he'll jump a few spots.   Here's what we wrote about Harden in December while discussing him with FSP CEO Tracy Ford, calling him one of the highest-risers on the entire West Coast:   “I think he's going to have everybody in the country before it's all done. He'll be one of the most highly recruited guys in our state and region. He's got the size, the strength and the athleticism. He was damn good (in FSP camp) and was the top lineman.”    LB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='985511' first='Kaicen' last='Carter'], Federal Way   PRZ: 8   Rivals: 7   247: 4 (composite)   The hype for Carter is extremely loud, and he has the offers to prove it - Cal, Minnesota, Washington and others.   The issue?   There's very limited tape available on the 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker/wide receiver so far.   If that matches the hype, he could be a mover in an update.   Rivals ranked eight Washington players in its updated rankings.   To see our list of 1-140, click here:

This week, Rivals released its class of 2028 rankings, and eight Washington players made the cut.