2028 Watchlist to Ranked: Defense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New 2028 prospects continue to emerge in the PRZ state player rankings. Here's a spotlight on the defensive players that moved up from the watchlist and into the updated rankings. </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Volrich is an active ILB with a high football IQ and consistent assignment discipline. Good frame built to anchor the defense at the second level measuring 6'0” 210 lbs. Quick processing ability and good awareness for ball location as the play develop against both the run and pass. Takes efficient angles to the ball and maintains proper leverage as a tackler. He's a physical downhill presence that fills gaps aggressively and shows he can scrape cleanly over the top while staying square. Rarely out of position and plays under control. Finished the 2025 season with 54 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and an interception in the state championship game. A promising up and coming prospect that will be an impact player for Casteel over the next two seasons.</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/CarterVolrich28/status/2024333468302528526 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Greer is a high caliber athlete with track level speed carrying a 100M PR of 10.83 and 200M of 22.3. 6'0” 180 lbs. he's a fluid mover in coverage that can play any position in the secondary effectively. Speed gives him great range to cover all areas of the field. Quick in the hips to transition smoothly and accelerate coming out of his back pedal or plant and drive when working downhill. Plus ball skills, he shows good judgement and tracking ability with the ball in the air and competes for it at the catch point using body control and coordination. Strong in run support, he doesn't hesitate to attack ball carriers and can close space in a hurry to limit gains. Limited sophomore season due to injury but possesses great upside and raw ability to develop on with recruitable tools as he progresses.</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/RowlenGreer/status/1987899229977907664 </div></figure>     <p>5'11” 205 lbs. Elrod carries a strong build with noticeable lower-body power and functional strength. Plus movement skills, he accelerates quickly and plays with good game speed. He's an instinctive LB with quick trigger ability to diagnose the play and good reactionary speed to drive on the ball. Plays with a physical edge to chase hard in pursuit and arrive at the ball with force. Heavy striker at the POA that finishes through contact and aggressively to the ground. Applies early pressure to the offense by beating blockers to the spot and making plays at or behind the LOS. Wide skillset to be a difference maker on both sides of the ball at LB and RB. After an injury shortened sophomore year, he remains a high upside prospect with intriguing long term potential.</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/nathanielelrod_/status/1996725194896167003 </div></figure>     <p>Anderson plays the hybrid OLB position well being able to line up as a perimeter box player or work off the edge of the LOS. 6'2” 205 lbs. he possesses the length, athleticism, and growth potential to develop in a quality college prospect. Plays hard/tough with the movement skills to be effective in space and in coverage. Shows he can step up to fill and work laterally to contain the edge and be a force player. Demonstrates that he can take on blockers and anchor down to maintain gap integrity without giving up ground. Holds a lot of tools to potentially have a breakout junior season.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson is a rangy LB who can play both inside or outside and emerged as a playmaker during his sophomore season. 6'1” 200 lbs. he flashes the versatility to stay on the field in all situations showing confidence fitting the run downhill in addition to closing throwing lanes in coverage. Instinctual with his diagnosis skills, he makes quick decisive reads and reacts with speed. Limits wasted movement with disciplined pursuit angles and closes ground efficiently, arriving with physicality and balance at the contact point. Comfortable operating in space, he shows the athleticism and body control to match up in open field situations and finish consistently as a tackler. One to watch entering his junior year.</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/MaxxWilsonn/status/2046271369751777615 </div></figure>