2028 Rankings Newcomers: Defense

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New talent continues to emerge across the state in the 2028 class. In this rankings spotlight, we take a deep dive into the defensive prospects that are making their debut in the PRZ state player rankings.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2202012"],"_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-6a2b415f34b02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rocha is a three down OLB with great game awareness and eye discipline. 6'0” 190 lbs. he makes decisive reads and is able to react with speed to the ball. A plus athlete that can cover ground and close space that is also very efficient with his movement to limit wasted steps. Strong instincts to anticipate ball location and get an early break. Fills gaps aggressively against the run working downhill with good angled pursuit. Very effective in coverage being able to spot drop and relate to routes underneath, finished the 2025 season with three interceptions. Enters the ranked at #69 overall and the #13 LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22654615/69249a1c843db2a7705130f4u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2b415f34c73"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2180078"],"_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-6a2b415f34cda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">French is a high upside prospect with a transferable skillset to multiple positions depending on development. 6'2” 175 lbs. he possesses a long and lean frame with growth potential to add mass. As a sophomore, he operated mainly as a two high safety that excelled in deep coverage and in run support. He's a strider that can cover ground and shows good burst to close. He diagnoses plays quickly and shows he can read the QB's eyes to close throwing lanes and disrupt receivers at the catch point. Works downhill as a late run filler and is a reliable one on one open field tackler. Could see him transitioning to an outside backer as he matures depending on need and scheme. Debuts in the rankings at #75 overall and the #10 DB in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/FrenchJayden10/status/1995891107839049931","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FrenchJayden10/status/1995891107839049931 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2202011"],"_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-6a2b415f34d23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wood was listed earlier on the site as one of the top returning 3A tacklers after racking up 107 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles. 5'11” 170 lbs. he's an attacking LB that brings heavy force at the contact point and has a knack for creating turnovers. Diagnoses run concepts quickly and triggers without hesitation, inserting into gaps to disrupt plays before they can develop evident by his 20 tackles for loss on the season. Does a good job staying square and maintaining leverage to the ball carrier and is a violent tackler running his feet through contact. Expect another highly productive season as a junior and to be one of 3A's leading tacklers over the next two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22596221/69d3e96678308bc2b8638d1cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2b415f34d41"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2202019"],"_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-6a2b415f34d7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another one of 3A's top returning tacklers after finishing the 2025 season with 95 total. Solid all around skillset with the frame to match at 6'1” 180 lbs. Good versatility to impact the game in run support and in pass coverage. Sees the field well and shows good awareness of his threats and route concepts. Stays tight in his back pedal and maintains good pad level to transition out or change directions. Decisive with his trigger to the ball gaining speed as he flows to the correct spot. Meets ball carriers at the contact point with force and good form to secure the tackle. High effort player with the range to makes play sideline to sideline. Debuts in the rankings at #87 overall and the #12 DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22650897/6915395f4f51c1acc9e0a30cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2b415f34d97"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2118716"],"_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-6a2b415f34dbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Feliciano is a versatile front seven defender at 5'11” 190 lbs. Extremely active he can play on the edge of the box, line up on the LOS as a read/rush edge, or slide inside at the second level. He shows quick processing ability of his reads diagnosing run/pass early with good eyes to put himself in position to make a play. Steps up aggressively to fill gaps and can work through traffic/blockers on his way to the ball carrier. Does a good job breaking down in space and wrapping up effectively to get ball carriers to the ground and limit yards after contact. Like his ability to time out his blitzes and make plays at or behind the LOS as a pass rusher and run stopper. One to watch as he gains more experience and develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mikey_feliciano/status/1999535042654048457","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mikey_feliciano/status/1999535042654048457 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2121563"],"_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-6a2b415f34de5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">6'0” 210 lbs. Regalado possesses a well-built frame for the position and good natural instincts to anchor the defense. Weight room strength transitions to functional strength on the football field as he generates power through contact and wins at the POA. Plays a tough and physical style fit for a LB when taking on blocks, working through traffic, and finishing tackles. That play strength allows him to hold his ground upon contact and create knock back force. Carries his size well and flows freely to the ball showing he can play laterally and scrape over the top while staying square. Good potential, size, and foundational skillset as he develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AbelRegalado28/status/1995325794697322757","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AbelRegalado28/status/1995325794697322757 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->