2028 Rankings Update: New Additions to the Top 125

Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!   Every rankings cycle brings a few new names into the fold, and this update is no different. The players featured below earned their way into the 2028 Top 125 through a combination of on-field production, offseason development, camp performances, and increased recruiting attention. Some have been on our radar for quite some time, while others forced their way into the rankings with strong sophomore campaigns or impressive offseason showings. Breaking into the rankings is never easy, especially in a deep 2028 class, but these prospects did enough to prove they belong among the state's top players heading into their junior seasons.    2028 Bluefield DL Travis Francisco Jr makes his debut just outside the Top 100 and enters the rankings as the #6 DL in the class. While he may be a bit undersized compared to some of the other defensive linemen in the group, Francisco's production and film made him difficult to ignore. The fact that he earned meaningful snaps as a sophomore on a state runner-up team speaks volumes about the trust the Bluefield coaching staff had in him. Francisco plays with an aggressive style, gets off the ball quickly, and consistently finds ways to disrupt plays in the backfield. He shows good leverage, flashes the ability to shoot gaps, and can line up in multiple spots along the defensive front. Francisco also moves well laterally and plays with the type of physical edge you like to see from an interior defender. There is still room for physical development, but we expect his stock to continue trending upward as he gains experience.     2028 Woodrow Wilson WR Maddox Morris earns a spot in the rankings despite no game film available for evaluation. What helped separate Morris was the opportunity to see him in person at our Exposure Series, where he showed enough flashes to warrant a closer look. Morris plays in a Wing-T offense, which naturally limits receiver opportunities, but his skill set suggests there could be more production available in a scheme that throws the ball more consistently. One of the things that stood out was how polished he looked as a route runner for his age. Morris runs clean routes, works efficiently through his breaks, and shows the athleticism needed to create separation. He also recently picked up an offer from Concord, adding another layer to his strong offseason. With more opportunities to showcase his abilities, Morris is a player who could continue climbing the rankings in future updates.     2028 Independence DL Carson Jones brings a different skill set than many of the defensive linemen in this class. Jones is a true interior presence at 5'11 320 who does a lot of the dirty work that helps a defense function. He plays with good power, occupies space well, and has the strength to command attention from multiple blockers. What I liked on film was that Jones is more than just a space eater. He showed the ability to get penetration, disrupt plays in the backfield, and give offensive lines issues. Jones was a valuable piece of Independence's defense as a sophomore and consistently played the run well. Interior defensive linemen with his size and strength at this age are not easy to find, making him a deserving addition to the rankings.     2028 Huntington OL TC Vaughn enters the rankings as more of a projection than a finished product at this stage. Vaughn spent last season primarily at the JV level, which keeps him lower in the rankings for now, but there is a path for him to rise quickly over the next year. He has a squatty, broad frame and showed good strength against JV competition, giving him a solid foundation to build from. The next step will be proving those traits translate against varsity competition. Huntington graduated several linemen, creating opportunities for younger players to step into larger roles, and Vaughn is one of the names firmly in the mix for those openings. If he earns a starting spot and performs well this fall, do not be surprised to see Vaughn make a significant move in future rankings updates.     Another 2028 Huntington OL to know is Tommy Conner IV. He finds himself in a similar situation to teammate TC Vaughn heading into the season. Conner spent much of last year starting at left tackle on the JV squad and now has an opportunity to compete for varsity snaps with several spots opening up along the offensive line. What stands out about Conner is that he has the athleticism to potentially stay at tackle as he moves up the ladder, which always carries value. Like Vaughn, much of his evaluation is based on projection at this point, but the foundation is there. The offseason is an important one for Conner as he prepares for the jump in competition, and Huntington's coaching staff will be looking for players ready to seize those opportunities. If Conner earns a starting role and translates his success from JV to AAAA varsity football, his stock could rise quickly over the course of the season.     2028 Elkins OL Isaac Workman is a prospect we have been able to evaluate from multiple angles over the last year and debuts in the rankings. After seeing Workman in person at the Exposure Series and evaluating his sophomore film, there was enough there to warrant a spot in the Top 125. Elkins' Wing-T offense asks a lot of its offensive linemen, and Workman consistently showed he could handle those responsibilities. He moves well for the position, gets out in space effectively on pulls, and plays with the physicality you want to see from a run-first lineman. Workman is not limited to one side of the ball either, as his versatility translates to defense as well. More than anything, he looks comfortable within the system and does a good job executing what is asked of him. Those traits, combined with what we saw in person, made him a player we felt deserved recognition in this update.

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