Highest-debuting defensive prospects in LA’s latest 2028 rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Louisiana released its latest 2027 class rankings update Monday, including a several notable new faces after breakout junior years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The debuts on the defensive side included promising prospects at every level — linemen, linebackers and secondary — with Power-Four potential </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the five highest-debuting defensive standouts in the latest update with one even cracking the top five, another in the top 15 and three more in the top 30. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1866681' first='Shamar' last='Evans'] — 6-2, 200 RB — Ruston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats' new linebacker is the highest-ranking debut on the list overall after returning to his home state this winter already a high-profile prospect on the recruiting trail with college offers beginning to roll in during his short stay in neighboring Mississippi. Evans has great positional size and athleticism and the versatility to be effective whether called upon to blitz, run-fit or cover. He is still catching up to speed with his new program and battling through its strong depth chart, but he has the athletic profile to challenge as the top prospect in the class and the opportunity ahead this fall to back up the early hype.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2234574' first='Ronald' last='Crawford'] — 6-3, 340 DL — De La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big defensive tackle is the top-debuting lineman on either side of the ball after an all-district campaign this fall — among the most productive players in the class early on — and amid an exploding list of Power-Four offers. We haven't had the chance yet to see Crawford live, but his listed measurables and sophomore highlights are both excellent. His get-off and quickness pop off the film over and over again as he burst by blockers to blow up plays before they can even get going. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2234575' first='Seth' last='Collins'] — 5-11, 180 DB — Evangel Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether during actual games in the fall or camp or 7-on-7 settings in the offseason, the Eagles' corner is developing a résumé as one of the state's top takeaway artists with his instincts and ball skills. And he only appears to be continuing to stockpile confidence over time. Collins has been checking athletic testing boxes during camp season with his 40-yard dash and shuttle in the 4.5- and 4.4-second ranges, respectively, and he plays even faster with his instincts and recognition setting him up to often seem as through he sees the play even before it develops and beat receivers to the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2133056' first='Brandon' last='Green'] — 5-11, 180 DB — Holy Cross</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' safety is among the most versatile and high-impact defensive playmakers in the class with reliable and hard-hitting tackling all over the field, including his effectiveness blitzing off the edge, and his ability to read and track throws down the field and make even acrobatic, leaping interceptions look routine. He is a tone-setter with the potential to swing a game substantially on any given play and someone of whose location opposing offenses have to be aware at all times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2234582' first='Jabari' last='Levingston'] — 6-1, 180 DB/ATH — Lincoln Prep </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Levingston may be a name many fans around the state are only just beginning to learn in recent months coming from a small-town Class 1A school, but not because of a lack of production. He has already been an absolute star on both the football field and basketball court. His sophomore season on the gridiron included more than 1,350 all-purpose yards with 873 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing, nine catches for 247 yards and a score and effect contributions in the return game as well. But he is expected to more likely play defensive back at the next level where his handful of interceptions provided some impressive early glimpses of his instincts, break and ball skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->