Defensive stock-risers in PRZ Louisiana's latest 2028 rankings

Prep Redzone Louisiana released its latest 2028 class rankings update Thursday and continues taking a deeper dive into some of the newest developments.   A few familiar faces on the offensive side of the ball saw their rankings rise within the top 100 after strong performances sophomore year from the season this past fall to continued showcases of their talent this spring and early summer.   The movement started at the top with small — in terms of number of spots — but notable climbs near the very top of the list and included one particularly sizable leap up the list as well.   Also, because of some high-ranking debuts, a few legitimate stock-risers in terms of recruiting value saw their ranking number hold steady or slip slightly just by the nature of the expanding list.   Here's a look at six that particularly stood out.   Aidan Adams — 6-3, 215 LB — Ruston   The biggest rankings leap among defensive players in the latest 2028 list update goes to the Bearcats' linebacker, who has continued to stand out in a loaded unit for the program. Adams earned a top-50 debut ranking last year with some limited available sub-varsity footage and quickly exceeded the mark with a sophomore season in which he was a tackle machine in the middle of a state runner-up defense, including some impressive performances in some of the team's biggest games. His length, athleticism and instincts make him one of the top prospects in the class, including a leap into the top 10 in the latest rankings update.   Darren Coates — 5-11, 205 LB/EDGE — St. Augustine   Coates maintains his top-25 positioning in the latest round of rankings updates and has continued to bolster his value as a recruit as he proves himself a well-rounded linebacker at the state's highest level of high school competition and in a variety of offseason camp settings. Coates initially hit the PRZLA radar with his his explosiveness, quickness and tenacity as an edge rusher and has continued to excel in that area, but he's also a stout tackler in the box and has continued to prove himself reliable in coverage when called upon to do so.   Kameron Grisby — 6-3, 185 DB/WR — University Lab   Grisby debuted last summer at a top-20 prospect in the class and made a nice leap into the top 10 in the latest round of updates. He has the ideal tall, long frame many coaches around the country covet in their cornerbacks, as well as the discipline and demeanor to hold up and excel on an island. He continues to look bigger and stronger now as he wraps up his sophomore year and prepares for his junior season ahead. And while his college offer list has started to explode, he has remained hungry and focused on his technique with the type of mentality that tends to turn potential into success.   Jaden Keelen — 6-0, 190 DB — John Curtis   Another already highly ranked prospect who climbed a few more spots into the top 10, the Patriots' fast and physical defensive back has continued to cement himself as one of the top prospects in the class with each opportunity. Keelen is a fluid athlete with quick feet and plays with great instincts, confidence and patience. And athletically, he consistently runs 40-yard dashes in the 4.4-second range, and few defensive backs in class enjoy playing as physically from his aggressiveness at the line in press-man to his tackling. He's one of several promising, future Division-I college defensive backs in the John Curtis secondary. And even in the most high-profile and highly competitive camp settings, he constantly rises to the occasion as a top performer.   Christian Martin — 5-11, 175 DB — St. Paul's   Martin's ranking number slipped a few spots because of some debuts and leaps higher on the list, but he's a prospect who considerably bolstered his overall recruiting stock during the past year with a productive sophomore campaign and a his overall physical develop into an increasingly strong and well-rounded defensive back and, for that matter, three-phase playmaker for his Wolves. Several colleges have joined his offer list in recent months, and he's squarely on the radar of some major-conference programs who will be watching closely this fall.   Hayden Monroe — 6-2, 220 EDGE/LB — Carencro   The Golden Bears' two-way and multisport standout is another example of a player who say his ranking number slip some because of other notable debuts or leaps, but who has overall boosted his recruiting stock during the past year. Monroe bulked up a good amount from freshman to sophomore years and used his combination of length, athleticism and increased strength to make his presence felt off the edge in a hard-nosed Class 5A district. He's also managed this offseason to showcase some of his potential as an off-ball linebacker where he has largely looked comfortable and confident in coverage, including some well-played reps for deflections at LSU camp this month.

Prep Redzone Louisiana released its latest 2028 class rankings update Thursday and continues taking a deeper dive into some of the newest developments.