2028 Rankings: Defensive New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last month, there's a good chance you've heard a few names who'd perviously gone unnoticed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A large number of juniors have seen their roles increase, their playing time become even more vital to their respective programs. We've noticed it, too, but maybe not in the same fashion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all honesty, the 59 players we've added to the Prep RedZone South Carolina Class of 2028 rankings weren't a product of the last month. In fact, many of them we've been tracking over the last 12 calendar months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've watched as they've developed into even better versions of themselves. And into spots where missing their names for the foreseeable future might be a you problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of those 59, 27 primarily play defense - or are expected to be a bigger factor on that side of the ball. They now find themselves ranked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's continue introducing all of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2325502' first='Hudson' last='Maxwell'] EDGE/TE, Fort Mill - They didn't give him an offensive number by accident, but keep an eye on his development along the defensive line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1823748' first='Issac' last='Arnold'] DB/WR, Pickens - Pickens has quietly built some talent around its start senior quarterback, and Arnold is among them</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1821945' first='JC' last='Chakides'] LS/DL, Ben Lippen - Athletic long snapper has also earned some serious PT at the defensive end spot for his junior year&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1824604' first='Kayden' last='Sumpter'] DB, Lower Richland - Team's starting safety should flirt with 50-plus tackles this fall as he morphs into his full-time role</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1819410' first='Shane' last='Corley'] - DL, Catawba Ridge - May be the perfect microcosm of Catawba's blue-collar mentality and what it can produce on defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1816323' first='Levi' last='Jones'] DL/OL, Chesterfield - Jones' flexibility at tackle and defensive end helps some fast-rising skill guys do their thing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1821947' first='Reece' last='Williams'] LB/WR, Ben Lippen - He could eclipse his 61 tackles from his sophomore year now that's he's grown into his 6-foot-5 frame</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818145' first='Jalaal' last='Deck'] LB, Dorman - Outside backer can drop down as an overhang or get from sideline-to-sideline as the need arises&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1648965' first='Tyler' last='Sumpter'] DL/OL, North Central - Two-way starter is arguably one of the biggest stabilizing forces on the Knights' roster&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1824215' first='Braihlin' last='Paylor'] DB, May River - Was credited with 39 tackles, three pass break-ups, a forced fumble and an interception as a sophomore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1817131' first='Joshua' last='Mickey'] DL, Spring Valley - The Vikings will be hoping for a whole lot more than his nine tackles for loss this year and next</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818596' first='Jakobe' last='Jones'] LB, Cross - Jones was a bit of an understudy last season, but he showed with his 44 tackles that it was only the beginning of what the Trojans can expect from him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822992' first='Davaris' last='James'] LB, Hartsville - Team's top returning linebacker put up 72 stops, four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery during his sophomore campaign</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1764401' first='Ethan' last='Seabrook'] DB, May River - About to see a significant bump in playing time, and it's not like he was a lightly used guy before&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822717' first='Peyton' last='Kinley'] LB/RB - Orangeburg-Wilkinson - Calhoun County transfer is going to see all sorts of time on both side of the ball for the Bruins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1816262' first='Kasa' last='Milo'] DL, Fort Dorchester - In just seven games last fall, he put up 18 tackles and three tackles for loss to go along with two sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='952537' first='Ashton' last='Carter'] DB, Rock Hill - Bearcats cornerback is using his speed to turn heads at this level and the next one</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2153017' first='Ryan' last='Szymansky'] DB, Oceanside Collegiate - Szymansky makes an already stout Landsharks secondary even better and deeper than it was</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2267936' first='TK' last='Keenon'] LB, Spartanburg - Brings another run-stopping threat to the equation while showing how potent he can be on the blitz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1673760' first='BJ' last='Platts'] LB, Dutch Fork - Platts only saw five varsity games last year, but he's been groomed to fill the graduation void for nine months and already earned a starting spot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2267881' first='Rashad' last='Jordan'] DL/OL, CA Johnson - Went from a limited-time guy with potential to one who can put his length to good use as a starter on both sides</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1817257' first='Eli' last='Porter'] LB, Christ Church - Weight room junkie moved into the program and will play outside backer and probably a little H-Back for the Cavs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1824297' first='Angelo' last='Crescenzi'] DB, Atlantic Collegiate - One of the Armada's best defensive players is ready for more attention and the expectations attached to it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1820252' first='Malik' last='Stevens'] DL, Greenwood - Speed, footwork and power are elevating him well beyond his lack of pure height in the thick of the trenches</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2235553' first='Carder' last='Young'] DL/TE, Swansea - Block-first tight end and experienced defensive lineman can continue to show the Tigers are moving in the right direction</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='951250' first='Caleb' last='Foley'] LB, Indian Land (pictured) - Won't have the pressure of expectations after joining a stacked defensive unit, but that time isn't far off</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2058589' first='Jaylen' last='Bacote'] DL/OL, Dillon - Bacote has the physical tools to turn into the next big thing to come out of Dillon&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->