2028 Rankings: The Stockrisers

Since our last rankings cycle in the spring, so much has changed for the Class of 2028.    We've seen significant player movement, both to new programs inside the state and outside our borders. We've seen massive changes in players' roles as they morph into upperclassmen status. And we've certainly seen some physical and on-field development start to take serious shape.   Put it all together, and the impact on the Prep RedZone South Carolina 2028 rankings is undeniable.    Aside from some moderate shifting due to players being removed, the 13 players below have moved into a different category. They've forced our hands when it comes to the numbers next to their names, and they're all in line for eye-opening 2026 seasons.    NEW TO THE TOP 10   [player_tooltip player_id='1824948' first='Riggs' last='Savage'] TE, Powdersville (Up four spots, pictured)   By the time you finish reading this section, another college program might have offered Riggs. He's got some physical gifts that simply can't be taught. And he's got more than enough of the skills that are coached up to make us believe he's a sure-fire Top 10 player. At a verified 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Riggs is also starting to look like a sure-fire Power 4 recruit, too. His name is going to be heard for years to come.    [player_tooltip player_id='874321' first='Raphael' last='Puiu'] WR, James Island (Up seven spots)   Puiu burst onto the scene last year to the tune of 55 receptions for 1,409 yards and 18 touchdowns. The caveat to all of that was he was operating with a senior quarterback, so we slowed our roll some with him to see what the new-look signal caller would mean for Puiu. Yeah, we've convinced the fluidity of the team's biggest receiving threat isn't going to change all that much. Puiu also has enough support to prevent a pure double-team.    TOP 50 MOVEMENT   [player_tooltip player_id='1061146' first='Teru' last='Davis'] WR, Summerville (Up six spots)   Davis was a super-strong second option in the Green Wave receiving group last year. He caught 21 passes for 467 yards and three touchdowns. The most noticeable part of those figures was his average of 22.2 yards per reception. What we didn't see enough of was just how fast he's become since the team's state championship appearance. Davis is a verified 4.5 speedster who is now WR1 in an offense that is going to throw a lot in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821952' first='Kareem' last='Dupree'] DB, Dutch Fork (Up eight spots)   When we added Dupree to the rankings after last season, it was because of how much damage he was able to do as one of the Silver Foxes' starting safeties. He had five interceptions in his first nine games of varsity play. Turns out, that was only scratching the surface of his abilities. Dupree is going to turn into a hybrid defensive back, often shifting over to corner, where his height and length will cause serious problems for opposing receivers in a more direct way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1763272' first='Michael' last='Poole'] EDGE, May River (Up 37 spots)   Poole is one of the best players in the state you probably haven't heard of much. We're officially telling you that it's time for that to change. He's got every tool a defensive line coach would want out of an EDGE rusher - height (6-foot-1), weight (210 pounds), wing span (80.5 inches). He uses all of it to manipulate it into a bunch of strength and burst that frequently leaves opposing offensive tackles wondering where the hell he went. Or why their quarterbacks are on the ground.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822754' first='Desiray' last='Christian'] WR/DB, Emerald (Up 22 spots)   Christian is one of the guys who has already benefited from a transfer. It's not simply that he went from Greenwood (where he established himself as a top-flight receiver). It's that he's going to see even more playing time. Christian will double up and see a ton of snaps as a starting defensive back with the Vikings. It's going to maximize his athleticism and the ensuing exposure that comes along with it.   OTHER NOTABLE RISERS   [player_tooltip player_id='1155334' first='Damonte' last='Green'] DB, Oceanside Collegiate (Up 29 spots)   Green is in an ultra-interesting defensive backfield that has added two established standouts in [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] (Summerville) and [player_tooltip player_id='2153017' first='Ryan' last='Szymansky'] (Wando). Green led the Landsharks with five picks a season ago. And many of those came while opponents were trying to avoid other big names in Oceanside's defense. The same thing might happen this year, too, and more opportunities for Green will equate to even more interceptions.    [player_tooltip player_id='1856918' first='Cayden' last='Cathcart'] OL, South Pointe (Up 29 spots)   The Stallions had a ton of turnover throughout the roster after last year's state championship, but this offensive line is just as powerful and brings back more than enough to make opponents worry. That list includes Cathcart, who is going to start at right guard. In many programs, he'd be a starting left tackle. In the one he's at, he checks a box as one of the best interior linemen in the Class of 2028.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824433' first='Nick' last='Sargent'] TE, Belton-Honea Path (Up 28 spots)   In terms of opportunity and productivity, Sargent is about to see his shoot through the roof. During his sophomore year regular season, he caught seven passes - which by itself wasn't going to blow any minds. But he took three of those for touchdowns. Sargent is definitely the bigger pass catcher of the two Bears' tight ends, and his 6-foot-4 frame is about to see his targets shoot through the roof after the team's top receiver transferred.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822773' first='Varr' last='Thompson'] DL/OL, Rock Hill (Up 23 spots)   Thompson is on the brink of really turning some heads as a dual-threat defensive lineman. While he was at Chester, he was typically playing more on the edge. Now at Rock Hill, he's going to see more time at defensive tackle. On top of that, Thompson has also earned a spot as a starter on the Bearcats' offensive line. He's already proven his physicality, and another size increase means he's going to continue to get better and better in all three roles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823868' first='Caiden' last='Pee'] OL, Lugoff-Elgin (Up 21 spots)   For all of the flash the Demons marched into this season at the skill positions, it's impossible to ignore Pee's impact from his spot at right tackle. Pee impressed us at the Carolinas Coaches Combines back in March and hasn't stopped since. He's got a massive reach (81-inch wing span), excellent footwork and strong technique. He's going to be opening a bunch of holes for a dynamic tailback and protect a quarterback who will throw for a ton of yards.    [player_tooltip player_id='1672909' first='Camden' last='DeBruhl'] QB, Myrtle Beach (Up 33 spots)   We'd seen DeBruhl in small doses over the last two seasons, when he was the Seahawks' backup and only playing in a relief role. The rhythm he's been able to create for himself the entire offseason is starting to show now, though. He's 6-foot-2 and a well-built 180 pounds. While he can run a little bit, what should be exciting Myrtle Beach fans is his ability to really air out some mid-range and deep throws. He's got the arm strength to be an instant game changer.    [player_tooltip player_id='2109051' first='Raymond' last='Jones'] LB, Ridge View (Up 39 spots)   Blazers coach Derek Howard didn't hesitate a few weeks back, saying definitively that Jones was the best defensive player on the roster. He was credited with 25 tackles a year ago, but that was on a defense that was loaded with seniors who were chewing up most of the vital playing time. Flash forward to this season, and everything is now going to wrap around the team's starting middle linebacker and all the pursuit skills he brings to the table.

Since our last rankings cycle in the spring, so much has changed for the Class of 2028.