2028 Rankings Update: Defensive Additions
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<p>The spring evaluation period led to 29 total additions to the Prep RedZone Class of 2028 rankings.</p>
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<p>For the most part, this crop can be squeezed into a category that includes some lofty plans. Are they are still relatively green? Of course.</p>
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<p>But what they've done is all noteworthy, especially considering each of the newcomers was finishing up eighth grade this time a year ago.</p>
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<p>Our introductions to all of them will start on defense, where 10 of the additions primarily line up on a play-to-play basis.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1636916' first='De'Andre' last='Caldwell'] DB, Swansea - Caldwell only played a small number of snaps last fall, but it's evident his abilities in the backfield are a much bigger part of the plan moving forward.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672936' first='Kaleb' last='Brooks'] DB, South Aiken - In just a handful of games last fall, Brooks proved he could be a solid cover corner who didn't mind dropping his shoulder pads into ball carriers. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672934' first='Landon' last='Simmons'] DL, Stratford - Simmons is current 6-foot-1 but has a wingspan just shy of 81 inches. Think he might give the Knights even more length at end?</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672929' first='Malachi' last='Thompson'] DB, Broome - Thompson is already a physical corner who also helped get his feet wet on special teams. His snap county should shoot through the roof in 2025.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672918' first='Kayden' last='Rogers'] DB, Latta - Rogers has the eventual look of the next two-way standout for the Vikings, as he also averaged north of 10 yards per carry. He's going to play some safety, too.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672907' first='Heyward' last='Belser'] LB, Heathwood Hall - Belser wrapped up his freshman season by finishing fourth on the team in tackles (71) while adding four tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672904' first='Logan' last='Thames'] DB, Nation Ford - First-year coach Jake Bentley has an immediate contributor who brings some power and his wheels into the defensive backfield. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672857' first='Blake' last='Cochran'] ATH, Chesnee - Also a tailback, Cochran brings an elite speed (22.06 miles per hour) to the Eagles' secondary as a corner or potentially even a safety.</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1051659' first='Hayden' last='Denmark'] LB, Goose Creek (pictured) - After finishing with north of 60 tackles, Denmark now steps into a leadership role for the Gators on the defensive side of the ball. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1672843' first='Ry'Keem' last='Robinson'] DB, Ware Shoals - Robinson didn't waste any time making an impact for the Hornets, putting up five interceptions, two pick-sixes, 60 tackles and three forced fumbles.</p>
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The spring evaluation period led to 29 total additions to the Prep RedZone Class of 2028 rankings.
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