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Four Fast Risers Added To the 2028 Rankings

Four Fast Risers Added To the 2028 Rankings
Bryan Ault
Bryan Ault February 20, 2026 @ 05:34 PM
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In this article:

Jack Kirch
Jack Kirch 6'7" | 265 lbs | OL | 2028
OH
Joshua Erkins
Joshua Erkins 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB | 2028
OH
Michael Heckert-Welborne
Michael Heckert-Welborne 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB | 2028
OH
Ziyon Wallace
Ziyon Wallace 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB/WR | 2028
OH
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We added hundreds of prospects to our rankings in Ohio last month for the Class of 2028. In our next article and multi-part series, we break down four new additions and will continue to do so throughout the months of February and March. These four early risers have a chance to become high-impact players in the fall and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2123365"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6998ef826e057"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2123365' first='Joshua' last='Erkins'] is a strong and tough linebacker from Withrow. Erkins can thump in space, flashes being a heavy hitter and has great instincts. He also has very good range, takes great angles to the ball and shows he can defend the flat too. High-motor, high-potential linebacker holds offers from Louisville and Kent State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1661678"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6998ef826e0fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1661678' first='Ziyon' last='Wallace'] is a tough running back who refuses to go down. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound tailback is a very physical runner who requires multiple defenders to bring him down. He checks in at No. 14 for his position, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him rise quickly up the boards with a strong junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2092053"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6998ef826e18a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Michael Heckert-welborne was added to our rankings thanks to his strong coverage abilities. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound corner can match receivers downfield on fades. He can high-point the ball, wins one-on-one battles and plays with great use-of-hands and timing to break up passes. He recorded 40 tackles and one forced fumble last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2128374"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6998ef826e218"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One could see [player_tooltip player_id='2128374' first='Jack' last='Kirch'], an offensive tackle for Elder, developing into one of the top offensive line prospects in the Midwest by the end of next fall. Kirch flashes a mean streak in the run game. He has a quick first step, strong use of hands and runs his feet on contact. He displays good hand placement and strike timing in pass protection, and has the foot speed to lateral set and win at the corner v. wide rushers. At 6-foot-7, 265 pounds, he has a great frame with plenty of room to get bigger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

We added hundreds of prospects to our rankings in Ohio last month for the Class of 2028. In our next article and multi-part series, we break down four new additions and will continue to do so throughout the months of February and March. These four early risers have a chance to become high-impact players in the fall and beyond.

Joshua Erkins

Joshua Erkins

OH
LB
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 195
POS LB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Joshua
Erkins LB
Class
2028
Height
6'1"
Weight
195
HS
Withrow
|
OH
Four Fast Risers Added To the 2028 Rankings
Joshua Erkins is a strong and tough linebacker from Withrow. Erkins can thump in space, flashes being a...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Joshua Erkins

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Withrow
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Ziyon Wallace

Ziyon Wallace

OH
RB/WR
HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 170
POS RB/WR
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Ziyon
Wallace RB/WR
Class
2028
Height
5'10"
Weight
170
HS
Hughes
|
OH
Four Fast Risers Added To the 2028 Rankings
Ziyon Wallace is a tough running back who refuses to go down. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound tailback is a...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Ziyon Wallace

Instagram Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Hughes
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Michael Heckert-Welborne

Michael Heckert-Welborne

OH
DB
HEIGHT 5'8"
WEIGHT 160
POS DB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Michael
Heckert-Welborne DB
Class
2028
Height
5'8"
Weight
160
HS
Thomas Worthington
|
OH
Four Fast Risers Added To the 2028 Rankings
Michael Heckert-welborne was added to our rankings thanks to his strong coverage abilities. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound corner can...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Michael Heckert-Welborne

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Thomas Worthington
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jack Kirch

Jack Kirch

OH
OL
HEIGHT 6'7"
WEIGHT 265
POS OL
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Jack
Kirch OL
Class
2028
Height
6'7"
Weight
265
HS
Elder
|
OH
Four Fast Risers Added To the 2028 Rankings
One could see Jack Kirch , an offensive tackle for Elder, developing into one of the top offensive...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jack Kirch

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Elder
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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