Southern Illinois 2028 Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 class in Southern Illinois is beginning to show some promising early talent, with several names already making noise across the region. While it is still early in the process, this group brings size, versatility, and upside that should continue to develop over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683691' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] – ATH, Centralia (6'4”, 185)</strong><br>Bratton is one of the more intriguing early athletes in Southern Illinois. His length and frame immediately stand out, and his versatility gives him the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. He is a prospect whose stock could continue to rise quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683690' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] – QB, Centralia (6'3”, 205)</strong><br>Goewey gives the region a quarterback prospect with excellent size and long-term upside. He already has the physical tools college staffs like to see at the position and should continue to gain momentum as he adds experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brentley Nicklin – WR, Breese Mater Dei (6'0”, 180)</strong><br>Nicklin is another local name worth keeping an eye on. He has good size on the outside and the frame to continue developing into a reliable target in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2087902' first='Owen' last='Kehrer'] – QB, Breese Central (6'2”, 185)</strong><br>Kehrer gives the area another intriguing quarterback prospect. At 6'2”, 185 pounds, he already has a strong build for his age and the type of frame that projects well moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2084252' first='Hunter' last='Valentine'] – LB, Pinckneyville (6'0”, 200)</strong><br>Valentine adds a defensive presence to this regional group. He has a solid linebacker build and the physicality to continue developing into a dependable piece on that side of the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140736' first='Joel' last='White'] – RB, Carlinville (5'10”, 170)</strong><br>White is another Southern Illinois name to know. Running backs from this region often emerge quickly with more varsity reps, and White has the profile to continue trending upward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687164' first='Cole' last='Stiegman'] – QB, Nashville (6'3”, 170)</strong><br>Stiegman brings another high-upside quarterback body to the region. His size stands out immediately, and as he continues to develop physically and gain experience, he is a name that could continue to rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Illinois may still be building overall depth in the 2028 class, but this early group gives the region several strong names to watch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->