Newly-Ranked 2028 Edge Rushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just dropped our updated 2028 rankings, and we're starting our positional breakdowns by looking at the newest players in the rankings. After going&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-spring/">behind the scenes</a>&nbsp;of the 2028 class update, we're looking at the eight newly-ranked edge rushers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Edge Rushers Were Added to the 2028 Rankings?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Check out our other newly-ranked position pieces:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-qbs/">QBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-rbs/">RBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-ol/">OL</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/newly-ranked-2028-wrs/">WRs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2170669"],"_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-6a166a2ad5fc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite not being the first name on the depth chart at edge for East Forsyth last season, Vandergrift showed arguably the most potential of any defensive lineman on an impressive roster. He has excellent size, speed, bend, and get-off, which are pretty much the top four things I'm looking for in a college edge rushing prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2144430"],"_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-6a166a2ad6039"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Powell is the type of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/10-rural-pass-rushers-to-know/">rural athlete</a> who turns heads as soon as he hits the radar. At 6'6", 210, he's an impressive two-way player who caught three touchdown passes and had eight sacks last season. He's still developing, but if he refines his game a bit, he could be a late riser not only in our rankings, but also on college recruiting boards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2184175"],"_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-6a166a2ad607a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gardner had an excellent showing at our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prz-exposure-camp-dl-analysis/">Prep Redzone Exposure Camp</a>, pretty much coming out of nowhere to land well within our rankings. He's a long pass-rusher who is in the process of adding weight. He has a variety of pass-rushing moves in his arsenal, and that should help him make an on-field impact for Leesville Road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2197543"],"_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-6a166a2ad60b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barfield <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/5-transfer-dl-to-know/">transferred</a> to Millbrook from Sanderson, where he excelled as a run defender and showed some promise as a pass-rusher last season. He's still developing, and I'm intriguied to see how a potential change in playing time affects his future. He could be deployed situationally, and if so, look for him to make some impact plays for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2138345"],"_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-6a166a2ad60f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hall can play as a stand-up edge rusher or with his hand in the dirt, and he excelled as both a run defender and pass-rusher. Hall isn't finished growing and should continue to develop for a Franklin team that seems to be building some momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2171276"],"_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-6a166a2ad612b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solongo impressed me when I did a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/top-7-edge-rushers-in-guilford-county/">Guilford County Deep Dive</a> a few weeks ago.&nbsp;He's a high-motor pass-rusher who makes plenty of plays on secondary moves or on the other side of the field. Because of that, offenses have to account for him, and they can't simply run away from him or scheme him out of the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2153181"],"_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-6a166a2ad6175"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Locklear popped up on the radar when we did our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-edge-rushers-in-johnston-harnett-county/">Johnston County Deep Dive</a>. Cleveland had a veteran defense last year, but Locklear still cracked the defensive line rotation and played well. This year, he's likely to take on a bigger role, and we think his skill set will expand with more opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2213282"],"_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-6a166a2ad61d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blackshear recently had a strong showing at the CFI Showcase, making our rankings at the last minute. We still haven't looked at much of his film, but he displayed plenty of speed off the edge and a feel for pass-rushing. I'm excited to see how he develops, but the early returns are promising.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Joshua Graham, and me on the 2028 rankings over the next week. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em><br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->