<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>On Monday, we dropped a massive <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/10/updated-2028-north-carolina-rankings/">2028 rankings update</a>, and it's time to highlight the new players added. I went <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/10/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-midseason-update-2/">behind the scenes</a> to give more info on the players who told the story of this update. Let's look at the newly ranked quarterbacks.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 2028 QBs Were Added to the Rankings?</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622367"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acd88e15cbd8"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Esmailian has the type of arm talent that pops on film. He's comfortable both in rhythm and when the play breaks down, especially when flushed to his right. If you're unfamiliar with Esmailian, it's probably because he's new here. The junior transferred into Leesville midseason from Southern California. I'm interested to see what kind of run Leesville Road can make in a loaded 8A bracket.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2404803"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acd88e15cc4d"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Nisley is a fearless passer, a guy who isn't afraid to throw over the middle or into tight coverage. I like that he plays on time and in rhythm, and he clearly has full command of that offense. Clearly, the North Davidson coaching staff agrees, and the run-pass splits are far different with Nisley under center. He's not really a runner, but he navigates the pocket well, and resets his feet to deliver accurately and with plenty of arm strength.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2380784"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acd88e15cca4"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Smoky Mountain runs a lot of shotgun triple option, requiring Cooper to make quick reads based on his keys. That's a strength of his that translates to the dropback passing game. He's decisive as a passer, getting through his reads quickly and delivering with conviction. He's highly athletic, and he'll do more in the designed quarterback running game than most high school guys. He thrives off of QB Power and counter, which is fun to watch when he's able to find the hole and accelerate.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2214508"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6acd88e15ccf6"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Hutchison's film is really impressive, and I love how the North Wilkes coaching staff is playing to his strengths. The Vikings spread out the defense, let Hutchison read pre-snap, and deliver on time to take advantage of his accuracy. He's also an excellent runner, and he loves taking advantage of light boxes. Hutchison is an excellent athlete with a live arm and an accurate deep ball. The offense is set up to take advantage of his diverse skill set.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><em>Matt Morrow, Zane Rowland, and I have plenty to add to the 2028 rankings over the next week. Want to get in front of our Prep Redzone scouts? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2586/register/stock-up-showcase-carolinas">Stock Up Showcase</a>. Use code <strong>SUHelms25OFF</strong> for 25% off registration.</em></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/app/"></a></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
On Monday, we dropped a massive 2028 rankings update, and it's time to highlight the new players added. I went behind the scenes to give more info on the players who told the story of this update. Let's look at the newly ranked quarterbacks.
Esmailian has the type of arm talent that pops on film. He's comfortable both in rhythm and when the play breaks down, especially when flushed to his right. If you're unfamiliar with Esmailian, it's probably because he's new here. The junior transferred into Leesville midseason from Southern California. I'm interested to see what kind of run Leesville Road can make in a loaded 8A bracket.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Nisley is a fearless passer, a guy who isn't afraid to throw over the middle or into tight coverage. I like that he plays on time and in rhythm, and he clearly has full command of that offense. Clearly, the…
Smoky Mountain runs a lot of shotgun triple option, requiring Cooper to make quick reads based on his keys. That's a strength of his that translates to the dropback passing game. He's decisive as a passer, getting through his reads…
Hutchison's film is really impressive, and I love how the North Wilkes coaching staff is playing to his strengths. The Vikings spread out the defense, let Hutchison read pre-snap, and deliver on time to take advantage of his accuracy. He's also an excellent runner, and he loves taking advantage of light boxes. Hutchison is an excellent athlete with a live arm and an accurate deep ball. The offense is set up to take advantage of his diverse skill set.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Highlights
Matt Morrow, Zane Rowland, and I have plenty to add to the 2028 rankings over the next week. Want to get in front of our Prep Redzone scouts? Sign up for our Stock Up Showcase. Use code SUHelms25OFF for 25% off registration.
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and every scouting report.