I spent some time in the film room this weekend as I continue to work on some new rankings updates and wanted to highlight a few players who have been standing out on tape. One group that I especially wanted to check out were the 2028s as they start going into a huge evaluation year.
Here are five 2028s who have stood out to me so far and should be getting more looks on the recruiting trail:
Carter Blayney, 2028 – DL – Gretna – 6’5″ 210 lbs – (@carterblayney)
Gretna’s Carter Blayney jumped onto my radar last season, and he has continued to flash next-level upside in his junior campaign. Through six games, Carter has tallied 18 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a half sack, and a forced fumble. Part of what stands out about Carter right away is his size at 6’5″ and 210 pounds, along with great length and room to continue packing on some mass to his frame. Blayney gets off the ball quickly and instinctively gets his hands ready to swim/rip through blockers’ attempts to get hands on him, making him a tough player to corral and keep out of the backfield. Once he’s broken through the LOS, Carter displays a great motor that drives him to stay in pursuit of the ball and has the burst to hawk down ball carriers or scrambling QBs. Solid job setting the edge against the run with a strong anchor to stack blocks. Carter’s instincts to get his long arms up when he sees the ball coming out are also a plus, as it’s led to batted passes. Great 2028 prospect with all the tools to develop into a high-level recruit in this class!
Cam Rakowsky, 2028 – RB – Lincoln Southwest – 5’10” 170 lbs – (@cam_rakowsky)
The Silver Hawks have done a great job running the ball this season behind a talented stable of junior RBs, including team rushing leader Cam Rakowsky. Through 7 games, Cam has already doubled his production from last season with 466 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on 82 carries. My biggest takeaway watching Cam is how agile and shifty he is with the ball in his hands. A soccer star in the spring, Rakowsky brings that quick, crisp footwork to the gridiron in the fall, making explosive cuts and displaying great twitch in tight quarters. On top of being agile, Cam is also very strong in his lower body, showing the balance and control to fight through tackle attempts while staying upright to fight for extra yardage after contact. Rakowsky consistently runs with good pad level and maintains a low center of gravity. He sees the field well and shows great burst when he shoots through gaps, with the acceleration to hit top gear as he separates from defenses. Cam also brings versatility as a pass-catching RB, having already hauled in 11 catches for 98 yards. Multi-sport athlete who can flat-out BALL!
Howie Beatty, 2028 – OL – Lincoln Southeast – 6’3″ 260 lbs – (@How1eBeatty)
Lincoln Southeast’s Howie Beatty is a player who was on my preseason breakout list and has lived up to that bill so far. Through six weeks, Howie has yet to give up a sack and has been pivotal as the Knights’ starting left tackle, leading the charge on a balanced offense that has thrown for 1,100+ and rushed for 1,300+ yards. On tape, Howie stands out with a great blend of size (6’3″, 260 pounds), physicality, and sound technique. He shows consistent pad level and bend in his hips/knees as he fires out of his stance and engages with defenders. This combination of leverage and quick first step helps him generate a great push at the point of attack. He has a strong base that helps him anchor against power rushers, or he can tap into his powerful leg drive to force defenders off their spot when mauling defenders over as a run blocker. Howie moves well in pass protection, showing the footwork and lateral mobility to work the edge against speedy rushers or adjust to inside counters with ease. He has good pop in his hands and smart placement on his initial punch to gain inside leverage over his opponent. Howie’s mean streak stands out on film as he is always looking to drive his opponent into the dirt for the pancake finish. Coming from a school that has produced a ton of talent on the OL, Howie looks primed to be the next one on that list!
Oaklan Soto, 2028 – LB/ATH – Central Valley – 6’2″ 190 lbs – (@oakjs_11)
The Central Valley Cougars don’t just look like a D3 favorite this year, but are also set up for next year with players like Oaklan Soto showing out in only their junior season. Soto has been a huge part of this Cougar defensive juggernaut, currently second on the team with 52 tackles and seven TFLs. Oaklan has a taller, lengthier frame at 6’2″ and 190 pounds, with room to continue adding some bulk. He has the strength to take on and disengage from linemen at the line of scrimmage while keeping his eyes in the backfield and tracking the ball. Soto’s lateral quickness can drive him sideline to sideline when hawking down RBs, and he’s a secure tackler once he gets to the ball. On offense, Oaklan stands out as a physical blocking tight end who can use leverage and a powerful leg drive to help clear defenders out of run lanes or pick up blocks downfield on explosive plays. Keep an eye on him, though, because he is a savvy pass catcher who can find the soft spots in the defense and has a big catch radius with reliable hands that can move the chains on crucial downs and in the red zone. 8-man sleeper with a lot of upside!
Connor Vrba, 2028 – ATH – Wisner-Pilger – 5’10” 150 lbs – (@Connor59264660)
We’re keeping it in the 8-man group as we check out Wisner-Pilger’s Connor Vrba, who has been a real versatile contributor to this 5-1 Gators team. Vrba can move the ball through the air or on the ground, tallying 193 rushing yards, 118 receiving yards (team leader), and two rushing touchdowns. Defensively, Vrba has added 20 tackles, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries (one return for a TD), and an interception. I was impressed by his quick trigger when keying in on the run, along with the closing speed to crash downhill and fit the run. He arrives at the ball with good tackling technique, and despite giving up some size, he can make secure tackles in the open field. Vrba flashed good range in coverage, with the fluid hips to quickly turn and get depth to defend deep passes, and he can stick with receivers as they cross the middle of the field while in man. Connor’s ball skills also seem very natural, as he can instinctively get his hands up to deflect passes or play through the receiver’s hands to break them up at the catch point. Offensively, Connor is best when you can get him the ball with space where he can quickly turn upfield and burst for a big gain. I could definitely see Connor in a nickelback or safety role, where his athleticism could make him a versatile piece in coverage, and his physicality could bring extra juice when fitting the run. Looking forward to seeing more of Connor and the Gators as they push for a deep playoff run.
