Rivals Updated 2028 Football Prospect Rankings
The latest recruiting update includes 14 standout players from North Carolina within the elite Rivals300 list.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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Rivals released its updated 2028 high school football player rankings on September 22, 2026. The new list features 14 players from North Carolina, highlighting top talents like Braylon Clark and Cassell Cruickshank.
Why it matters
These rankings are essential for tracking the future of college football recruiting in North Carolina. By identifying top-tier prospects early, universities like NC State can refine their efforts to secure talent before players commit to rival programs.
The updated Rivals300 includes 14 players from North Carolina, with Braylon Clark ranked at No. 7 and Cassell Cruickshank at No. 11. Grayson Williams, another prospect, is noted as a 315-pounder in the 2028 recruiting class.
The players
Braylon Clark
He is a high school football prospect who holds the No. 7 national ranking in the 2028 class.
Joseph Gibbs
He is a high school recruit who has already made a commitment to play for South Carolina.
Kaden Craft
He is a football prospect who recently decided to commit to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Cassell Cruickshank
He is a football talent ranked No. 11 nationally in the updated 2028 class.
NC State
The university operates in Raleigh and recruits heavily within the state of North Carolina.
The details
Recruit rankings are updated periodically by the Rivals media outlet, which influences how programs like NC State approach scholarship offers following university-sponsored football camps. While some players like Joseph Gibbs and Kaden Craft have already committed to South Carolina and Tennessee respectively, many others remain highly sought after by regional programs.
Timeline
June 2025: Zamir Jackson and Justice Daye attended NC State camps.
Summer 2026: Joseph Gibbs committed to South Carolina.
September 11, 2026: Skylar Alston attended the Richmond at NC State game.
September 22, 2026: Rivals released updated 2028 football rankings.
Season Trajectory
The updated Rivals300 rankings serve as a critical baseline for the 2028 recruiting cycle, directly influencing how coaching staffs prioritize their scholarship offers. These rankings shift the competitive balance by highlighting which programs have early leads in talent acquisition compared to their regional rivals.
The high rankings for players like Braylon Clark and Cassell Cruickshank confirm their status as primary targets for major college programs in the region. Fans should watch for these names on future commitment lists, as their recruitment will likely determine the strength of local teams in the 2028 season.
The takeaway
Early recruit rankings provide a window into the competitive strategies of top college football programs. Fans interested in local sports should monitor how these 2028 prospects evolve as they navigate official visits and scholarship offers.
Further reading
For more on local talent development, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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