As the fall sports season charges ahead, the spotlight is shining bright on the class of 2028’s most promising high school athletes. From the football fields of Virginia to the hardwood courts of California and North Carolina, a new wave of talent is already making waves in the national recruiting scene. College coaches from powerhouse programs are taking notice—and the offers are rolling in earlier than ever.
On September 24, 2025, Tustin High School in California saw its sophomore quarterback, Ayden Edwards, receive a significant scholarship offer from the University of Michigan. Edwards, a member of the class of 2028, had visited Ann Arbor earlier in the season and left campus with more than just memories. Michigan’s decision to extend an offer to Edwards underscores the Wolverines’ active push into the western United States for quarterback talent this recruiting cycle. For Edwards, the offer marks a pivotal early milestone in what promises to be a closely watched recruitment. As he navigates the initial stages of his process, the attention from a Big Ten powerhouse sets a high bar for what’s to come.
Meanwhile, the women’s basketball world is abuzz following the September 24 release of Rivals’ initial 2028 recruiting rankings. The list features the top 25 players nationwide, and it’s already clear that this class is stacked with elite talent. Five prospects earned a coveted 99 rating, signaling their status as the cream of the crop. Leading the pack is 6-foot guard Tatianna Griffin from Ontario, California, whose dominance and scoring prowess have been on full display over the past year. Griffin’s rapid ascent to the top of the rankings has drawn the eyes of every major program in the country.
Not far behind is 6-foot-1 guard Jordyn Haywood out of Saint Louis, Missouri. Haywood, ranked No. 2, has already collected offers from Indiana, Notre Dame, North Carolina, and TCU—an impressive haul for someone so early in her high school career. Rounding out the top five are Sydney Douglas, a 6-foot-5 forward, 6-foot-4 wing Ella Peper, and 5-11 point guard Chloe Johnson. Each of these players has garnered interest from premier programs, ensuring that their recruitment will be a national storyline for months to come.
Beyond the top five, several stock-risers are making their presence felt. Janaya Cooper, a 5-10 forward from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has seen her recruitment heat up after an impressive offseason, pulling in offers from Illinois, Ohio State, and Louisville. Erin Thomas, a 6-1 guard from Cincinnati, recently took an unofficial visit to Kentucky and has collected offers from Clemson, TCU, and North Carolina. Sutton Villa, a 6-6 post player from Provo, Utah, has also been racking up offers, including from Iowa, Ohio State, TCU, and Oklahoma State. These rising stars are quickly becoming household names in recruiting circles.
While most of the top 25 remain uncommitted, one player has already made her college choice. Jhaliana Guy, ranked No. 15, has pledged to the Stanford Cardinal, making her the lone commit among the early elite. Her decision to join Stanford—a perennial powerhouse in women’s basketball—sets the stage for what could be a transformative college career.
Switching gears to the men’s game, North Carolina has a new name to watch in the class of 2028: Kenyon St. Louis. Standing at 6-foot-2, St. Louis is preparing to lead Winston-Salem Christian High School this season after relocating from up north. Known for producing high-level talent, Winston-Salem Christian is the perfect stage for St. Louis to showcase his skills. The young guard isn’t just making noise locally; he’s already caught the attention of college coaches nationwide.
St. Louis, who played for the Canadian National Team, describes himself as a calm floor general. “I like to operate with the ball in my hands. I’m very good at making reads, knowing when to get mine, and knowing when to make a play. I provide heart and effort. I provide what the team needs me to be,” he told Phenom Hoops. That self-awareness and versatility have drawn early scholarship offers from UNLV, High Point, Mississippi State, Arizona State, LIU, Morgan State, and Florida State. When asked if any school stands out, St. Louis didn’t hesitate: “Florida State does. FSU has been growing a connection with me, and that is key for where I end up at the next level.” While he hasn’t scheduled any visits yet, the recruitment process is clearly off to a roaring start for this rising star.
On the football front, Virginia Beach’s Green Run High School is celebrating the meteoric rise of Junious Clay, a 2028 EDGE/OLB whose recruitment has exploded in 2025. Clay received his first offer from Virginia Tech in January, and since then, the list has only grown: Syracuse, Penn State, Maryland, and Southern Mississippi have all joined the chase. He’s also been in contact with North Carolina and Florida State, rounding out an impressive group of suitors.
For Clay, the offer from Syracuse carried special weight. “I have mad love for Cuse. It’s my Dad’s dream school,” he shared with The Juice Online. The connection to Syracuse runs deeper than football, as Clay detailed the vision shared by head coach Fran Brown and tight ends coach Michael Johnson. Brown’s philosophy, centered on being detailed, accountable, relentless, and tough (D.A.R.T.), left a strong impression. “He’s a great coach. I could tell he loves what he does as a coach,” Clay said.
Academics are a top priority for Clay, who appreciated Coach Johnson’s advice to keep pushing in school—“You can’t be nothing without the grades.” On the field, Clay’s relentless approach has propelled his Stallions to a perfect 4-0 start this season. “I am relentless,” he stated simply, a mantra that’s clearly paying off.
As for what he’s looking for in a college, Clay is focused on development and life beyond football. “Somewhere like if football wasn’t there, would I still go there?” he explained. With several seasons left before any decisions are made, schools like Syracuse, Florida State, Penn State, and North Carolina are already emerging as top contenders.
With so much talent in the class of 2028, the recruiting landscape is shifting earlier and faster than ever before. Offers are coming in hot, and young athletes are responding with poise, ambition, and a clear sense of what they want in their futures. From the football fields of Virginia to the basketball courts of California and North Carolina, these rising stars are already shaping the future of college sports. As the season unfolds and more offers inevitably roll in, fans and coaches alike will be watching closely to see who rises, who commits, and who becomes the next household name in American sports.
