2024 Class: Newcomers on Board – Part 2

The staff just completed the updated rankings to include 108 players in the class.  There were several new players who were added to the rankings.  I am doing a two-part review to cover several of the newcomers.  The listed players performances are now being recognized. <strong>Johnathan Montague, Jr., QB, 6’1" 190, (No. 4 Overall/No. 3 QB), Knightdale HS</strong>.  He displayed an improved accuracy and arm strength in the three showcases that he has participated in over the past weeks.  Johnathan has been training hard during the off-season and the results shown in the showcases.  He is an accurate passer with good arm strength who can run to make him a dual-threat quarterback.  Johnathan ran a 4.69, 40-yard run which will enable him to gain big yardage when he tucks it and run.  I am looking to watching him in action during the upcoming season. <strong>Alvin (AJ) Baker, Jr., RB, 5’9" 155, (No. 52 Overall/No. 8 RB), Lake Norman HS</strong>.  AJ follows blockers and accelerates into an opening to gain big yardage.  He displayed good hands on the pass plays for catches.  AJ displayed good agility and balance while running inside to gain tough yardage.  He is expected to be one of the leaders on the offensive unit during the upcoming season.  AJ’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265789" first="Jason" last="Mcneilly"], DL, 6’2" 230, (No. 82 Overall/No. 8 DL), Shelby HS</strong>.  Jason is quick out of his stance to make contact with blockers and good use of hands to control blockers.  His quickness enables him to move past blockers, often unblocked to make the stop in the backfield.  Jason is difficult to block in a one-on-one situation.  He is expected to be one of the leaders on the defensive line during the upcoming season.  Jason’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="310363" first="Cedric" last="Ferguson"], DB, 6’1" 195, (No. 64 Overall/No. 4 DB), Carver HS</strong>.  Cedric displayed patience and reacted quickly to the play for the stop.  He displayed good technique on tackles made in the open field.  Cedric finished the season with 77 total tackles, 66 were solo tackles, and 6 tackles for losses.  He displayed good lateral movement and ability to change direction quickly.  He is expected be the leader in the defensive secondary during the upcoming season.  Cedric’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="332059" first="Jurnee" last="Lattimore"], DB, 5’10" 145, (No. 46 Overall/No. 1 DB), North Gaston HS</strong>.  Jurnee displayed patience and reacted quickly to play for the stop.  He displayed good technique on tackles made in the open field.  Jurnee displayed good lateral movement and use of long arms to cover receivers, making it difficult to complete a pass against him.  He is expected to continue his high level of play during the upcoming season.  Jurnee’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="267517" first="Finlay" last="Mitchell"], LB, 6’0" 205, (No. 83 Overall/No.10 LB), Marvin Ridge HS</strong>.  Finlay displayed patience and reacted quickly to the play for the stop.  He displayed good technique on tackles made in the open field.  He displayed good lateral movement and speed to cover a lot of ground to close in on the ball carrier for the stop.  Finlay finished the season with 82 total tackles, averaged 8.2 tackles per game, and 1 tackle for a loss.  He is expected to be of the leaders on the defensive unit during the upcoming season.  Finlay’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="286219" first="Steven" last="Muin"], LB, 6’3" 205, (No. 44 Overall/No. 4 LB), Rocky River HS</strong>.  Steven displayed good technique on physical tackles made in the open field.  He sets up quickly and reacts to the play to make the stop.  He displayed good lateral movement and ability to change direction quickly.  Steven is expected to be one of the leaders on the defensive unit during the upcoming season.  Steven’s participation in Summer Prospect Camps will generate recruiting interest for him.