The Prospect Picture – 2026 Class – January
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We have been ON FIRE in North Carolina and more specifically the Charlotte Metro Area with players receiving offers like crazy! We will profile a few of the 2026 class here in the latest Prospect Picture – 2026 Class Edition.…
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Continue ReadingWe have been ON FIRE in North Carolina and more specifically the Charlotte Metro Area with players receiving offers like crazy! We will profile a few of the 2026 class here in the latest Prospect Picture – 2026 Class Edition.
Samari Matthews Samari Matthews 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Hough | 2026 State NC – DB – Hough
Offers – Colorado, Charlotte, NC State, UNC, Penn State, South Carolina, Liberty, Wisconsin
Analysis – Why is a freshman getting offers from just about every Power 5 school in the nation? Well, it starts with the fact that he started for a state title-contending team as a freshman, and plays the game beyond his years. He simply just isn’t scared and showed that consistently from the start of the season in a showcase game against perennial South Carolina state power Dutch Fork. The old adage that coaches have is to go after and test a freshman Varsity player, and Samari passed every test with flying colors. He stands at 6’1 and 180 pounds already and has excellent speed and technique in both man and zone coverages. Great recognition and closing speed in reacting to passes thrown his way is another standout ability for this young man. And finally, he will lay the wood to his receiver in the opening field displaying great tackling technique. A future 5-star recruit in the making. Also runs track!
Faizon Brandon Faizon Brandon 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Grimsley | 2026 State NC – QB – Grimsley
Offers – East Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech, Louisville
Analysis – Standing at 6’4 and 185 pounds, Brandon definitely is getting a lot of attention based on his size profile and performance at a national combine earlier this month. He also put some nice things on film this past season with a team that made the State Championship Game and won the Western Regional Championship. His film shows ability beyond his years – excellent footwork and mechanics from the pocket in the dropback from gun passing game. I like how he doesn’t panic when he has time to set his feet and put the ball where it needs to be, that is very hard for freshmen to do on a Varsity level. He shows electric ability in the Zone Read game as well, which would put him squarely in the dual-threat category, but he throws the ball much better than just a run-first QB you typically get that designation on. He is going to do some big things. Also a force on the basketball court!
Kendre Harrison – TE – Reidsville
Offers – Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama, Colorado, East Carolina, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech, Oregon, Penn State, Old Dominion, Louisville, Wake Forest
Analysis – When you have a 6’7 230 pound freshman Tight End who is a dominant force on the basketball court already, you know you have someone very special. Even though he didn’t put up a ton of crazy stats this season – 17 catches and 5 touchdowns, he also had 7.5 sacks as a Defensive End, so his future could be on either side of the ball for sure. You don’t get all these offers and attention for nothing though, and when you turn on the tape, it’s very obvious why this young man is so coveted. First off, he is already able to run away from linebackers and safeties in man coverage in the passing game. He displays soft hands and doesn’t catch with the body, and is able to turn and get up field after the catch for good yardage. He can flex and play the outside receiver position well with his dominant size. And he is a nasty in-line blocker, especially climbing to the 2nd level and getting knockdown blocks on linebackers. When you have that kind of package as a freshman, the mailbox will be full of mail for the next three years!
Ekene Ogboko Ekene Ogboko 6'6" | 290 lbs | OL South Garner | 2026 State NC – OL – Riverside
Offers – East Carolina, Coastal Carolina
Analysis – Impressive size for this young man at 6’6 and 270 pounds, that’s the first thing that gets your attention when you turn on the tape here. When he gets his hands on a defender in the run game, it’s lights out already. Something you love to see at this young age – he finishes blocks well and plays with that echo-to-the-whistle mentality. He form fits his hands well on defenders in the run game as well. I think he does a good job in pass protection also – he faced a lot of defenders trying to bull-rush him on film, so as he continues to grow he will see defenders try to speed rush him more at the tackle spot. It looks like he has good feet, but that will be the next step in his progression. He states he has a 3.9 GPA – off to a great start!
Other 2026 Players To Keep an Eye on:
Miles Funderburk Miles Funderburk 6'1" | 280 lbs | OL Providence Day | 2026 State NC – OL – Providence Day – 6’1 and 280 pounds, has picked up an offer from Charlotte. Has other Division 1 interest already. Strong and stout at the point of attack.
Thomas Davis Jr – ATH – Weddington – Yes, he is the son of THAT Thomas Davis, former Carolina Panthers linebacker. At 6’2 and 190 pounds, he has offers from Campbell and Charlotte already. He plays both sides of the ball right now – linebacker and will play some running back and TE/H-Back as well.
Dallas Brannon – TE/DE – Independence – 6’1 and 190 pounds, he picked up an offer from Charlotte. I have heard a lot about this young man, and his film oozes with potential as he played multiple positions this past season. Really looks good on defense with good speed coming off the edge.
Jordan Cleaves Jordan Cleaves 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Cox Mill | 2026 State NC – ATH – Cox Mill – Played varsity at the safety position this past season and flashed well on defense with some big plays. He also made some nice plays running the ball on offense – he’s a playmaker on both sides of the ball with the ball in his hands. Someone you will see on many highlights the next few years!
Kamdon “KJ” Gillespie – DL – Hough – At 6’2 and 230 pounds, he made some game-changing plays already. Love how he gets off the ball quickly and plays well with his hands. Picked up an early offer from Charlotte, he will be one to definitely keep an eye out for.
Elijah Sellers – DB – North Meck – At 5’9 and 160 pounds, he doesn’t shy away from contact at the safety position. He comes up and fills the alley well, making good open field tackles and forcing turnovers. Picked up an early offer from Charlotte.