Updated 2026 Rankings - New Additions

The review of game films, game coverages, and discussions with coaches concerning 45 talented young players who have completed their first year of varsity football is complete. I am doing a review of 10 players whose field performances were impressive enough to add them to the player rankings. This is the first player evaluation for the majority of the players in this class.   [player_tooltip player_id='473838' first='Kamerin' last='McDowell-Moore'] - ATH, 5'11" 175 (No. 2 ATH, No. 26 Overall), Tarboro HS. Kamerin finished the season with 145 carries for 1,393 yards and 21 TDs. He averaged 107.2 yards per game and 9.6 yards per carry. He followed his blockers while looking for an opening to accelerate past defenders for yardage. He plays on both sides of the ball for his team. Kamerin had 21 total tackles, 1 which was for a loss. He had 14 solo tackles for the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='612108' first='Landon' last='Gilmore'] - ATH, 5'4" 120 (No. 6 ATH, No. 34 Overall), North Mecklenburg HS. Landon ran good pass routes and separation from defenders to make catches. He displayed speed to accelerate past defenders in the open field to gain yardage. Landon will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='602480' first='Sterling' last='Edwards'] - NG, 6'1" 240 (No. 6 DL, No. 35 Overall), Hillside HS. Sterling displayed a quick first-step out of his stance to move past blockers to make stops. He displayed good technique and use of hands to control blockers. His quickness and upper body strength makes it tough to contain him one-on-one. Sterling will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='321266' first='Noah' last='Clark'] - NG, 6'1" 265 (No. 2 DL, No. 15 Overall), CE Jordan HS. Noah accepted the challenge and made an immediate impact during his freshman season. He finished the season with 63 total tackles, 12 which were for losses. He finished the season with 35 solo tackles. Noah displayed quickness and good use of hands to control blockers as he moved past them for stops. He displayed good technique and footwork while playing with aggression. He was one of the leaders on the defensive line. He was named to the All-Conference Team as a freshman. Noah has a bright upside and will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='618281' first='Khalil' last='Palmer'] - WR, 5'11" 185 (No. 4 WR, No. 6 Overall), Millbrook HS. Khalil ran good pass routes and separation from defenders to make catches. He displayed the ability to use his body to shield defenders to make catches in traffic. Khalil will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='612252' first='Christopher' last='Bispham'] - DL, 6'2" 235 (No. 3 DL, No. 16 Overall), Havelock HS. Christopher displayed good technique and use of hands to control blockers while moving past them for stops. He finished the season with 41 total tackles, 13 which were for losses. He finished the season with 30 solo tackles. He has a bright upside and will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='308523' first='Kamdon' last='Gillespie'] - LB, 6'1" 225 (No. 3 LB, No. 17 Overall), Hough HS. Kamdon displayed good lateral movement and speed to cover a lot of ground quickly to close in on the ball carrier for stops. He finished the season with 26 total tackles, 4 which were for losses. He finished the season with 12 solo tackles. Kamdon will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='473849' first='Jysen' last='Shepherd'] - QB, 5'10" 160 (No. 4 QB, No. 27 Overall), Riverside-Martin HS. Jysen displayed calmness and leadership in the pocket as he directed the offensive unit throughout the season. He completed 178 passes for 2,818 yards and 34 TDs. He averaged 216.8 yards per game and 15.8 yards per throw. Jysen completed 64.5 percent of his passes along with 7 interceptions. He finished the season with a QB rating of 127.4.   [player_tooltip player_id='473833' first='Brilison' last='McCullers'] - RB, 5'10" 180 (No. 2 RB, No. 24 Overall), Sanderson HS. Brilison finished the season as the team's leading rusher. He finished the season with 169 carries for 980 yards and 9 TDs. He averaged 89.1 yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry. Brilison had 20 receptions for 145 yards and 2 TDs. He finished the season with 1,125 All-Purpose yards and 11 TDs. Brilison has a bright upside and will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='532016' first='Izeiah' last='Oates'] - QB, 6'0" 185 (No. 6 QB, Watchlist), Eastern Wayne HS. Izeiah displayed calmness and leadership in the pocket as he directed the offensive unit throughout the season. He completed 94 passes for 1,760 yards and 17 TDs. He averaged 160 yards per game and 18.7 yards per throw. Izeiah completed 48.5 percent of his passes along with 10 interceptions. He finished the season with a QB rating of 88. Izeiah will continue to improve his skillset as he gains valuable playing experience.

The review of game films, game coverages, and discussions with coaches concerning 45 talented young players who have completed their first year of varsity football is complete. I am doing a review of 10 players whose field performances were impressive enough to add them to the player rankings. This is the first player evaluation for the majority of the players in this class.