Carolina Sharks Practice 2 Top Performers

Fayetteville, N.C. – The Carolina Sharks' second practice of the year saw a significant increase in attendance, likely due to the holiday basketball season. With all four quarterbacks ranking within the top 10, the 1-on-1 sessions were pivotal in showcasing their skills, with a few players rising into the top 5. The competition within the group is pushing athletes to demonstrate their leadership and character. With little to no separation between the players, the team is starting to show promising signs of dominance moving forward.   CR MVP: ATH Zamaurius Robertson - Dillon High School    Zamaurious was one of, if not the most, talented prospects I scouted during the 2024 season, so expectations were high when he showed up to practice. It didn't take long for the junior to prove why he's considered one of the top prospects in South Carolina. He scored at will during the 1-on-1s and also showcased his defensive skills, snagging an interception when he played DB. Beyond his impressive athletic abilities, Robertson displayed high football IQ and awareness during the team session. His performance earned him an offer from Appalachian State just days later, a well-deserved recognition of his talent.    2: WR [player_tooltip player_id='1394644' first='William' last='Moore'] - South View    Will was truly unguardable during the 1-on-1s, dominating everyone who was tasked with covering him. It didn't matter who lined up across from him—Moore found a way to make plays. He displayed exceptionally strong hands, catching everything in traffic, and his route running continues to be elite. Tying for the win during the 1-on-1s, he was also a go-to player during the team portion. Already an elite talent, Moore has found a way to improve from his already strong performance in practice 1, showcasing his continual growth and ability to elevate his game.    3: QB Zach Evans -Westover    Zach came into practice sharp and ready, winning the 1-on-1 portion, which truly set him apart from the other three quarterbacks. The recent Methodist University commit was stellar during the team portion as well, leading all but one drive to a score, demonstrating full command of the offense. Evans has had a standout start to his senior offseason, earning QB MVP honors at the PrepRedZone Carolina Showcase last month and recently committing to Methodist University. His strong performances continue to solidify his status as one of the top quarterbacks in the region.    4: QB Khayel Sam-Fong-Talia – Dillon Middle School    Khayel delivered another dominant performance, finishing 2nd in the 1-on-1 sessions and scoring on every drive he led during the team session—except one. The only missed score came in the red zone, but it wasn't due to a misread by Khayel. Instead, Talia tried a "no-look" Patrick Mahomes-style pass that the receiver wasn't quite prepared for. As the 8th-grade phenom continues to grow more comfortable with his teammates—and vice versa—watch out, because this young talent is only getting started. His chemistry with the team is bound to take his game to even greater heights.    5: DB Tyquise Wilson - James Kenan    Tyquise has been competing at a high level, even while in the middle of his basketball season. The James Kenan star has made significant strides from week to week, showing noticeable improvement. Wilson has been particularly impressive in both man-to-man press coverage and off-man coverage, displaying elite route recognition and the ability to anticipate plays. His coachability stands out as well, with a strong grasp of the fundamentals and excellent compression skills. Tyquise is stacking solid performances, and his development continues to impress.    6: LB [player_tooltip player_id='1193722' first='Darius' last='Huggins'] - Carolina Forest    Huggins had an impressive debut last week during practice. The nearly 200-pound hybrid linebacker showed remarkable speed and versatility, able to cover wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends with ease. Darius was one of the standout players during the 1-on-1 session, showcasing his coverage skills, and continued to shine as the leader on the interior during the team session. His ability to take charge and make plays in multiple areas of the defense makes him a key asset to the team.    7. QB [player_tooltip player_id='870217' first='Tanner' last='Payne'] - West Carteret    Tanner had another outstanding performance, earning his "Sunshine" nickname with his impressive play. Despite the wintery mix, Payne's passes were sharp and cutting through the elements, hitting all of his targets with precision. While he didn't need much improvement, he certainly made a statement during the team session, working through his progressions and consistently taking what the defense gave him. His ability to stay composed and execute under pressure continues to be a major asset for the team.    8. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1453983' first='Geronimo' last='Sanchez'] - Cape Fear    Geronimo has certainly lived up to the hype during the first two practices. The talented quarterback from "across the river" has showcased his big arm and impressive skills, working through his progressions with ease and delivering his underneath passes on time. While Sanchez is known for his love of the deep pass, it's his intermediate throws that have really stood out, as they've been remarkably accurate. The junior quarterback, like the other three QBs, only had one drive without scoring, further highlighting his consistency and high-level play.    9. TE [player_tooltip player_id='1576586' first='River' last='Thayne'] - Carolina Forest    River is currently ranked as the #5 tight end prospect in South Carolina for the class of 2026, and it's likely his stock will rise significantly in the coming months. At Carolina Forest, he's primarily utilized for his blocking ability on run plays, but where he really stands out is as a pass-catching threat. Thayne has a natural ability to read defenses, often finding the soft spots in the zone and settling into the open area to make the catch. His versatility and football IQ make him a dangerous weapon in the passing game.    10. DB Isaiah Pope - Douglas Byrd    Pope has been a standout surprise for the Sharks this season. He really impressed during the 1-on-1 session, showcasing excellent man-to-man coverage skills. His versatility was also on display during the team session, where he excelled as a high safety, taking away deep passes, and demonstrated comfort and ability when playing closer to the line in the box. Pope's performance has certainly been a key highlight for the team.

Fayetteville, N.C. – The Carolina Sharks' second practice of the year saw a significant increase in attendance, likely due to the holiday basketball season. With all four quarterbacks ranking within the top 10, the 1-on-1 sessions were pivotal in showcasing their skills, with a few players rising into the top 5. The competition within the group is pushing athletes to demonstrate their leadership and character. With little to no separation between the players, the team is starting to show promising signs of dominance moving forward.