Deep Dive: Mecklenburg County Safeties

Charlotte Football Insiders is taking a look at ranking the top Charlotte Metro Area players by position, and we're taking a look at those players in those rankings in a Deep Dive analysis series. In these articles, we will share why these players are ranked and their best attributes as potential college-level football players in their respective futures. This will feature Mecklenburg County Safeties - the city of Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County.     <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/21.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1646476" /></figure>    Nick just has some incredible instincts at the safety position overall. As a run defender, he is fearless in filling the alley from depth and tackles extremely well in space. As a pass defender, I've seen him live have some incredible reaction time in breaking on the ball in his assigned areas - flat-out picking it off or displaying the ability to leap off either foot and force pass break-ups. From a recruiting perspective, Nick has become a national recruit and he has had a ton of offers from Power 4 college football programs. Nick announced a Top 10 back in late December and is going through the visit process. We are excited to see where he ends up deciding to play on the next level!     I came away impressed watching Nicholas do work on film. I have him as a safety, but some people have him evaluated as an athlete, as he does some good things on offense as well. I think his future is on defense though, and that's mainly because as a safety Nicholas plays with some impressive force and fortitude on a consistent basis. There are several instances where Nicholas makes an impressive open-field tackle on a ball carrier, but then the power behind his tackles is on the level of a linebacker. Nicholas also does well in pass coverage, showing good range in space and the ability to come down and cover in man-to-man coverage looks. Nicholas has several Division 1 offers and should honestly have more in my opinion.     Josh has been one of my favorite defensive backs to watch on film for the last couple of years in the Charlotte Metro Area. He is a very smooth player who really excels in space. In zone coverage, Josh has some impressive range and gets off the hash very well. Josh is also a talented basketball player, and that agility shows when he comes down and covers receivers in man coverage. Josh is also a good tackler in space, taking smart angles and showing the speed to run plays down that go away from him as well. He is another player with multiple Division 1 offers to play college football and should flourish on the next level with his skill set.     Providence Day has some very special talent in their defensive backfield, led by this young man. First off, his physical stature can get you excited, because you see how good he can ultimately become. Looking at his film, it's hard to believe he is a 2027 player. His football IQ and instincts are at a high level. Tre can play on the edge of the box as an outside linebacker type, or he can slide back to play a 2 deep coverage safety role, his versatility is really impressive. Tre also has some excellent speed and is not afraid to come up in run support as well. Tre has several Division 1 college football offers and could become an even bigger national recruit before his high school career is over.     Brennan was a highly productive player for the Chargers last season, totaling nearly 100 tackles on the campaign. Obviously, one of his strengths is coming up on the edge, preventing ball carriers from getting outside and tackling well in space. Brennan also shows a good ability to blitz from depth when walked up in the second level of the defense. Finally, I am impressed with Brennan's ability to come down and cover slot receivers in man coverage looks, he could easily play a slot corner look at the next level with the ability shown in his highlight film. He is another player with several Division 1 offers currently.    Honorable Mentions   [player_tooltip player_id='1608315' first='Moses' last='Poku-Kankam'] - Providence Day - Moses continues the run of incredible safety talent in the Charlotte Metro Area and at Providence Day. In any other normal type of year, Moses would be an easy Top 5 selection, but this is just a reflection of the incredible talent in Charlotte. Moses has great size and matches that with some excellent speed. Moses shows the ability to play man coverage on the outside on his film, but he also excels as a box player who can both blitz and come up in run support and tackle well. I think he's a player that could end up being the best of this group on the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='740869' first='Soto' last='Kelly'] - Providence - Soto took a big step last season in the Panthers defense, becoming a highly productive safety who excels at coming downhill and delivering some bad intentions in run support. His physicality helped set a tone for the Panthers in some games last year. Soto also showed some good coverage ability, getting in on some pass breakups and making a couple of interceptions in key situations.   Elijah Sellers - Independence - Elijah has been on my radar for the last couple of years, and he has a big senior season ahead of him. Elijah has a lot of college interest around him, and he excels with excellent speed in space, and can come down and be a good supporter in the run game. That same speed will be an asset for him in pass coverage this upcoming season as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604320' first='Mac' last='Summerville'] - Country Day - Mac was among the state leaders in interceptions last season, and I had a chance to see him live last year. Mac has some impressive instincts to find the football when it is in the air. He can excel in both man coverage against slot receivers and in some zone coverage looks as well. He will be a major piece of the Buccaneers defense next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1671910' first='Henry' last='Hulbert'] - Charlotte Christian - Henry has college interest from multiple schools and recently picked up an offer from Army. Henry can also contribute some on offense, but safety is where he does his best work. Henry shows some electric speed in getting to the football in run support and making breaks on the ball in the passing game. For a Charlotte Christian team always in the mix, Henry will be an important player this upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1751616' first='Elijah' last='Bachiller'] - Palisades - At 6'1, Elijah has some nice size for the free safety position. I think Elijah shows some impressive speed and range in pass coverage on film, and there are several instances of him using those instincts to make pass breakups and interceptions in the secondary. Elijah also shows some toughness and willingness to come up in run support and tackle in space.   [player_tooltip player_id='1610634' first='Kenyan' last='White'] - Olympic - I saw Kenyan twice last season, and on both occasions I couldn't believe he was a sophomore. Kenyan is always around the football, and he is a physical tackler in space. Kenyan picked up his first offer from East Carolina earlier this offseason, and I think he's a little under the radar right now. This is a big junior season for him, and I think he has a chance to make a big step as a player and from a recruiting perspective.

Charlotte Football Insiders is taking a look at ranking the top Charlotte Metro Area players by position, and we're taking a look at those players in those rankings in a Deep Dive analysis series. In these articles, we will share why these players are ranked and their best attributes as potential college-level football players in their respective futures. This will feature Mecklenburg County Safeties - the city of Charlotte is in Mecklenburg County.