2028 Prospect Watch: Charlotte Area DL To Watch

We're well into the offseason, and we're keeping things going ahead of spring workouts and summer practices. In a new series that will run concurrently with some of our other cornerstone content, like my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/community-film-room-episode-4-2/">community film room series</a> or Matt Morrow's <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/deep-dive-union-county-wide-receivers/">county-by-county Deep Dives</a>, we're looking at what some of our 2028 players (both ranked and unranked) did as freshmen. Last week, I looked at some receivers and offensive linemen. Here, I'm moving to the defensive side of the ball to scout a large group of interior defensive linemen from Charlotte.    Learn his name, as Cunningham is the next elite 2028 prospect from North Carolina, a guy who already has offers from just about every top program in the country. His explosiveness is rare and he has the frame to carry more weight. He's plenty athletic to play on the edge, but he's ranked on the interior for us because his combination of size and explosive first step are too much to pass up there. Make no mistake though, he's going to rush the passer from a variety of alignments in college.     Hopkins knows how to use leverage to his advantage and stonewalls bigger offensive linemen with impressive frequency. Hopkins has a quick first step, but what really stands out on film is his eye discipline. He's able to guide offensive linemen where he needs to be to make plays in the running game and he always has his head up looking for the ball.     Heard is just a freshman and yet he's the biggest guy on the field. yet, his frame looks like it could hold another 10 pounds of muscle and he's just starting to develop in the weight room. He looks the part of a two-capping defensive tackle with untapped pass-rushing upside, something that should excite the Mallard Creek and college coaches.     Garinger struggled in 2024, but Whitmire looks like he has a bright future ahead of him. He doesn't have a ton of film, but he's proven to be a solid tackler and a nuisance in the backfield. He's a strong kid who looks like he's only going to get bigger and stronger as his career progresses.     A strong, hulking nose tackle, Price actually moves really well for his size. He didn't get much varsity playing time this season, but looks like a guy who could contribute in some capacity as a sophomore. Price has a quick first step and knows how to get to the body of opposing linemen. He's a guy we're excited to scout more closely.     Despite his size, Cuff actually played quite a bit on the interior of the defensive line for Mallard Creek last season. He excels at shooting gaps and has strong hands to keep offensive linemen at bay. He's likely primed for a rise in the rankings and is a guy we're intrigued by. Can he stay inside? Or will he eventually move to the edge full-time?    Want to make sure you're on our radar or raise your stock? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1488/register/combine-series-north-carolina">2025 Spring Combine</a> at Clayton High School on May 4. Use offer code ‘HelmsCombine25' to get $10 off your registration. Prep Redzone and college scouts will be in attendance to evaluate prospects as they go through combine drills, position work, and 1-on-1s.

We're well into the offseason, and we're keeping things going ahead of spring workouts and summer practices. In a new series that will run concurrently with some of our other cornerstone content, like my community film room series or Matt Morrow's county-by-county Deep Dives, we're looking at what some of our 2028 players (both ranked and unranked) did as freshmen. Last week, I looked at some receivers and offensive linemen. Here, I'm moving to the defensive side of the ball to scout a large group of interior defensive linemen from Charlotte.