VTO SPORTS Raleigh Durham Top Prospects

Durham, NC- One of the final stops for VTO Sports this spring, leading up to their All-American Challenge, was Durham Memorial Stadium. Athletes from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia gathered to compete for a chance to be selected. Coaches from Johnson C. Smith University were also in attendance at the camp.   1. ATH Iisiah Gilliam c/o 2026 Kings Fork High School    Iisiah Gilliam | ATH | Kings Fork High School (VA)   One of the most dynamic prospects set to attend the Prep Red Zone Combine in North Carolina is Iisiah Gilliam, an athletic standout from Kings Fork High School. Gilliam made a statement at a recent camp and immediately vaulted himself into the spotlight with a performance that showcased elite versatility and playmaking ability.   Gilliam opened the day at running back, where he flashed explosiveness, quick feet, and a natural comfort in space. He was smooth and confident through positional drills and looked like a natural route-runner, creating separation with ease and consistently catching the football like a seasoned receiver. His 1-on-1 reps on offense were electric — a blend of speed, polish, and fluidity.   What truly set Gilliam apart, though, was his ability to flip to the defensive side and shine just as bright. Despite limited reps at defensive back, he locked down some of the top receivers in camp, showing excellent footwork, hip fluidity, and competitive instincts. His ability to mirror and anticipate routes stood out, and it's that two-way capability that makes him such a valuable prospect at the next level.   Gilliam is a true ATH who can impact the game in all three phases. If his defensive flashes continue to develop, don't be surprised to see his recruiting stock soar this offseason.    2. WR Landyn Strong c/o 2028 Blythwood High School    Landyn Strong | RB | Blythewood High School (SC) | Class of 2028   One of the youngest — yet most impressive — prospects at the camp was Landyn Strong, a Class of 2028 running back from Blythewood High School. Despite being just a freshman, Strong put together a performance that turned heads and firmly placed his name among the top backs at the event.   Strong showcased elite speed, clocking in as one of the fastest athletes in attendance, regardless of class. His explosiveness and burst through drills stood out immediately, and he ran with a natural blend of balance, vision, and acceleration that's rare for a player his age.   What separates Strong even more is his ability to impact the passing game. He ran crisp routes out of the backfield and showed soft hands, making him a legitimate dual-threat weapon. His comfort catching the ball and turning upfield adds another layer to his game and raises his long-term projection significantly.   With a strong frame, elite speed, and a complete skill set — all while still developing physically — Landyn Strong is a name to watch closely in the 2028 class. His upside is sky-high, and this camp was just the beginning.    3. DB Chris Ward c/o 2027 Thomas Dale High School    Chris Ward | DB | Thomas Dale High School (VA) | Class of 2027   A name to circle in the Class of 2027 is Chris Ward, a defensive back out of Thomas Dale High School who put together a standout showing at camp. Ward proved he belongs in the upper tier of young defensive backs with a performance that combined athleticism, technique, and confidence.   During 1-on-1 drills, Ward was nearly untouchable — winning every rep and showcasing smooth hips, great anticipation, and the ability to mirror receivers with ease. His footwork and control in space were textbook, and he carried that momentum into individual sessions, where he continued to look polished and locked-in.   What may have been most impressive, however, was Ward's transition to safety during team sessions, where he showed excellent awareness and field vision. He stayed disciplined in zone looks, communicated well, and didn't just hold his own — he made plays.   With his combination of IQ, technique, and range, Chris Ward is primed for a breakout year on the recruiting trail. Don't be surprised if his name gains traction quickly as the 2027 class continues to develop.    4. OL Jhase Wright c/o 2027 Menchville High School    Jhase Wright | OL | Menchville High School (VA) | Class of 2026   Few players imposed their will at camp quite like Jhase Wright, a Class of 2026 offensive lineman from Menchville High School. Wright was an absolute force in the trenches, turning in a dominant showing that solidified him as one of the top offensive linemen in attendance.   Wright's physicality was unmatched throughout the day. He consistently won reps with powerful hands, solid footwork, and elite functional strength, making it nearly impossible for defenders to get around or through him. His presence was felt in every drill, and his performance was a tone-setter for the offensive line group.   What truly stood out was his showing in the strength test — putting up 25 reps of 185 pounds, the most of any athlete at the camp. That number becomes even more impressive considering Wright's long arms, which typically make bench reps more challenging. His size, strength, and power make him a high-upside prospect at the next level.   With his frame, raw strength, and ability to anchor in pass protection, Jhase Wright looks every bit the part of a next-level offensive lineman. Expect his name to start surfacing more in recruiting circles as he heads into a big junior season.    5. RB Jaden Hartsville c/o 2027 Southern Nash High School    Jaden Hartsfield | RB | Southern Nash High School (NC) | Class of 2027   Voted the top running back at the camp, Jaden Hartsfield out of Southern Nash High School made it clear he's one of the rising stars in the Class of 2027. Hartsfield put together a complete performance, turning heads with his blend of size, speed, and elusiveness.   Hartsfield has a sturdy, compact build, but moves with the agility and quickness of a smaller back. He was explosive through drills, showing great acceleration, balance, and smooth lateral movement. His ability to make defenders miss in space was on full display, and he ran with the kind of power that makes him difficult to bring down.   With a run-heavy offense at Southern Nash, Hartsfield will have plenty of opportunities to shine this fall. And if this camp was any indication, he's ready to make the most of them. With a strong physical profile and an advanced skill set for his age, Jaden Hartsfield has all the traits to become a big-time back in the coming years.    6. WR [player_tooltip player_id='1678619' first='Dominik' last='Danzy'] c/o 2027 West Stanly High School    [player_tooltip player_id='1678619' first='Dominik' last='Danzy'] | WR | West Stanly High School (NC) | Class of 2027   [player_tooltip player_id='1678619' first='Dominik' last='Danzy'] emerged as one of the top wide receivers at the combine, earning recognition for his elite skill set and strong all-around performance. Representing West Stanly High School, Danzy is quickly becoming the go-to weapon in the program's revamped offense — and it's easy to see why.   Danzy brings a rare combination of speed and precision to the receiver position. His route-running was among the best at the event, consistently creating separation with crisp breaks and smooth footwork. What sets him apart even further is his ability to make contested catches look routine. He tracks the ball well in the air, has reliable hands, and uses his explosive vertical leap to win jump balls against bigger defenders.   As the focal point of a new-look West Stanly offense, Danzy is primed for a breakout season. With his speed, technical polish, and playmaking ability, he has all the tools to be a top prospect in the Class of 2027 — and he's just getting started.    7. LB [player_tooltip player_id='1692741' first='Jackson' last='Laws'] c/o 2027 Cannon School    ackson Laws | LB | Cannon School (NC) | Class of 2027   [player_tooltip player_id='1692741' first='Jackson' last='Laws'] stood out as the top linebacker at the combine, delivering a performance that solidified his status as one of the top defensive prospects in the Class of 2027. Representing Cannon School, Laws put together a complete showing — combining strong measurables, standout testing numbers, and an on-field presence that demands attention.   Laws impressed early with a strong 40-yard dash and an excellent shuttle time, proving he has the speed and lateral quickness to cover ground sideline to sideline. Physically, he already has the size, frame, and build that college coaches look for in a next-level linebacker. He moved fluidly through drills, read plays well during reps, and consistently demonstrated the instincts and closing speed that separate elite linebackers from the rest.   What makes Laws even more intriguing is that he's only a sophomore. With two seasons still ahead of him, he has the physical tools and developmental upside to attract high-level recruiting interest. If his trajectory continues, don't be surprised if a Power 4 offer comes his way before the 2025 season kicks off.   [player_tooltip player_id='1692741' first='Jackson' last='Laws'] checks all the boxes — size, speed, instincts, and production — and he's quickly becoming a name to know in the 2027 recruiting class.    8. WR Darius Chukwuemeka c/o 2026 Ben L Smith High School    Darius Chukwuemek | WR | Ben L. Smith High School (NC) | Class of 2026   Darius Chukwuemek turned heads at the combine, earning recognition as one of the top wide receivers in attendance. Representing Ben L. Smith High School, Chukwuemek proved that size is no limitation when it comes to playmaking — showcasing speed, versatility, and a high football IQ.   Though he may have a smaller frame, Chukwuemek plays with a big-time presence. He has the speed to stretch the field vertically, keeping defenses honest with his ability to take the top off in an instant. At the same time, he's crafty and precise as a route-runner, consistently finding soft spots in zone coverage and creating separation with subtle moves and sharp breaks.   What makes Chukwuemek even more dangerous is his versatility. His skill set suggests he could be used in a variety of ways — including jet sweeps or quick handoffs — adding an extra layer of unpredictability to his team's offense. With his senior season approaching, expect Darius Chukwuemek to be an all-around threat who can impact the game in multiple phases.    9. DL Josiah McGill c/o 2026 Fort Mill High School    Josiah McGill | DL | Fort Mill South (SC) | Class of 2026   Josiah McGill was recognized as one of the top defensive linemen at the combine, and his performance left little doubt as to why. A true hybrid athlete, McGill brings rare versatility to the defensive front — with the ability to line up both inside and outside, depending on matchup and scheme.   McGill has the speed and burst to threaten the edge as a defensive end, but also possesses the strength and leverage to hold his ground on the interior. His frame and flexibility make him a matchup nightmare, and he consistently disrupted plays during drills and 1-on-1 reps. He showed excellent hand placement on contact, delivering quick, forceful punches, and followed it up with a strong arsenal of counter moves that kept offensive linemen off balance throughout the day.   His performance in 1-on-1s was particularly impressive — winning the majority of his reps with a combination of technique, motor, and physicality. With his size-speed blend and positional versatility, Josiah McGill is a high-upside defensive lineman to watch in the Class of 2026, and a serious problem for any offensive line he faces.    10. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1656741' first='Ethan' last='Presley'] c/o 2026 Hunter Huss High School    [player_tooltip player_id='1656741' first='Ethan' last='Presley'] | QB | Class of 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1656741' first='Ethan' last='Presley'] delivered a strong performance at the combine, one that earned him an invite to the All-American Camp this June — a testament to both his physical tools and on-field presence. At 6'3" and close to 200 pounds, Presley has the prototypical quarterback build that immediately catches the eye.   He showed poise throughout the day, taking coaching well and demonstrating a clear command of mechanics and footwork. While quarterback evaluations at camps can be difficult — especially with timing and chemistry often dependent on unfamiliar receivers — Presley still stood out, making accurate throws across a variety of routes and showcasing solid arm strength.   Presley has the frame, coachability, and natural ability that college programs look for in a signal-caller. As he continues to develop and refine his game, he's a Class of 2026 quarterback to keep a close eye on heading into the fall.

Durham, NC- One of the final stops for VTO Sports this spring, leading up to their All-American Challenge, was Durham Memorial Stadium. Athletes from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia gathered to compete for a chance to be selected. Coaches from Johnson C. Smith University were also in attendance at the camp.