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<p>As we've been in the midst of rankings updates, we haven't done much on the recruiting side of things. While we're first and foremost a scouting service, we also want to provide relevant recruiting content when we can.</p>
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<p>While we never spoil an athlete's commitment, we do pick up nuggets here and there. In the early summer, there's been a flurry of commitments and offers from across the state. There's a ton of movement happening behind the scenes and the next month should be *quite* busy. Here, I'm sharing some notable recruiting news from across the state.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">June 27 Recruiting Rundown</h2>
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<p>Early summer is a time of evaluations, offers, and ultimately commitments (and some decommitments). A few high-profile athletes are approaching commitment dates and seeing out the end of their recruitments. Here, I'll break some of those announcements, offers, and schedules down.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">QB Dominoes Starting To Fall</h3>
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<p>Summer is key in the evaluation process for FCS and Division II/III schools. Often, they have to wait until later in the process due to limited resources and a desire to not get tied up with FBS schools, especially at the QB position. But, now that it's almost July, we're seeing offers go out and quarterbacks committing to smaller schools.</p>
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<p>We have an early favorite for "best fit" in the 2026 quarterback class. When talking about West Cartaret's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='870217' first='Tanner' last='Payne']</strong> with some of our Prep Redzone Clayton Showcase coaches, I'd mentioned how Elon would be the perfect fit for the then-unoffered quarterback. Payne crafted a great summer visit schedule and started to get some FCS offers. Elon's offense is perfectly set up for his run-n-gun style and I still have a Group of Five grade on Payne, so don't be surprised if he comes in and competes early in 2026.</p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600193' first='Logan' last='Misocky']</strong> has the physical tools to be elite and he's transferring to Charlotte Catholic this fall. He's had a good summer, earning his first offer from Denison College on Thursday. </p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NC State Making In-State Moves</h3>
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<p>The NC State Wolfpack got off to a slow start in the state of North Carolina with the 2026 cycle, but things have picked up this summer. While the Wolfpack have had two-sport commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201581' first='Jacob' last='Smith']</strong> in the fold for nearly a year, they hadn't landed another Tar Heel State player until late in June.</p>
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<p>Then they landed a strong receiver duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1070820' first='Jaire' last='Richburg']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368098' first='Tyreek' last='Copper']</strong> at a position the Wolfpack have historically had success with inside the state. Copper was a great evaluation on their part as he's been underrecruited then entire cycle. Richburg, on the other hand, had plenty of ACC options and the Wolfpack were able to fend off some other strong teams. Both guys have size, speed, and route-running and could see early playing time.</p>
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<p>The Wolfpack are finding success unearthing hidden gems from underrecruited parts of the state. Like Copper, Cape Fear's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675598' first='Tai' last='Phillips']</strong>, a 2027 running back, has the athleticism and production, but hasn't hit the radar of most big schools. That changed when the Wolfpack stepped in with an offer last week.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top Playmakers Setting Up Announcements</h3>
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<p>Three of the top seven uncommitted prospects in the state (and three of the four best interior defensive linemen) are announcing commitments this week. Clayton's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165755' first='Keshawn' last='Stancil']</strong> goes first, with Miami, NC State, Clemson, Penn State, and Georgia as the final five. He'll announce on Saturday, June 28.</p>
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<p>Then, West Forsyth IDL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='953021' first='PJ' last='Dean']</strong> goes next, with Georgia and South Carolina the perceived neck-and-neck favorites for a June 30 commitment. It's worth noting that South Carolina was the first school to recruit him as a defender, something that has helped the Gamecocks, but there are family ties to Georgia.</p>
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<p>Jordan's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321266' first='Noah' last='Clark']</strong> announces on July 2 between South Carolina, Virginia, NC State, and Virginia Tech. NC State and South Carolina have been mainstays in his top group since each offered him as a sophomore. </p>
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<p>While he doesn't have a planned announcement, it's worth throwing Independence safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402298' first='Nick' last='Reddish']</strong> in this group. He's taken a bunch of visits, many of them to South Bend, and my Notre Dame contacts think the Irish have a ton of momentum. Could he be the fourth North Carolina product to pledge to the Irish in this class?</p>
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<p>Our top uncommitted prospect, Hough's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284097' first='Samari' last='Matthews']</strong> moved up his August 11 commitment date to July 11 after another visit to South Carolina. Expert opinions are truly split on whether he'll announce for the Gamecocks or Texas Longhorns and in a time of information inundation, I'm truly interested to see where he goes, because I have no clue.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">More Offers Roll In & Other Miscellaneous News and Notes</h3>
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<p>Here's a list of some new offers and other news and notes:</p>
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<li>Christ School IDL (and high-academic candidate) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1662149' first='Exzavier' last='Burns']</strong> earned his <strong>first</strong> Division 1 offer from Norfolk State.</li>
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<li>Rolesville athlete/tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663808' first='Malachi' last='Harris']</strong> earned his first offer from Old Dominion and then committed a few days later on June 26.</li>
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<li>Charlotte Catholic edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368127' first='Dominic' last='Basrawala']</strong> committed to Army.</li>
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<li>Palisades defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368435' first='Kyle' last='Bynes']</strong> committed to James Madison.</li>
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<li>Delaware State picked up commitments from not one, but two Weddington receivers as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321106' first='Kelson' last='Tate']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704986' first='Jonathan' last='Manley']</strong> both pledged to the Hornets.</li>
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<li>Former Corvian Community offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1151608' first='Christopher' last='Peavy Jr'].</strong> transferred to Providence Day and reclassified to the 2027 class.</li>
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<li>Former Providence Day offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327284' first='Miles' last='Funderburk']</strong> transferred to Weddington.</li>
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<li>Reagan offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698756' first='Eisa' last='Evans']</strong> flipped his commitment from Charlotte to Appalachian State.</li>
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<p><em>Want to make sure we include you in our updates? Reach out on Twitter (@whelms21) to make sure we hear all the news and notes from across the state. Want to send this article to someone who isn't a subscriber? Offer code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle.</em></p>
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As we've been in the midst of rankings updates, we haven't done much on the recruiting side of things. While we're first and foremost a scouting service, we also want to provide relevant recruiting content when we can.
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