North Carolina July 18 Recruiting Rundown

It's Friday, which means it's time for our recurring recruiting rundown. While we're first and foremost a scouting service, we also want to provide relevant recruiting content when we can.   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. As Power Four teams are finalizing their boards and start to land more players, smaller schools are getting more and more involved on the recruiting trail. Here, we're sharing recruiting news from across the state over the last week.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">July 18 Recruiting Rundown</h2>   After a flurry of early July commitments from some of the state's top players, things are slowly down a bit at the Power Four level.   We have just five uncommitted 2026 prospects left in our top 40 and I'll break them down here.   Perhaps it's unsurprising that the remaining uncommitted top 40 prospects are all guys we're higher on than the recruiting industry. No. 14 overall [player_tooltip player_id='987160' first='Damaad' last='Lewis'] is a massive edge rusher who transferred to Myers Park this offseason after a fantastic year at Ballantyne Ridge. He has some pass-rushing juice, and his recruitment has been interesting to follow. He has plenty of high-major offers, but hasn't taken many visits. He took an official visit to NC State last month before earning an offer from Mississippi State earlier in July.   Independence RB [player_tooltip player_id='1124842' first='Jayden' last='Jones'] is a bit undersized for a running back, but his excellent vision and burst make him one of our favorites in the state. He had some early Group of Five interest, but for some reason that seems to have cooled a bit. He just earned an offer from Lenoir-Rhyne last week and we think he could get some renewed interest with another strong fall.   Grimsley [player_tooltip player_id='1661003' first='Kosci' last='Barnes'] got a late jump on his recruitment, but he seems to be winding down in the process. As is the case with many late-risers, FCS Eastern Kentucky was the first team to jump in last June. He then earned a flurry of Group of Five and FCS offers late in the season and early in the offseason before finally getting his first Power Four offer in April.   Barnes took official visits to Rutgers, Miami (FL), South Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, and Mississippi State and is planning to commit on July 26.   Oak Grove DL [player_tooltip player_id='1537897' first='Ben' last='Boulware'] has been quiet throughout the recruiting process, but has a stout group of favorites. He took official visits to USC, South Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan and could commit soon.   New Hough athlete [player_tooltip player_id='974827' first='LJ' last='Porter'] has had a fascinating recruitment. The former Charlotte Christian star transferred to Hough this offseason and throughout his career, we've had him listed as a safety, running back, linebacker, and even receiver. We think he'll probably play a box safety or linebacker role at the next level and he took officials to East Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Appalachian State last month. However, he earned a few new offers this week. Could that change his plans?   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">New Offers Going Out</h3>   Guys from the RDU and Charlotte areas have had several new offers come in this week.   In Charlotte, new Weddington offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='327284' first='Miles' last='Funderburk'] earned a big offer from Wofford. He's a guy we really like and think could thrive in his new offense.   Central Cabarrus two-way player [player_tooltip player_id='1277000' first='Damonte' last='James'] earned a Wingate offer after camp earlier this week. He's a guy who could play running back or defensive back at the next level.   Elon has been sending out several offers over the last few weeks and reached out with a rare specialist offer to Providence Day K/P Jacob Baggett. Baggett's teammate, fast-rising offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1707785' first='Hudson' last='Clavin'] earned another offer, this one from Case Western.   In the RDU area, multi-sport athlete Deuce Sumpter from CE Jordan earned his first offer from Johnson & Wales. Similarly, Hillside athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1667013' first='Erick' last='Bonner'] earned his first Division 1 offer from Davidson.   Finally, while not an offer, Willow Spring offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1612488' first='Camden' last='Toni'] finished his quick ascension in recruiting, committing to Marist College in upstate New York.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other News And Notes</h3>   It was a busy week in terms of high school transfers, and several playmakers announced their moves to new schools.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Former Willow Spring RB [player_tooltip player_id='1225217' first='Amir' last='Wallace'] made his transfer to Garner Magnet official, as his paperwork cleared and he is now practicing with the Trojans.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Former Mount Pleasant standout [player_tooltip player_id='1332065' first='Ethan' last='Dempsey'] not only transferred to Providence Day, but the former class of 2026 athlete has reclassified to the 2027 class, where he's one of the more intriguing playmakers in the class due to his size and speed.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>One of our favorite 8-man players, RB [player_tooltip player_id='1238396' first='Ben' last='Young III'] has transferred to Sanderson. We're excited to see him on a traditional 11-man team, especially in an offense that likes to run the ball. </li> </ul>   Did I miss something? Let me know on Twitter (@whelms21).

It's Friday, which means it's time for our recurring recruiting rundown. While we're first and foremost a scouting service, we also want to provide relevant recruiting content when we can.