Prep Redzone 3A Preseason All-State Team

Photo: Prep Redzone

Will Helms August 8, 2025 @ 07:14 AM

3A All-State Team: Offense

QB: Lan Farmer Lan Farmer 6'3" | 225 lbs | QB Shelby | 2026 State NC , Shelby

RB: Taeshon Martin Taeshon Martin 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB/DB Mount Airy | 2026 State NC , Mount Airy

RB: Brandon Pinkerton Brandon Pinkerton 6'0" | 160 lbs | RB East Rutherford | 2026 State NC , East Rutherford

WR: Tyreek Copper Tyreek Copper 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Kinston | 2026 State NC , Kinston

WR: Immanuel Collins Immanuel Collins 5'5" | 140 lbs | WR Shelby | 2027 State NC , Shelby

WR: Brennan Chambers Brennan Chambers 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR/ATH Kinston | 2026 State NC , Kinston

TE: Cason Jones Cason Jones 6'2" | 205 lbs | TE Mountain Heritage | 2026 State NC , Mountain Heritage

OL: Tee Hollifield Tee Hollifield 6'5" | 240 lbs | OL Shelby | 2028 State NC , Shelby

OL: Alton Freeman Alton Freeman 6'1" | 310 lbs | OL/DL East Rutherford | 2026 State NC , East Rutherford

OL: Braxton Batchelor, Mountain Heritage

OL: Chase Felton, Farmville Central

OL: William Doe, Ayden-Grifton

All-Purpose: Teo McPhatter Teo McPhatter 5'10" | 140 lbs | RB Princeton | 2028 State NC , Princeton

Flex: RJ Lynch RJ Lynch 5'6" | 150 lbs | WR/DB Lincolnton | 2028 State NC , Lincolnton

Analysis: The 3A level is inundated with elite running back and athlete talent, with multiple impressive backs having to be left off the list. I tried to make at least a few honorable mentions, but the skill position talent at this level is incredible.

Shelby leads the way with with three offensive players, while Kinston’s dynamic receiving duo and two each from East Rutherford and Mountain Heritage land on the first team. The offensive line group could look a lot different by the end of the season but these guys are proven commodities at the position.

3A All-State Team: Defense

EDGE: Tyson Williams Tyson Williams 6'4" | 215 lbs | EDGE Shelby | 2028 State NC , Shelby

DL: Jermaine Dashiell, Northeastern

DL: DJ Joyce, Mount Airy

EDGE: Jason Arrowood Jason Arrowood 6'3" | 200 lbs | EDGE/TE East Rutherford | 2026 State NC , East Rutherford

LB: Jalaythan Mayfield Jalaythan Mayfield 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Lincolnton | 2027 State NC , Lincolnton

LB: Camereon Cartlidge Camereon Cartlidge 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Walkertown | 2026 State NC , Walkertown

LB: Jaylin Mallory Jaylin Mallory 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Northeastern | 2026 State NC , Northeastern

DB: EJ Ruffin EJ Ruffin 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB/LB Ayden-Grifton | 2026 State NC , Ayden-Grifton

DB: David Zeleya, James Kenan

DB: Devaun Brewington Devaun Brewington 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Greene Central | 2026 State NC , Greene Central

DB: Jayden Williams Jayden Williams 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Shelby | 2026 State NC , Shelby

Flex: Jalen Burrell, Hertford County

Analysis: This is a strong defense, especially at linebacker, where some of the top defenders in the state (regardless of classification) reside. A couple of two-way guys came close to making the list on both sides of the ball, as Princeton’s Teo McPhatter Teo McPhatter 5'10" | 140 lbs | RB Princeton | 2028 State NC nearly made the list at safety and Ayden-Grifton’s EJ Ruffin EJ Ruffin 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB/LB Ayden-Grifton | 2026 State NC makes it as a first-team defensive back and an Honorable Mention on offense.

3A Preseason Top 10

1. Shelby

2. Mount Airy

3. Kinston

4. Whiteville

5. Northeastern

6. East Rutherford

7. Wallace Rose-Hill

8. East Surry

9. Farmville Central

10, Eastern Randolph

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We’ll have in-depth coverage of the 3A classification this season. To cover the entire state, we need your help. Send me stats, film, and updates on Twitter (@whelms21).