Prep Redzone 8A Preseason All-State Team

The season is imminent, and we've been previewing the best players in the state through our all-state teams. We've already looked at all but the largest classification. Who makes our preseason list for the newly-formed 8A class? Find out with our Prep Redzone 8A Preseason All-State Team.

Other All-State Teams:

QB: Jamouri Nichols Jamouri Nichols 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB West Charlotte | 2027 State NC , West Charlotte

QB: Gannon Jones Gannon Jones 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Cardinal Gibbons | 2026 State NC , Cardinal Gibbons

RB: Amir Brown Amir Brown 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Rolesville | 2027 State NC , Rolesville

RB: Brilison McCullers Brilison McCullers 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Millbrook | 2026 State NC , Millbrook

WR: Tyran Evans Tyran Evans 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Hough | 2026 State NC , Hough

WR: Gavin Waddell Gavin Waddell 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Rolesville | 2026 State NC , Rolesville

WR: Anthony Roberts Anthony Roberts 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Rolesville | 2027 State NC , Rolesville

TE: Quinn Rucker Quinn Rucker 6'1" | 190 lbs | TE South Mecklenburg | 2026 State NC , South Mecklenburg

OL: Jarvis Potts Jarvis Potts 6'4" | 310 lbs | OL Hough | 2026 State NC , Hough

OL: Lucas Tselentis Lucas Tselentis 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Providence | 2026 State NC , Providence

OL: Jamaare Williams Jamaare Williams 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Palisades | 2026 State NC , Palisades

OL: Khalil Hansley-McNair Khalil Hansley-McNair 6'2" | 315 lbs | OL West Charlotte | 2027 State NC , West Charlotte

OL: Austin Ballou Austin Ballou 6'6" | 315 lbs | OL Mallard Creek | 2028 State NC , Mallard Creek

Flex: Rakem Hammock Rakem Hammock 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Northwest Guilford | 2027 State NC , Northwest Guilford

Analysis: Yes, I kind of cheated by including two quarterback slots, but I did not feel comfortable picking one guy. I made the list, and thus the rules, and I picked two. As you can see by the honorable mentions, it'll be a dogfight to pick a first-team quarterback at the end of the year.

The skill positions are loaded at the 8A level, largely thanks to some of the state's top teams. Rolesville puts three on the list, all at receiver or running back, with a couple of others hovering just off the first team. West Charlotte and Hough also put multiple players on the offense, while Millbrook's loaded offense has one on the first team and a couple of others in as honorable mentions.

Edge: Rodney Dunham Rodney Dunham 6'4" | 225 lbs | EDGE Myers Park | 2026 State NC , Myers Park

DL: Cory Cunningham Cory Cunningham 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL/EDGE Providence | 2028 State NC , Providence

DL: PJ Dean PJ Dean 6'4" | 270 lbs | DL West Forsyth | 2026 State NC , West Forsyth

Edge: Rashad Streets Rashad Streets 6'4" | 230 lbs | EDGE Millbrook | 2027 State NC , Millbrook

LB: Quinton Cypher Quinton Cypher 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB Millbrook | 2027 State NC , Millbrook

LB: Michael Griffin Jr Michael Griffin Jr 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB West Charlotte | 2027 State NC ., West Charlotte

LB: Skylar Alston Skylar Alston 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Cardinal Gibbons | 2028 State NC , Cardinal Gibbons

DB: Samari Matthews Samari Matthews 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Hough | 2026 State NC , Hough

DB: Nicholas Rankin Nicholas Rankin 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Palisades | 2027 State NC , Palisades

DB: Marquis Bryant Marquis Bryant 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Rolesville | 2027 State NC , Rolesville

DB: Braylon Peebles Braylon Peebles 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB Cardinal Gibbons | 2026 State NC : Cardinal Gibbons

DB: Camdin Portis Camdin Portis 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Myers Park | 2026 State NC : Myers Park

Flex: Elijah Littlejohn Elijah Littlejohn 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB/EDGE West Charlotte | 2026 State NC , LB/Edge, West Charlotte

Analysis: There are a few things to note here, especially regarding numbers. First, yes, there are 13 players on the first team here. I couldn't narrow down, so I gave the defense a back five and added another flex. Second, though 8A is the classification with the state's biggest schools, it's a smaller classification in terms of overall teams. There are just over 30 teams in this class, or less than 10% of the total public schools in the state, which is why we have some schools with several players.

Cardinal Gibbons adds two talented names to this list, while West Charlotte, Millbrook, and Myers Park each add two to the defense.

1. Rolesville

2. Cardinal Gibbons

3. Millbrook

4. West Charlotte

5. Hough

6. Hoggard

7. C.E. Jordan

8. Mallard Creek

9. South Mecklenburg

10. Apex Friendship

Analysis: Maybe my Raleigh bias is showing, but I like the teams in the RDU area this year. I have Rolesville and Cardinal Gibbons as the clear 1-2. But, I'm most intrigued by Millbrook, as the Wildcats could have more consistent QB play with Bryson Gray Bryson Gray 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Millbrook | 2027 State NC getting a full season as a starter, rather than playing in a two-quarterback system. Hoggard is a team that could make some serious noise, while newcomers for Hough, C.E. Jordan, and Mallard Creek will need to step up and join returning stars if those teams hope to make a postseason run.

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We'll have in-depth coverage of the 8A classification this season. To cover the entire state, we need your help. Send me stats, film, and updates on Twitter (@whelms21).