Top 50 of 2025: State Champions Highlight No. 41-50

We just dropped our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/top-50-of-2025/">Top 50 of 2025</a> (Click the link for a detailed breakdown of the criteria), and we want to break down every player on that list. Here, we're starting with the last 10 players to make the list, highlighted by four players who made their respective state championship game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 50 of 2025: No. 41-50</h2>   50) [player_tooltip player_id='1851677' first='Jacob' last='Moore'], QB, Terry Sanford   Moore played an integral part in multiple upsets early in the season, including a huge 46-44 win over Seventy-First in the opening week. He accounted for 43 total touchdowns and just two interceptions in 2025.   49) [player_tooltip player_id='1301243' first='Keland' last='Shelton Jr'], Ath., Providence   There are few players who meant as much to their respective teams as Shelton meant to Providence. A two-way player, Shelton was at his best at the end of the season. In back-to-back games against Ardrey Kell (in the season finale and first round of the playoffs) Shelton had seven sacks, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble.   48) [player_tooltip player_id='1543812' first='Camereon' last='Cartlidge'], LB, Walkertown   Few players in the state are around the ball as often as Cartlidge, who again put up well over 100 tackles. It's a legitimate number, too, as his film pops. He helped lead a Walkertown defense that allowed just 15 points per game. The North Carolina Central commit both raised his stock and playe as well as any linebacker in the game.   47) [player_tooltip player_id='850278' first='Nick' last='Kashubara'], OL, Grimsley   Grimsley's offensive linemen were the unsung heroes of the state championship run, led by Kashubara at right tackle. In the final two rounds of the playoffs, htheyandled two of the best defensive lines in the state, and Kashubara had dozens of clean wins, some over top FBS commits.   46) [player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla'], QB, Middle Creek   Sevilla had a huge junior season, his first as a varsity starter. He got better as the season went on, setting a season-high in rushing in Round 1, then putting up back-to-back 340-yard, three-touchdown games en route to Middle Creek's first state championship appearance.   45) [player_tooltip player_id='651159' first='Braylon' last='Clark'], WR, Charlotte Country Day   The top player in our 2028 rankings, Clark had a huge season as one of three sophomores to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. He scored 14 touchdowns on the year, including four in a shootout against Charlotte Christian, and was one of the top NCISAA players in the state.   44) [player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.'], RB, Reagan   We considered a couple of other Reagan players in this exclusive list, but settled on Evans, who finished the season with over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Reagan's entire game plan revolved around trust in the sophomore, as they played with a slow pace and relied on the defense and Evans' ability to wear down opponents. In a key 4-5 matchup against Mooresville, Evans ran for 266 yards and two touchdowns.   43) [player_tooltip player_id='1656365' first='Tayden' last='McPhatter'], Ath. Garner   Garner was one of the surprisingly good teams this season, falling just short of the regional finals. While the Trojans were one of the best top-to-bottom teams in the state, it was McPhatter who stepped up when they needed a play. He was huge on both sides of the ball and as a kick returner, consistently flipping field position with huge plays.   42) [player_tooltip player_id='2075151' first='Ethan' last='Nelson'], Ath., Wilson Prep   Nelson was huge for the 1A State Champion Wilson Prep Tigers on both sides of the ball, finishing as the team's leader in scoring, receiving, tackles, and finishing second in rushing with over 1,100 yards. Beyond that, he ended the year with one of the most clutch field goals you'll ever see, as he connected on the team's first and only kcik of the year to win the state championship.   41) [player_tooltip player_id='2085724' first='CJ' last='Dickerson'], DL, Hunt   Dickerson led a dominant Hunt defensive line with 15 sacks from the interior on a team that made the state championship. Part of the reason Crest was able to beat the Warriors was that the Chargers were the first team to keep Dickerson from living in the backfield, via quick throws and misdirection. He was dominant for the entire season and was a large part of the reason Hunt was able to go 12-3.   We'll continue to have plenty of in-depth content on our top 50—why they're there and what you should know about them. Make sure to follow @<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNC">PrepRedzoneNC</a> for the latest on camp coverage, rankings updates, and more.

We just dropped our Top 50 of 2025 (Click the link for a detailed breakdown of the criteria), and we want to break down every player on that list. Here, we're starting with the last 10 players to make the list, highlighted by four players who made their respective state championship game.