Top Players at Each Position Eliminated in Round 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most of our content is forward-facing, but here, I'm looking back at the weekend. 20 teams were eliminated across the state as 1A and 8A have their state championship matchups, and the 2A-7A quarterfinals cut down 16 other teams. We'll have plenty of time to talk about the players still alive, but here, I'm looking at the best players at each position who were eliminated last Friday. I'm mostly using our Prep Redzone Rankings for each class, though I'm using some of my own opinions, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Players Eliminated in Round 4</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback: [player_tooltip player_id='1321007' first='Jamouri' last='Nichols'], West Charlotte</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nichols's fantastic junior season came to an end in a 24-0 loss to Hough. The top quarterback in our 2027 rankings, he still doesn't have the recruiting interest that we've expected, but that could change after a 2,000-yard passing, 500-yard rushing season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street'],</strong> Independence; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600197' first='Tydreke' last='Powell Jr'].,</strong> Southeast Raleigh</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Running Back: [player_tooltip player_id='1124842' first='Jayden' last='Jones'], Independence</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones was held largely in check by Weddington, both by the impressive defensive front and the game script, as the Patriots fell behind early. That shouldn't take away from his huge senior season. Jones ran for over 1100 yards and 14 touchdowns on under 150 carries, flashing on special teams and as a pass-catcher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169882' first='Zach' last='Cullen']</strong>, Sun Valley; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378921' first='Christian' last='Freeman']</strong>, Southeast Raleigh, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.']</strong>, Reagan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receiver: Desyn Durrand, Hoggard</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The competition was tight here, but Durrand gets the nod due to his play down the stretch and how he went out. Hoggard wasn't known for its ability to run the ball, and against a fantastic Millbrook front, the Vikings had to go to the air, as Durrand finished with 92 yards and a touchdown against a team that hadn't been tested like that all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321100' first='Rakim' last='Finch']</strong>, West Charlotte; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665255' first='Kamren' last='Freeman']</strong>, Northern Nash; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1299433' first='Donte' last='Nicholson']</strong>, West Charlotte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line: [player_tooltip player_id='1698756' first='Eisa' last='Evans'], Reagan</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans headed a strong offensive front that was tasked with imposing its will game in and game out. The Raiders trusted their front so much that the offensive game plan was essentially to wear down defenses and win four-quarter games. It worked until Grimsley hit some long pass plays to force the Raiders into passing. Even then, Evans and the Reagan offensive line held up well in protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607843' first='Khalil' last='Hansley-McNair']</strong>, West Charlotte; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='946623' first='Nori' last='White']</strong>, Independence; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301238' first='Elijah' last='Shoe']</strong>, Jay M. Robinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Interior Defensive Line: [player_tooltip player_id='1607751' first='Nathanael' last='Kamba'], Corvian Community</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamba didn't have an overly exciting year from a statistical standpoint, but his movement skills at 280 pounds are undeniable. He also played a lot of offensive line this season, but he's destined for a future spot at the Power Four level as a disruptive interior defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1706217' first='Duncan' last='Obst']</strong>, Union Pines; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473951' first='Sam' last='Johnson']</strong>, West Charlotte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Edge: [player_tooltip player_id='1617737' first='King' last='Kalama'], Reagan</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kalama had a massive season with nine sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss. The all-conference selection retooled his body in the offseason, and it absolutely paid off. We already moved him up the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 rankings</a> in October, but we may have to again, as he looks like a top prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648670' first='Keysaun' last='Eleazer']</strong>, Southeast Raleigh; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113123' first='Landen' last='Harding']</strong>, Robinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker: [player_tooltip player_id='1170182' first='Elijah' last='Littlejohn'], West Charlotte</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I personally was a bit late in moving on Littlejohn, who I saw as a smaller edge rusher rather than a true off-ball linebacker, but his movement skills were on full display this season, and the senior Georgia commit had a fantastic final season for the Lions. As you can tell, several impressive linebackers lost over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949642' first='Michael' last='Griffin Jr'].</strong>, West Charlotte; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1246060' first='Caleb' last='Gordon']</strong>, Ashbrook; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771231' first='Dallas' last='Brannon']</strong>, Independence; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1176263' first='Ennis' last='Stiles']</strong>, Robinson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back: [player_tooltip player_id='402298' first='Nick' last='Reddish'], Independence</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reddish gets the nod over a host of talented safeties because of what he meant to the Independence defense. More than a guy they can trust in coverage, Reddish can come up and play the run, and deliver punishment on the back end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1112733' first='Micah' last='Walker']</strong>, West Charlotte; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378926' first='Davion' last='Jones']</strong>, West Charlotte; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1397877' first='AJ' last='Randle']</strong>, Garner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Follow Prep Redzone for more high-quality coverage throughout the playoffs and offseason. Want to get in front of our scouts this offseason? Our next PRZ Carolinas Stock-Up Showcase is Dec. 7. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2124/register/stock-up-showcase-carolinas">Register here</a>. Promo Code HelmsWinterPRZ will get you $10 off registration. And don't forget to vote for our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/who-is-the-2025-prznc-player-of-the-year/">PRZNC Player of the Year</a>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->