2029 Skill Position Newcomers: Winter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently released our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2029-north-carolina-high-school-football-rankings/">updated 2029 rankings</a>, and now it's time to break down the class. We'll intersperse pieces breaking down the newcomers and stock-risers with big-picture pieces analyzing the freshman class as a whole. Here, we're evaluating every offensive skill player </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: If you missed our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2029-offensive-stock-risers-winter/">offensive stock-risers</a> or "<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-things-to-know-about-the-2029-class-winter/">3 Things To Know</a>" about the 2029 class pieces, check them out.</em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newly-Ranked 2029 RBs and WRs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2072205"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cce521116a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pearsall-Brown didn't truly factor into Hough's veteran receiver rotation, but he gained some valuable experience at the varsity level late in games. He already has a college-ready body, and schools are taking notice. He has the size, speed, and ball skills to be an elite prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2005242"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cce52111ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis isn't the biggest guy, but he was a contributor for one of the top offenses in the state. He's a technical route-runner with speed to get behind the defense. He also has sure hands, and it shouldn't be a surprise that he was able to make an impact for Grimsley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2113392"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cce521120f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have Lindsey listed as a running back, but we could put him at wide receiver or linebacker, as well. He played well in all three phases of the game as a freshman, flashing as a kick returner and linebacker, too. He's a guy we're looking forward to scouting further over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2099488"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cce5211251"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Strickland finished the year as one of the top big-play receivers in the freshman class, with over 20 yards per catch and five touchdowns. He wasn't a huge volume guy in terms of targets, but was able to get behind the defense several times throughout the season to make game-changing plays. He had five catches of at least 40 yards, and with speed and ball skills, there's an argument to be made that he needs more touches next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2106448"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cce521128f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Durham was fifth or sixth on the depth chart as a freshman, but with great size and an offense that loves to run the ball, he earned several opportunities to play in 2025. He averaged over six yards a carry and showed speed to the edge and power through arm tackles. A multi-sport athlete, Durham excels on the basketball court, and with four departing seniors in the running back room, he should have a chance to earn a bigger role in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2099358"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-698cce52112ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The only tight end currently in our 2029 rankings, Harrison may not ultimately end up at that position. North Stokes moves Harrison around the formation often, and he'll line up as a slot receiver, in-line tight end, and H-Back, and it's in that final role that I'm most intrigued by his combination of speed and ball skills. A two-way athlete, he's an intriguing prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, reevaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->