Carolina Sharks Offense Deep Dive

Heading into its 11th season, the Carolina Sharks 7v7 program continues to stand as one of the most consistent and respected travel football brands in the southeast region of North Carolina. Built on development, exposure, and long-term athlete growth, the Sharks have evolved from a local offseason training group into a proven pipeline for high school standouts and next-level prospects. What makes this season unique isn't just the milestone year — it's the youth movement. With only two seniors and a handful of juniors, this roster has a fresh, hungry look. Sophomores and freshmen now make up the core of the team, signaling a new era built on development, chemistry, and upside. As we break down this year's squad, we start with the offensive skill guys — the playmakers who will shape the identity of this young but talented Sharks team.    [player_tooltip player_id='1271067' first='KJ' last='Jackson'] steps into this season as one of the key tone-setters for this young Carolina Sharks squad. The Grays Creek signal-caller brings a strong arm, natural leadership qualities, and the type of presence you look for at the quarterback position. He can make every throw on the route tree look effortless — whether he's in rhythm from the pocket or forced to adjust his platform, the ball still jumps off his hand with velocity and control.   What stands out most about KJ is how catchable the football is. He consistently delivers a clean, intentional pass that allows receivers to stay in stride and make plays after the catch. There's purpose behind his decisions — he doesn't just throw the ball, he places it. When he's on the field, the natural talent is obvious, but it's his command and intentional approach that give this young Sharks offense real stability heading into the season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1719071' first='Eric' last='Kline'] brings a gunslinger's mentality with the poise of a true field general. The Westover High School quarterback can make every throw on the field, and he's at his best when he's stretching defenses vertically. Kline loves to push the ball downfield and challenge coverage, but what separates him is his willingness to take what the defense gives him underneath. He understands progression and doesn't force plays unnecessarily.   He has the ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes and mechanics, moving safeties and creating throwing windows before the ball ever leaves his hand. Pair that with a strong arm and a fearless approach, and you get a quarterback who isn't afraid of big moments. Kline carries himself with the guts and leadership of a winner — the type of competitor who teammates naturally rally behind.     [player_tooltip player_id='1655441' first='Riley' last='Collins'] is the type of back that changes the energy of an offense the moment he touches the football. The East Bladen standout is a powerful runner with breakaway speed — arguably one of the fastest athletes on this Sharks roster. Once he hits the second level, it's usually over. He runs with controlled aggression, combining strength and acceleration in a way that makes defenders take poor angles.   What makes Collins even more impressive is his stoic presence. His emotions never waver. Big play, tough loss, long drive — he stays even-keeled and locked in. With the ball in his hands, he's electric, but between the whistles he carries himself like a quiet professional. He can also make tough catches in traffic, showing that he's more than just a downhill runner.   At 6'0" with a strong frame, Collins has the build to comfortably reach 180–190 pounds at the next level without losing his speed. Add in his relentless work ethic, and you're looking at a high-upside back who embodies the developmental foundation this 11th-season Sharks team is built on.     [player_tooltip player_id='1707209' first='Wayne' last='Claiborne III'] is a true playmaker in every sense of the word. Despite not having the prototypical size some may look for, he's a genuine difference maker whenever he steps on the field. Claiborne has a knack for showing up in big moments, making spectacular catches and turning routine plays into explosive gains.   He understands space at an advanced level — finding soft spots in coverage, separating quickly, and once the ball is in his hands, he can really run. What separates Wayne from others is his toughness. He's more than what meets the eye. In traditional football settings, he's tough enough to run between the tackles and handle contact, but in the 7v7 game he becomes a true weapon — dynamic in space, sudden in his movements, and fearless attacking the ball in traffic.   Claiborne embodies the versatility and competitive edge this young Sharks roster is building around.     [player_tooltip player_id='2045391' first='Ouziyiah' last='Reaves'] is the first JV player we're evaluating this season, and he's already proven he belongs in the conversation. The Seventy-First standout was voted the Most Valuable Offensive Player on an undefeated JV squad — and the production backs it up. Reaves has the ability to score from anywhere on the field. One crease, one missed tackle, and he's gone.   A true all-purpose back (APB), Reaves gives us versatility that's hard to teach. While he naturally plays running back, we'll feature him heavily in the slot this season — and that speaks volumes about his skill set. He's fast, tough, and explosive in space, but he also has the route-running ability to stress defenses at every level. He can run the full route tree, separate quickly, and finish plays after the catch.   For a young player, his confidence and playmaking ability stand out. Reaves represents the future core of this Sharks program — dynamic, versatile, and ready for bigger stages.     London Wilder may be one of the most physically gifted athletes on this entire roster. The Socastee product is powerfully built — he looks like a true between-the-tackles running back when you first see him step off the bus. Strong frame, compact power, and natural balance through contact. But what makes Wilder special is that he pairs that build with elite speed.   He has the ability to score from anywhere on the field. Inside run, quick screen, wheel route, or catch-and-go in space — once he gets a crease, he can flip the field in seconds. His toughness stands out immediately. He welcomes contact, finishes runs, and competes at a high level every rep.   Add in his great leaping ability and natural explosion, and you're looking at eye-popping talent. Wilder is the type of versatile all-purpose back who forces defenses to adjust personnel and coverage. Built like a power back, moves like a track athlete — that combination is rare.     [player_tooltip player_id='2134396' first='Nick' last='Smith'] might be one of the most naturally gifted athletes on this entire Sharks roster. At E.E. Smith, he primarily plays quarterback, showcasing his overall athletic ability and understanding of the game. But within our offensive system, he'll slide into a more natural position at receiver — and that's where his ceiling truly expands.   Standing at 6'2" and close to 200 pounds, Smith has the size, frame, and physical tools that immediately stand out. He's also a standout basketball player, and you can see that translate directly to the football field — body control, timing, leaping ability, and comfort playing above the rim. He can jump over you and run past you.   The moment he steps on the field, he's a scoring threat. Whether it's a contested catch in traffic, a vertical shot down the sideline, or turning a short pass into a long gain, Smith has the versatility to do just about anything. With his build, athleticism, and competitive edge, he brings matchup problems that defenses simply can't ignore.     [player_tooltip player_id='2134402' first='Chris' last='Brown'] is our first senior athlete on this roster, and his journey has been anything but typical. After transferring away — even spending time in Alabama — and then returning during his high school years, his recruiting path took some unexpected turns. Unfortunately, the movement impacted his exposure. But make no mistake: the talent never left.   At 6'3", Brown is a monster at the receiver position. He's a true mismatch the moment he lines up. Corners struggle with his size, safeties struggle with his speed, and linebackers simply can't run with him. What's deceptive about Brown is how fluid he moves for someone built the way he is. You don't immediately realize how fast he actually is — until he's running past defenders. A verified 4.5 runner at his size, paired with his natural catching ability, is rare.   He high points the football, shields defenders with his frame, and creates separation in ways that don't always show up on paper but jump off the film. For a young Sharks roster, having a senior with his physical tools and experience gives this offense a legitimate go-to weapon and leadership presence.     [player_tooltip player_id='2134407' first='Jamarien' last='Graham'] might be the most surprising prospect on this roster — and possibly the most complete receiver in the group. Coming from a run-heavy program, his opportunities to showcase his pass-catching ability have been limited. But when you see him work in space and run routes consistently, it becomes clear: the talent is real.   Graham can flat-out run. He has the speed to stretch the field vertically, but what makes him different is how polished he is as a route runner. He understands leverage, spacing, and timing. His play comprehension is advanced, and he doesn't just rely on athleticism — he wins with detail.   Add in strong, reliable hands and the ability to adjust to the football naturally, and you're looking at a total package. He has the tools to line up inside or outside and be productive immediately. Keep an eye on this prospect — as his opportunities increase, so will the attention around his name.     [player_tooltip player_id='2134386' first='Bryant' last='Latham'] is the largest target in this Sharks offense, and at nearly 6'4", he immediately creates matchup problems. Long frame, wide catch radius, and natural athleticism — Latham is a physical specimen with serious upside.   What separates him isn't just size — it's his hands. He has some of the best hands on the entire team. He's a natural pass catcher who doesn't fight the football. The ball looks comfortable in his hands, whether it's thrown high, low, or outside his frame.   Even more impressive, Latham can run routes like a true receiver. He gets in and out of his breaks with fluidity, showing body control that you don't always see from a player his size. He can line up attached, flexed out, or even outside and still create separation.   With his build and movement skills, Latham has the tools to become a serious mismatch weapon in this offense. Big target. Soft hands. Receiver movement in a tight end body. That combination is rare — and dangerous.     [player_tooltip player_id='1858552' first='Jahmari' last='Davis'] may be one of the youngest players on this roster, but you wouldn't know it by the way he carries himself on the field. Playing as an 8th grader last season gave him early experience, and that maturity shows up in his approach and reliability.   Davis is already one of the most dependable athletes we have. He understands spacing, will sit down in zone coverage, and presents a clean, easy target for the quarterback. His hands are strong and consistent — he attacks the football and rarely lets a pass hit the ground.   With good size for his age and a naturally physical style of play, Davis creates separation in ways that aren't always flashy but are extremely effective. He's comfortable using his body, finishing through contact, and winning in traffic. The upside here is tremendous. As he continues to grow and develop physically, he has the tools to become a serious mismatch at the WR/TE hybrid spot for years to come.     [player_tooltip player_id='2002826' first='Javion' last='Phillips'] is another JV superstar from last season who is ready to take a major step forward. What stands out immediately about Phillips is how powerful and precise his route running is. He doesn't drift through routes — he attacks them. Every break is intentional, every stem has purpose, and that detail allows him to consistently create separation.   His movement quickness paired with his overall speed makes him tough to stay attached to in coverage. He plays fast — not just timed speed, but football speed. The game doesn't overwhelm him. He processes quickly and reacts even faster.   Phillips has the versatility to be a strong possession receiver, moving the chains and winning in tight windows, or stretch the field on the outside. He's truly a diamond in the rough, and as he heads into the next few years of high school ball, he's positioned to really shine. The foundation is there — now it's about opportunity and consistency.     Jaden “Scoot” Lewis is one of the most explosive young talents in this program. The East Bladen breakout star put the state on notice this past season, scoring over 20 touchdowns and showing he can flip a game in an instant. Every time he touches the ball, there's a real chance it's going the distance.   Scoot is a true speed demon with natural playmaking ability. He primarily plays running back for his school, but in our system, he'll line up both outside and inside at receiver — a testament to his versatility and football instincts. He's dynamic in space, sudden in his cuts, and dangerous after the catch.   What makes Lewis special is the burst. It's not just straight-line speed — it's how quickly he gets to top gear. He can take a short pass, a jet motion touch, or a swing route and turn it into six. Explosive, confident, and productive, Scoot adds another big-play dimension to this young Sharks offense.     [player_tooltip player_id='2134347' first='Josh' last='Wallace'] is a true diamond in the rough. The Glenn standout brings something you simply can't teach — a coach's son mentality. His football IQ is extremely high, and his communication skills are just as impressive. He understands spacing, leverage, timing, and situational football at an advanced level for his age.   Wallace is a natural leader and one of the most reliable players on the roster. If a route is called at 12 yards, he's at 12 yards. If he's supposed to sit in a window, he's sitting in it. Quarterbacks love receivers like that — dependable, detailed, and disciplined.   On top of that intelligence, he has the physical tools to match. Great hands. Great speed. He tracks the ball naturally and finishes plays consistently. With the right opportunity and volume, Wallace can be a dynamic receiver in this offense. And once the ball is in his hands, he's strong enough to break tackles like a running back, turning routine completions into explosive plays.   High IQ, high character, high ceiling — Wallace is the type of player every winning program needs.

Heading into its 11th season, the Carolina Sharks 7v7 program continues to stand as one of the most consistent and respected travel football brands in the southeast region of North Carolina. Built on development, exposure, and long-term athlete growth, the Sharks have evolved from a local offseason training group into a proven pipeline for high school standouts and next-level prospects. What makes this season unique isn't just the milestone year — it's the youth movement. With only two seniors and a handful of juniors, this roster has a fresh, hungry look. Sophomores and freshmen now make up the core of the team, signaling a new era built on development, chemistry, and upside. As we break down this year's squad, we start with the offensive skill guys — the playmakers who will shape the identity of this young but talented Sharks team.